Brancott makes wine in all New Zealand’s major wine regions. While there are unmistakable regional differences, all these regions share characteristics that are typical of the country as a whole.

New Zealand has similar dimensions and lies as far from the equator as Italy. The country receives strong sunshine, but is climatically at the coolest end of the grape-growing spectrum. Wine is grown throughout the length of the country, mostly on east coast plains sheltered by mountains.

About 80% of the country’s wine is made in Marlborough, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. Smaller regions such as North Canterbury (Waipara), Otago and Wairarapa are often known for one or two outstanding varieties produced in boutique quantities.

Our Wine Regions

Marlborough



New Zealand’s premier wine region was pioneered by Montana (makers of Brancott) in the early 1970s. Most of its vineyards are in the wide Wairau Valley on the northeastern corner of the South Island. The narrower, windy Awatere Valley to the south has also seen significant planting in recent years.

Brancott’s main vineyards in the region are Brancott and Fairhall – the first places where grapes were planted in 1973 – plus Renwick Estate, as well as a range of smaller vineyards in both the Wairau and Awatere valleys.

In most years, Marlborough is the sunniest part of New Zealand, but the proximity of snow-capped peaks and a relatively large landmass causes a sharp drop in temperature at night. The high diurnal temperature variation locks in unusually high levels of acidity in some grape varieties, most notably Sauvignon Blanc, without compromising flavour development.

Apart from its signature Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough excels in the production of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling.

Vineyard area:	11,500ha
Key varieties:	Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling
Sunshine hours:	2450
Rainfall:	700
Growing degree days:	1150

Gisborne



Being more northerly, Gisborne is warmer than the other major grape-growing areas of New Zealand. The region lies near the eastern tip of the North Island, on a triangular plain surrounded by high hills.

Montana (makers of Brancott) played a major part in the development of the region with substantial plantings starting in the early 1970s. The main Brancott vineyards are Patutahi and Ormond estates.

The country’s first varietal wine, our Gisborne Chardonnay, was produced here in 1973. Gisborne still prides itself as “The Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand”.

However, winemakers have also achieved outstanding results with Gewürztraminer and lately with Viognier.

Vineyard area:	2,100ha
Key varieties:	Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Noir (for sparkling wine)
Sunshine hours:	2225
Rainfall:	900
Growing degree days:	1400

Hawke’s Bay



Many of New Zealand’s oldest wineries have their roots in Hawke’s Bay, a wide plain ribboned with three major rivers on the east coast of the central North Island. We have a number of vineyards dotted over the Heretaunga Plain.

Its climate and soil make Hawke’s Bay the best place in New Zealand to grow traditional Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and also Syrah.

Wine connoisseurs are increasingly enraptured by the quality of Chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay.

Vineyard area:	4,350ha
Key varieties:	Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
Sunshine hours:	2300
Rainfall:	740
Growing degree days:	1480

Canterbury (Waipara)



Canterbury has two wine regions: the plains south of Christchurch and the hill country at the northern edge of the plain. Our vineyards near Waipara in the north. The region is traditionally known for outstanding Riesling, though excellent results have also been achieved with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and especially Pinot Noir.

Vineyard area:	925ha
Key varieties:	Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Sunshine hours:	2125
Rainfall:	600
Growing degree days:	1100

Otago



Otago has the world’s most southerly vineyards. Nestled among the imposing Southern Alps, it is the only New Zealand wine region that lies away from the coast. Temperatures tend to extremes and vintage variability is high. The region is most famous for the Pinot Noir that makes up nearly three quarters of all plantings.

Vineyard area:	1,250ha
Key varieties:	Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling
Sunshine hours:	2200
Rainfall:	500
Growing degree days:	980

Other


Other New Zealand wine regions include Northland, Auckland (including Waiheke Island), Wairarapa (south of Hawke’s Bay) as well as Nelson (east of Marlborough).