A Sample of South Island Wineries

The scenery of the South Island will take your breath away no matter how many times you visit. In among some of the country’s most picturesque settings you will also find some of New Zealand’s best wineries. It’s home to the Marlborough region, the largest and best known wine region with over two-thirds of the nation’s vines. Most our of South Island tours visit wineries, but here are a few of our favourites should you choose to visit a winery in your free time.

Marlborough

Hugging the north west corner of the South Island, the Marlborough wine region took over the international wine stage thirty years ago with its award winning sauvignon blanc. From Chardonnay to Pinot Noir and the varietals in between, there is something for everyone produced here. It’s a young wine region, vines were first planted in 1973 by Montana wines who crept in from the North Island to put the first vines in under secrecy. A few setbacks later and their first sauvignon blanc was bottled under the Brancott Estate label. Cloudy Bay was the fifth vineyard established in 1985 is world renowned. The rest is history.

Nelson Tasman

Nelson’s maritime climate produces fine cool climate wines. Sample the Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc at the cellar door of the fully organic winery Mahana Estates. The Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is highly regarded at the Neudorf Winery, as is the picturesque setting amongst rolling hills. Taste Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris and savour the views from the cellar door at the Rimu Grove Vineyard on the Bronte Peninsula. For the time poor the Rimu Wine Bar on the Mapua Wharf is a cosy retreat where you can taste over 50 local wines.

Canterbury Waipara

The Canterbury Waipara wine region also created wine kudos on a short history. Spanning 200 kilometres, the region produces outstanding Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and fine aromatic wines. Explore 16 wineries on the Canterbury wine trail. Sample the Pinotage and Pinot Noir at Muddy Waters, the first certified organic winery in the region. The cellar door for regional award winners Greystone is located on the Hurunui bike and walking trail. Stop in to taste the organic Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Stop by the award winning restaurant at Pegasus Bay for a menu built around local flavours and the wine list.

Queenstown and Central Otago

Six sub-regions make up the southernmost wine region of New Zealand where the backdrop to vineyards is of stunning mountain ranges or vistas of lakes. Each region enjoys its own sub climate giving a uniqueness to the wine produced. An hour from Queenstown and Wanaka stop by Mt Difficulty Cellar Door and Winery to taste the Grower’s Series Pinot Noir or Riesling and enjoy the views from the restaurant. On the shores of Lake Wanaka visit Rippon, where you can taste 5-7 wines in a family informal setting with superb views. Just 25 kilometres from Queenstown tour the country’s largest wine cave for a tasting and see the winemakers at work at the Gibbston Valley Winery.