Overview
Nelson sits at the northwestern tip of the South Island around the Moutere Hills and the Waimea Plains. Sheltered by western mountains and moderated by the sea, it is regularly one of New Zealand's sunniest regions, with mild temperatures and good diurnal variation. The modern industry was pioneered by German settler families in the 1970s, and today the compact region is known for its boutique, artisanal approach.
Sauvignon Blanc here is more restrained and textural than in Marlborough, with tropical fruit, herbal nuance, and a flinty mineral core. Pinot Noir ranges from pretty and perfumed on the Waimea Plains to weighty and structured in the Moutere Hills. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer complete a refined aromatic portfolio.
Key Varietals
- Sauvignon BlancAn elegant, restrained expression with lovely texture, minerality, and vivacious tropical fruit with fresh herbal notes.
- Pinot NoirExpressive and complex, showing fine ripe tannins, red-berry fruit, and earthy depth from clay-gravel soils.
- Pinot GrisAssured and fine-textured, with poised acidity, pear, stone fruit, and spicy ginger notes.
- ChardonnayRich and expressive, with citrus, stone fruit, and subtle nutty complexity alongside fresh acidity.