North Island

North Island

The North Island is where the vine was first introduced to New Zealand in 1819 and where significant investment was initially made in the wine industry in the 1960s.

Although the wines of the North Island are both excellent and markedly different in style from those of the South Island, the South has eclipsed the North in the past few decades in the public imagination.

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    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • Hawke's Bay
    An elegant Chardonnay which focuses on the beautiful structure so evident in this grape variety. citrus fruit and balanced acidity are the backbone, e... Read More
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • Hawke's Bay
    An elegant Chardonnay which focuses on the beautiful structure so evident in this grape variety. citrus fruit and balanced acidity are the backbone, e... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £42.00 What is MIX6?

    Add 6 or more bottles of selected wine to your basket to receive the wholesale price.

    £35.00 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £47.50 £39.58
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • Hawke's Bay
    This Syrah is beautifully silky and exhibits fruity, slightly spiced undertones, with a long lasting finish. It has soft tannins and is highly complex... Read More
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • Hawke's Bay
    This Syrah is beautifully silky and exhibits fruity, slightly spiced undertones, with a long lasting finish. It has soft tannins and is highly complex... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £42.00 What is MIX6?

    Add 6 or more bottles of selected wine to your basket to receive the wholesale price.

    £35.00 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £46.99 £39.16
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • Hawke's Bay
    This superb Bordeaux blend from the New World rivals that of the best of France with 21 months in French oak. It creates a balanced and complex style ... Read More
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • Hawke's Bay
    This superb Bordeaux blend from the New World rivals that of the best of France with 21 months in French oak. It creates a balanced and complex style ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £42.00 What is MIX6?

    Add 6 or more bottles of selected wine to your basket to receive the wholesale price.

    £35.00 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £46.99 £39.16
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • Hawke's Bay
    An outgoing, aromatic and refreshing wine, packed with gooseberry fruit. What sets this apart is an herbaceous character not common with New Zealand S... Read More
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • Hawke's Bay
    An outgoing, aromatic and refreshing wine, packed with gooseberry fruit. What sets this apart is an herbaceous character not common with New Zealand S... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £6.94 What is MIX6?

    Add 6 or more bottles of selected wine to your basket to receive the wholesale price.

    £5.78 exc VAT
    Single 37.5cl bottle
    £7.98 £6.65
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • Hawke's Bay
    This is a wonderfully fruity, fragrant Merlot. Garnet colour, with a vibrant hue. Dark plummy notes are to be found on the nose, alongside woody herbs... Read More
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • Hawke's Bay
    This is a wonderfully fruity, fragrant Merlot. Garnet colour, with a vibrant hue. Dark plummy notes are to be found on the nose, alongside woody herbs... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £15.25 What is MIX6?

    Add 6 or more bottles of selected wine to your basket to receive the wholesale price.

    £12.71 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £16.74 £13.95
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • South Island
    • Hawkes Bay
    An outgoing, aromatic and refreshing wine, packed with gooseberry fruit. What sets this apart is a herbaceous character not common for New Zealand Sau... Read More
    • Origin
    • New Zealand
    • South Island
    • Hawkes Bay
    An outgoing, aromatic and refreshing wine, packed with gooseberry fruit. What sets this apart is a herbaceous character not common for New Zealand Sau... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £13.40 What is MIX6?

    Add 6 or more bottles of selected wine to your basket to receive the wholesale price.

    £11.17 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £14.99 £12.49
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Styles of Wine

Stretched out over seven degrees of latitude, the North Island produces a wide range of styles. As a general rule of thumb, anything from Bordeaux or Burgundy will thrive in the region and make wines to compete with their homeland. Certain red grapes, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, will excel here but struggle on the South Island.

Key Vines

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are the prominent whites, whilst Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir fly the flag for the reds. Gewürztraminer and Muscat have a presence and the results of Syrah are eagerly awaited. Müller-Thurgau is a hangover from the past that is being replaced by the more noble and profitable French vines.

Climate and Conditions

It is warm, which allows for ripening of the grapes, but also uncomfortably moist. Autumnal rainfall is particularly hazardous and can lead to mildew and the rotting of grapes.  Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa avoid this rainfall, but instead have to contend with spring frosts and wind respectively. The soils are varied and some, such as the alluvial Gimblett Road gravels, are superb for the growing of vines.

 

 

 

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