Northland Wine

Northland wine region, at the top of the country is where it all started for the New Zealand wine industry in the early nineteenth century, a reason why it is credited with the quote 'birthplace of New Zealand wine'.

New Zealand's smallest wine region is rather unique in a sense that the climate can be broadly classified as sub-tropical with warm growing conditions favoring red grape varieties, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. The region also produces rich Chardonnays.

Northland's vineyards are scattered over the three districts of Kaitaia on the north-west coast, Bay of Islands in the north-east and the outskirts of the city of Whangarei. These vineyards are sited on easy slopes based on sandy-clay soils with free-draining volcanic structures which are well-suited to the grapes grown in this part of the country.