Just a three-hour drive north from the famed vines of the Gibbston Valley in Central Otago, lies the northern Otago region. Nestled alongside the Waitiki River with mountains rising on all sides, this region is dotted with boutique wineries that focus on quality rather than quantity. Like all wines the terroir of the region sets it apart and the Waitaki region is no different. River silt and the unique soils of the region produce wines that can’t be found anywhere else.

Most of the wineries in this region are among New Zealand’s last harvest, generally waiting until the end of April or even May. Because the grapes stay on the vines for longer, the wines tend to develop more complex flavours. Wineries in the region include Valli Vineyards, River T Estate, Pasquale Wines and Ostler Wines’ tasting room, The Vintner’s Drop. Highly recommended: Ostler Blue House Pinot Noir 2015 Waitiki Valley.

The Marlborough region, at the top of the South Island, is New Zealand’s largest wine growing region – and produces 77% of New Zealand’s total wine production. Marlborough’s unique terroir of free draining, alluvial loams over gravel and sheltered climate, provide the ideal conditions for producing world-acclaimed wines.

As with many of the world’s best wine making regions, the wines produced in the Marlborough region owe their uniqueness to a combination of climate and soil. Marlborough is famous for its sauvignon blanc and pinot noir in particular. Highly recommended: Te Whare Ra Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Most visitors choose to travel north to south and start their journey in Hawke’s Bay on the east coast. The second largest wine producing region in the country, has some of New Zealand’s highest sunshine hours – a climate that brings out the best in the region’s award-winning wine and gourmet food.

Located at 39.4ºS on New Zealand’s north island, Hawke’s Bay is home to a maritime climate very similar to that of Bourdeaux. The region produces many of New Zealand’s full-bodied reds, including merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah, as well as complex, rich chardonnay. Highly recommended: Church Road Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay

Wairarapa is characterised by spectacular coastlines, big skies, wide valleys and characterful small towns at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Famous for pinot gris and world-acclaimed pinot noir, many Wairarapa vineyards are within a short distance of Martinborough village allowing visitors to stroll or cycle between wineries.

The Wairarapa region is home to semi-maritime climate, sheltered by the Tararua Ranges which enables a long growing season. This gives room for intense varietal character and complexity to develop in the predominantly silt loam, clay loam and limestone soil. The region produces standout pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, syrah and beautiful dessert wines. Highly recommended: Gladstone Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir 2018