
New Zealand, Wairarapa
The New Zealand wine industry is one of the younger wine regions in the world, whose popularity grew immensely when Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc hit the world wine scene, quite unique in style when compared to the typical French Sancerre.
Wine is successfully cultivated on both the North and South islands from a latitude of 36 degrees in the North to 45 degrees for the most southerly wine region in the world, the south Island's Central Otago. The majority of regions are located in free-draining alluvial valleys except for Waiheke Island and Kawarau Gorge in Central Otago and benefit from the moderating effect of the maritime climate as no vineyard is more than 80 miles from the ocean. With plentiful sunshine hours and cool evening sea breezes, the grapes thrive.
Sauvignon Blanc is the major white variety people will think of when you mention New Zealand Whites, however fantastic Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and less commonly Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Blanc. Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red variety in New Zealand although Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (Bordeaux Blends), Syrah are also grown and in even smaller amounts, Tempranillo and Montepulcianos can too be found. Sparkling wines of very high standards are also made in New Zealand.
The key wine regions in New Zealand include Auckland, Canterbury, Central Otago, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough and Nelson.
Maori for 'glistening waters’, the Wairarapa is located in the south-east corner of New Zealand's North Island, about an hour away from Wellington. Amongst the small, quaint towns and rolling fields of livestock, you'll find some of New Zealand's finest wines.
The small community of boutique winemakers in the region work hard to preserve the unique terroir of the region. Wairarapa offers hot summers, cool nights, and long, dry autumns that are perfect for ripening. The strong winds and harsh, semi-maritime climate leads to low yields of healthy, small grapes with very thick skins - these grapes are treated with care to make some outstanding wine.
Wine is successfully cultivated on both the North and South islands from a latitude of 36 degrees in the North to 45 degrees for the most southerly wine region in the world, the south Island's Central Otago. The majority of regions are located in free-draining alluvial valleys except for Waiheke Island and Kawarau Gorge in Central Otago and benefit from the moderating effect of the maritime climate as no vineyard is more than 80 miles from the ocean. With plentiful sunshine hours and cool evening sea breezes, the grapes thrive.
Sauvignon Blanc is the major white variety people will think of when you mention New Zealand Whites, however fantastic Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and less commonly Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Blanc. Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red variety in New Zealand although Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (Bordeaux Blends), Syrah are also grown and in even smaller amounts, Tempranillo and Montepulcianos can too be found. Sparkling wines of very high standards are also made in New Zealand.
The key wine regions in New Zealand include Auckland, Canterbury, Central Otago, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough and Nelson.
Maori for 'glistening waters’, the Wairarapa is located in the south-east corner of New Zealand's North Island, about an hour away from Wellington. Amongst the small, quaint towns and rolling fields of livestock, you'll find some of New Zealand's finest wines.
The small community of boutique winemakers in the region work hard to preserve the unique terroir of the region. Wairarapa offers hot summers, cool nights, and long, dry autumns that are perfect for ripening. The strong winds and harsh, semi-maritime climate leads to low yields of healthy, small grapes with very thick skins - these grapes are treated with care to make some outstanding wine.
