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ew Zealand extends
1,600km (1000 miles)
from sub-tropical North-
land (36° S) to the
world’s most southerly
grape growing region
Central Otago (46° S).
Vineyards benefit from
the moderating effect
of
the maritime climate
(no vineyard is more
than 120km, or 80
miles, from the ocean)
with long sunshine
hours and nights
cooled by sea
breezes.
New Zea-
land wine is
distinctive
for its purity,
vibrancy
and inten-
sity. The
long ripen-
ing period
- a result of
cool tem-
peratures
- allows
flavor de-
velopment
whilst re-
taining fresh
acidity, a balance
for which New
Zealand wines are
renowned.
There are a
number of distinct
major winegrow-
ing regions spread
throughout New
Zealand, with
the majority on
the East coast of
the Islands in the
rain shadow of the
mountains. Within these diverse regions,
sub-regional characteristics are begin-
ning to show through and wines are
now being distinguished as being not
just from a wine region, but from a sub-
region and a place. We hope you enjoy
discovering our regions and producers.
In 2012 a new Vineyard Register was
established to facilitate the
maintenance of
accurate and up-
to-date statistics
on the sector’s
vineyard produc-
tive capacity.
Accurate data
on the vineyard
area provides
vital information
to assist with un-
derstanding future
production capa-
bility, infrastructure
planning, biosecu-
rity management,
disaster response
purposes, and
pest and disease
manage-
ment. The
Vineyard Register
replaces the
previous Vineyard
Survey conducted by New Zealand
Winegrowers (NZW). The last full
Survey was undertaken in 2009. Due
to low participation rates in the 2011
Survey, the NZW Board decided to
implement the Vineyard Register and
make it a requirement to have completed
a current registration as a require-