Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand's oldest wine region, home to the nation's most historic producers, plus the treasured island vineyards of Waiheke and Matakana.
Fast facts
At a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Climate | Warm, humid, maritime |
| Geography | Coastal region around New Zealand's largest city |
| Key appellations | Auckland GI · Waiheke Island · Kumeu · Matakana |
| Main grapes | Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah |
| Famous for | Waiheke Island, Historic Kumeu, Chardonnay |
Grapes
Signature grapes of Auckland
The varieties that define this region's wines.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the world's most planted white grape and a remarkable blank canvas for terroir and winemaking. F…
Merlot
Merlot is France's most planted red grape and the plush partner to Cabernet in Bordeaux blends, especially on …
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the world's most famous red grape, the backbone of Bordeaux's great blended wines and th…
Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah (known as Shiraz in Australia) is one of the world's great black grapes, capable of extraordinary power …
Nearby
Related regions
Explore neighbouring wine areas.
Wine travel
Visiting Auckland
Ferry-cruise to Waiheke Island's seaside vineyards or explore Kumeu and Matakana from the city.
NZ Explore all of New Zealand
Country-wide wine guide with regions, grapes, classification and food culture.