Naturally high sunshine hours, diverse terrain and varying soil types are like a blank canvas for Nelson’s winemakers, who are every bit as aware of the artistic aspect to their craft as the exacting, scientific one.

Different expressions of Nelson wine include full-bodied, cool climate chardonnay, succulent sauvignon blanc, promising pinot noir and racy riesling.

Many winemakers are pioneering pinot gris, syrah and unusual revivals of lesser-known grapes like zweigelt, but one thing every winemaker in the region has in common is an ability to make top-tasting wine from a range of different grapes. This strength belongs as much to the region’s plentiful sunshine and wide diurnal swing – that change between day and night-time temperatures, which gives the region a long, relatively cool ripening season – as it does to talented winemakers. The winemakers are ensuring that Nelson wines are balanced and full of flavour and that the nation and the world know about them.

In 2003 winemakers from the hills down to the formed the Wineart group to foster joint marketing initiatives. Under Wineart they celebrate their inspired approach to winemaking, an approach that singles them out from other winemaking regions in New Zealand. All wine marketed under the Wineart umbrella is made of entirely Nelson-grown grapes and produced in a Nelson winery.

Like the visual artists, Wineart members welcome visitors to their cellar doors. These are creative people with a hands-on approach to the winemaking process. Many wineries are small, and even the biggest operations are family-owned. At the cellar door you can meet the winemaker, experience their passion and take some of it home with you in a bottle.

Visit Profile of the artist

Hunter’s Wines (NZ) Ltd
Woollaston Estates

Other Members
Anchorage Wines

Founders Brewery

Kahurangi Estate
Kaimira Estate Winery
Neudorf Vineyards
Rimu Grove Winery

Seifried Estate

Waimea Estates