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closeness to
the sea (nowhere
is the sea
more than 50
kilometers
away) give the
North-
land region an
almost
subtropical
climate
– humid, sunny
and
warm. With the
coun-
try’s highest aver-
age
annual tempera-
ture,
the total amount of
heat
available to the
vines to ripen their
grapes during the
growing season is
greater in North-
land than in any
of the country’s
other wine re-
gions. Soils are
mainly clay-rich
loam soils over
a sub-soil of
compact clay,
with most of the
region’s land
lying below 150
meters.
In terms of wines
styles, the regions
tropical Chardon-
nays, popular
Pinot Gris and vi-
brant Viogniers are
leading the white
wine growth, whilst
red wines include
spicy Syrahs, stylish
Cabernet / Merlot
blends, peppery Pinotages
and complex Chambourcin.
AUCKLAND
Henderson, Kumeu and
Huapai to the northwest
of
Auckland’s city center have a long
winemaking tradition and boast an array
of both world renowned and boutique
wineries. Chardonnay, Merlot and Cab-
ernet Sauvignon are popular varieties
grown with fine examples of Pinot Gris
and Pinot Noir also found.
Auckland’s vineyards have more recently
spread beyond Northwest Auckland into
Waiheke Island, Matakana and Clev-
edon.
Waiheke Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, a
short ferry ride from downtown Auckland,
was established from the early 1980’s as
a premium district for the production of
high quality red wines based on Cab-
ernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet
Franc. It has since expanded to include
Syrah, Chardonnay and other varietals
that perform particularly well in the
warm, dry summer climate of Waiheke.
Matakana, on the east coast about one
hour’s drive north of Auckland city is also
producing some classy wines, including
Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, plus reds
based on Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
and Syrah.
Auckland’s most recent premium wine
district, Clevedon has established small
pock-
ets of
vines
in the rolling
farmlands
about half an hour
south of the city.
A wide range of
varieties is cultivated
– including Merlot,
Cabernet Sauvi-
gnon, Syrah and
Chardonnay, plus
more unexpected
varieties such
as Nebbiolo,
Sangiovese and
Montepulciano.
Climatically,
Auckland enjoys
warm, primarily
frost-free condi-
tions with rela-
tively high rainfall.
Auckland vineyards
are established on
clay soils of volca-
nic, greywacke or
mixed alluvial origin.