A bit of history

The historic town of Nelson sits on the edge of Tasman Bay, surrounded by agricultural countryside that stretches south across the Waimea Plains to the Moutere Hills. The area is separated from the rest of the South Island by mountains that surround it on all sides.

To the south and west are the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks, and to the west the Richmond Nelson Ranges separate the famous Marlborough region of New Zealand.

Established in 1841, Nelson was the first town in the South Island. Early settlers planted vines here, but the modern wine industry didn't blossom until the 1970s.

Climate for growing vines

The Nelson wine region is divided into two sub-regions - Moutere Hills and Waimea Plains.

Moutere Hills is a warmer and wetter sub-region of the Nelson region. The area is known for its gravel-clay soils, which add richness, flavor and texture to the wine. Pinot Noir wines from Moutere Hills are easily recognized for their subtle tannic components, while Chardonnays have a high level of depth and complexity. This sub-region is the most popular wine producing area as it is where the first vines were planted in Nelson.

The Waimea Plains sub-region got its name from Maori words meaning "river garden". This name was given to the area because of its cultivated fields, hop fields and orchard hills. Waimea Plains terroir is stony with alluvial soils. The influence of the sea provides the area with a maritime climate, which allows the region to produce light and fresh wines with distinctly fresh aromas. Pinot Noir from Waimea Plains can be described as aromatic, while Chardonnay is rich, lively, expressive and distinctly aromatic.

Typical varieties for Nelson

Various grape varieties are grown in Nelson, including Sauvignon Blanc , Chardonnay, Pinot Noir , Riesling , Gewürztraminer and many others. Each of these varieties has its own distinctive characteristics and contributes to the diversity of Nelson wines.

Nelson is now home to about 40 wineries, most of which are small, boutique operations producing premium wines. From this area, you can find an offer from the Seifried winery on our e-shop, which dates back to 1973. The Seifried Estate winery farms them according to sustainable agricultural practices that minimize the ecological footprint and protect the environment for future generations.

The towns of Motueka and Stoke are also important beer (and hop) production areas.

Source and photo: Seifried Estate, nzwine.com