Shop By
- Harvested from 3 vineyards allows selection of the best batches to consistently produce pure Pinot Noir. The nose shows spicy savoury and bright, juicy red fruits. It is medium-bodied with soft velvety tannins, a mix of tart and sweet cherry fruit ... Learn MorePaddy Borthwick 'Paper Road' Pinot Noir 2018$24.99 Per itemOut of stock
- From family owned & operated estate founded in 1996, this wine has a Bouquet of maraschino cherries, plums, cranberries and cedar. A core of dark cherry, cloves and wild herbs are supported by bright fruit and French oak that complement a rich ... Learn MorePaddy Borthwick Pinot Noir 2015$31.99 Per itemOut of stock
- "Winemaker Larry McKenna now has 30 years of experience with Martinborough Pinot Noir, and its on full display in this blend assembled from various plots around the village." Wine Enthusiast Wonderful aromatics with cherry and red currant aromas and some earthy ... Learn MoreEscarpment Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017$53.99 Per itemOut of stock
- "Winemaker Larry McKenna now has 30 years of experience with Martinborough Pinot Noir, and its on full display in this blend assembled from various plots around the village." Wine Enthusiast Wonderful aromatics with cherry and red currant aromas and some earthy ... Learn MoreEscarpment Martinborough Pinot Noir 2016$53.99 Per itemOut of stock
- A blend of Pommard clones that were originally sourced from the University of California. Martinborough from 28 year old vines. Will easily age a decade. ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Kiwa' Pinot Noir 2018$74.99 Per item
- This wine was grown on the Barton Vineyard, Huangarua Road, Martinborough from vines 25 years old. A combination of deep alluvial gravels which the Martinborough Terraces are renowned for and a blend of many clones grown in a very sheltered spot ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Te Rehua' Pinot Noir 2018$74.99 Per item
- This wine was grown on the Barton Vineyard, Huangarua Road, Martinborough from vines 25 years old. A combination of deep alluvial gravels which the Martinborough Terraces are renowned for and a blend of many clones grown in a very sheltered spot ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Te Rehua' Pinot Noir 2017$74.99 Per itemOut of stock
- This wine was grown on the Cleland Vineyard Cambridge Road, Martinborough from 30 year old vines. A combination of deep alluvial gravels which the Martinborough Terraces are renowned for and a blend of Clones UCD 5 and 6 always rewards us with savoury, ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Kiwa' Pinot Noir 2017$74.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Consistently ranked as one of New Zealand's best Rieslings. An absolute collectors item, and incredibly rare. “Bone-dry riesling with lime-citrus, green apple, oyster-shell, mineral and a suggestion of wildflowers. A taut, high-energy wine with impressive purity and power. While it ... Learn MoreKusuda Riesling 2019$79.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Ranked #1 of 34 2018 Riesling from New Zealand by Bob Campbell MW. "Wonderfully pure Riesling with an ethereal texture. It has the Kusuda signature of delicacy and finesse. Bone-dry with lime, white flower and oyster shell mineral characters. Should age beautifully. 97 Points" ... Learn MoreKusuda Riesling 2018$79.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Fruit characters such as white nectarine and citrus mingle with the subtle nuttiness of toasted and crushed almonds. Notes of brioche almost span the components of the wine coming from barrels as well as aging on lees. The palate is ... Learn MoreDry River Chardonnay 2016$85.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Fermented in wooden French cuvees, hand plunged and aged in 50% new French oak barriques the wine was given every priority during its elevation and now shows all the hallmarks of a grand young wine on its release in 2012. Over the ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Kupe' Pinot Noir 2011$89.99 Per item
- Fermented in wooden French cuvees, hand plunged and aged in 50% new French oak barriques the wine was given every priority during its elevation and now shows all the hallmarks of a grand young wine on its release in 2012. Over the ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Kupe' Pinot Noir 2018$99.99 Per item
- If you wanted to explore the concept of ‘precision’ in wine, Kusuda is a good place to do so. Winemaking is thoughtful but simple, with a quarter of the wine seeing new oak. Some 20 months maturing in barrel. Kusuda rarely ... Learn MoreKusuda Syrah 2017$140.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Ranked: #1 Pinot Noir 2018 from Martinborough Hiro Kusuda: From the high-density block (majority 7400 plants/ha) we started to lease in 2011 then purchased after the 2015 vintage. First ever Pinot Noir made from own vineyard. Harvested by hand, 90% de-stemmed, aged in oak barriques ... Learn MoreKusuda Pinot Noir 2018$155.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Consistently ranked as one of New Zealand's best Rieslings. An absolute collectors item, and incredibly rare, this year this wine is ever rarer, as winemaker Hiro Kusuda was able to make a tiny amount of Botrytis-infected grapes. Every single berry ... Learn MoreKusuda Botrytis Riesling 'Tba' 2018 (375Ml)$160.00 Per itemOut of stock