A wine lover’s guide to New Zealand

Saturday, 17 January 2026

Arduous work: Jo Cribb samples wine from all across Aotearoa to find the best drops.

Nothing screams summer more than a roadie; a themed roadie is even better. Given New Zealand makes some of the best wine in the world, and wine regions are scattered the length of our country, get rolling with the rosés on the highway to the terroir zone. Grab your bingo (wingo) card and escape with Your Weekend’s resident wine writer, Jo Cribb.

Northern lights

Lush, sub-tropical Northland doesn’t grow many grapes, but what it does produces full-bodied and ripely flavoured chardonnay and pinot gris. But it’s probably best-known for its reds, especially syrah and merlot. Find cellar doors clustered around coastal Whāngarei, the Bay of Islands and Kaitāia.

From Northland to the deep South, Cribb sought out the best wines to share in her summer wine guide.

Heading south, Waiheke Island is a must-do. Sip gutsy syrah and elegant chardonnay watching the sunset over magnificent sea vistas. As is West Auckland, one of the oldest wine growing areas in the country. In Kumeū and Cleveland, you will find classic chardonnay and juicy merlot.

After visiting Kemp House and the Stone Store (two of New Zealand’s oldest buildings), enjoy a chilled pinot gris at a cellar door or local restaurant.

Arrive by boat or road for the ultimate luxury wine tasting experience and lunch at The Landing.

Watch the sunset over the sparkling Hauraki Gulf at Waiheke Island’s Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant.

Head East

There’s nothing like a roadie with a themed purpose, writes Jo Cribb.

Gisborne’s intense summer sun and warm winters make it a powerhouse of New Zealand wine, where large volumes of luscious grapes are produced. In the mix are a scattering of boutique wineries that make superb chardonnay, rich gewürztraminer, fragrant pinot gris and vibrant viognier.

Further down the coast, Hawke’s Bay awaits to delight you. It’s worth parking up for a few days to explore the different subregions. Like the coastal areas of Te Awanga with its premium chardonnays and classic pinot noir. Try the luscious reds produced on the sun drenched hillsides of Havelock North. Driving through the open, flat alluvial plains of the Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa you are going to find premium reds and whites, while grapes grown on the side of the many river valleys produce crisp sauvignon blanc and pinot gris.

Taste and stay at the home of some of New Zealand’s best chardonnay at Gisborne’s Matawhero Wines; or explore unique biodynamic wines at Millton Vineyard and Winery. Do not leave the Hawke’s Bay without trying a velvety syrah from the Gimblett Gravels or Bridge Pa. A favourite lunch spot is Oak Estate, which happens to produce magnificent syrah.

Dine in world-class luxury without world-class prices with Craggy Range’s famous set menus.

Rimutaka rewards

The Wairarapa is most famous for pinot noir, with some 20 boutique vineyards around Martinborough producing high-quality wines in small quantities. Be charmed by the rural landscape dotted with small, family-owned boutique wineries all easily explored by bicycle.

Head to Martinborough’s colonial square, hire a bike and spend the day cycling between cellar doors.

Recharge with a vineyard platter at Nga Waka, Poppies or Moy Hall.

Spin yarns and sip local pinot noir at an outside table at the Martinborough Hotel.

Top of the south

Two thirds of New Zealand’s vines call Marlborough home. With 30 cellar doors, you will not be short of world-renowned sauvignon blanc, rising star pinot noir, chardonnay, sparkling cuvée or pinot gris to taste. Riding through Rapaura and Renwick is a must.

If that’s not enough, Nelson’s sunshine means it produces high quality wines with boutique producers found on the Waimea Plains and Moutere hills.

Sip a sauvignon blanc at the source in the Wairau Valley and admire the wine that put NZ on the map.

Search out greenshell mussels and other seafood delights to pair with these crisp white wines .

Pedal the scenic 6km Marlborough Wine Trail.

Limestone legends

North Canterbury’s Waipara is the fastest growing wine region. Hilly areas of limestone clay and wide alluvial plains are perfect for growing rich spicy pinot noir, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. But it's riesling where this region comes into its own.

Made in a range of styles from bone dry to syrupy, there is a riesling ready for everyone.

Assemble a picnic at Pegasus Bay Winery’s

mini deli and lose yourself in the extensive gardens with a bottle of its finest.

Try different styles of riesling to

find the one you like best .

Eat at the highly-awarded Black Estate Winery, pairing organic and biodynamic food and wine.

Southern comfort

It’s a region of extremes: scorching summers, icy winters. Bannockburn is the hottest and driest, with the shores of Lake Wānaka cooler. Just like the rugged terrain, Central Otago wines are known for their intensity, structure and complexity. World-class pinot noir is the star of this region that also produces excellent riesling, pinot gris and chardonnay.

Slightly north, a long braided river snakes itself from the Southern Alps to the coast creating the Waitaki Valley. Here limestone and greywacke river gravels and intense summer sun provide the ideal setting to grow rich, flavoursome pinot noir, pinot gris, riesling and chardonnay.

Gaze at The Remarkables with a glass of world-class pinot noir in hand.

Check out the Gibbston Valley of Vines where you can pair wine tasting with extreme sports. I’ll take a bungee with my blush rosé, thanks.

Take a well deserved rest on the Central Otago Cycle Trail at one of Waitaki’s picturesque cellar doors.

* Sample responsibly. Don’t drink and drive.