New Zealand

Climate

Maritime climate

Long sunshine hours → sun born + disease pressure = good canopy management

North Island → warmer and wetter

Souther Island → cooler, towards the continental climate

→ vineyards on the east side of the southern Alps = protection from the west winds

Star grape variety

Sauvignon Blanc

Signature = intense citrus fruit aromas, elderflower, passion fruit

North Island → warmer → tropical fruits

Souther Island → cooler → no tropical, higher acidity, green pepper, goosberry aromas

Other white grape varieties

Riesling

Chardonnay

Pinot Gris

Star black grape variety

Pinot Noir

high alcohol

vibrant fruit

riper tannins

smooth texture

Other black grape varieties

Cab Sav + Merlot

Syrah

Regions in the North Island

Auckland

Gisborne

Hawke’s Bay

Martinborough (in Wairarapa)

Auckland description and grapes

Traditional heart of wine production

Now the heart of headquarters, the production has moved elsewhere

The wettest part

Grapes:

• Chardonnay

• Merlot

• Syrah

Gisborne - topography and grapes

On a large estuary plain

Cooled by the ocean breezes + wet = diseases pressure

Long sunshine hours in the growin season

Grapes:

• Chardonnay

• Gewurztraminer

Hawke’s Bay - topography and grapes

The warmest area → Gimlette Gravels = gravel soil

Gravel → stores heat + well-drained

Longest sunshine hours

Grapes:

• Cab Sav + Merlot = Bordeaux Style

• Syrah

Martinborough - topography and grapes

High summer temperature

Wide diurnal range

HQ Pinot Noir

Regions in the South Island

Malborough

Nelson

Canterbury

Central Otago

Malborough - topography and grapes

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc

Two important valleys

Wairau → warmer = tropical fruits

Awatere → cooler = higher acidity, more herbaceous

Nelson - topography and grapes

Cooler and wetter

Exposed to maritime influences

Grapes:

• Sav Blanc

• Pinot Noir

• Pinot Gris

Canterbury - topography and grapes

Two parts

1. Waipara→ protected from the ocean → HQ Riesling

2. Plain → cooler

Grapes:

• Sauvignon Blanc

• Pinot Noir

Central Otago - topography and grapes

Continental climate

At the foothills of the Southern Alps

Large diurnal range + long sunshine hours

Grape:

Pinot Noir → full body, juicy and vibrant