Nelson Wine

Nelson is South Island's most northerly wine region and lies west of the famous wine region of Marlborough. Nelson has a unique grape-growing topography with the mountains on the western side of the island providing a rain shadow effect and the Tasman Bay on the north assisting to moderate temperature extremes. The region also boasts of plentiful sunshine during the growing season that helps to ripen the grapes to an extent where the flavors are truly reflected in the styles of wines produced, most of which are based on cool climate varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

Most of the vineyards in Nelson are scattered around the Waimea plains and the hills of Upper Moutere. The soils of the region are based on clay which, along with other distinct growing conditions are responsible for the particular characters of the wines from Nelson.