New Zealand Pinot Noir 2026 – Vertdevin

Most of us will be familiar with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Those intense aromas, crisp lime zest and pungent fruit have made it one of the world’s classic wines. However, while New Zealand also produces excellent Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, in the past it struggled to produce high quality red wines. Now that has changed as it gains recognition as a producer of some of the most exciting Pinot Noir.

There is a legend attached to the arrival of Pinot Noir into New Zealand. In the 1970’s a customs officer named Malcolm Abel stopped and searched a traveller returning from France. In his gum boot he found some vine cuttings which he confiscated. Abel also owned a vineyard in Auckland. He put the vines through quarantine and then planted them. The vines were Pinot Noir, allegedly from a top estate in Burgundy.

A winemaker named Clive Paton worked a vintage with Malcolm Abel and planted some of the vines in his own vineyard in Martinborough. Paton is part owner of Ata Rangi, one of the top producers in Martinborough and the so-called Abel or Gum Boot clones are responsible for some of their finest wines. It is not the only clone of Pinot Noir these days but still very highly regarded.

New Zealand Pinot Noir can be divided into five regions. Martinborough was the first region in New Zealand to be planted with Pinot Noir. In 1978 soils scientist Derek Milne suggested that the soils and climate of the area were very similar to those of Burgundy. Martinborough Vineyards was founded shortly afterwards. Clive Paton founded Ata Rangi in 1980. He says he remembers the stony soils from playing rugby on them and grazing his knees every match.

Martinborough and the surrounding Wairarapa region produce a distinctive style of Pinot Noir that can be described as savoury and earthy, often with a good structure for ageing. They do have red fruits too, but many see them as the closest in style to Burgundy. There are three sub-regions of Martinborough, with the classic savoury style emanating from the Terraces and Te Muna wines having a greater intensity of ripe dark fruits. Wairarapa wines tend to be more fragrant and lighter.

For many, Central Otago rivals Martinborough for producing the finest Pinot Noir in New Zealand. I would include Nelson and Waipara in that competition. Central Otago lies to the very far south of New Zealand; in fact, it is one of the most southerly vineyards in the world. It is the only wine region in New Zealand to have a continental climate with bitterly cold winters and a bright sunny growing season. Although the first vineyards were planted here in the late 19th century, it was only in 1980, when Irishman Alan Brady began planting vines that the current boom began. The wines tend to have a great intensity of red and dark fruits, a smooth palate and good acidity.

Nelson is one of the smallest wine regions of New Zealand with only around thirty growers. An hour’s drive from Marlborough, it is known as the sunniest part of New Zealand and has a good long warm growing season. Neudorf is the leading producer of Pinot Noir.

Marlborough is famous around the world for its expressive aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. In recent years it has started to produce some impressive Pinot Noir as well. Most of the best Pinot vineyards are in the Southern Valley where the soils are older and heavier with plenty of clay and weathered gravels. In general summers are long and cool with great diurnal fluctuation.

Waipara Valley, which lies south of Christchurch, is home to some of the finest Pinots. Bell Hill and Pyramid Valley benefit from outcrops of limestone. The valley is protected by the Teviotdale Hills to the east and Southern Alps to the west. As well as the Greystone, there are plenty of other good producers, including Pegasus Bay, Fancrest, Bone Line, and Black Estate. In addition to Pinot Noir, the region produces excellent Chardonnay and Riesling.

• Ata Rangi Kotinga Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, Martinborough

• Burn Cottage, Burn Cottage Vineyard 2021, Central Otago

• Greywacke Pinot Noir 2023, Marlborough

• Greystone Thomas Brothers Pinot Noir 2021, Waipara Valley

• Neudorf Tom’s Block Pinot Noir 2023, Nelson

• Felton Road Calvert Vineyard 2023, Central Otago