Nelson overtakes Otago in grape-harvest tally

Nelson has overtaken Central Otago as the country’s fourthbiggest wine-producing region, according to new data from the industry.

The amount of grapes harvested in Nelson for wine production rose by 36 per cent this year compared to last year, making up 3.1 per cent of New Zealand’s total, the figures from New Zealand Winegrowers show. This was just above Central Otago’s 3 per cent.

The country’s powerhouse wine region remains Marlborough, which produced 76.6 per cent, followed by Hawke’s Bay’s with 9.3 per cent and Gisborne with 4.1 per cent.

In Nelson, grapes used to make sauvignon blanc, gewurztraminer, sauvignon gris, syrah, viognier and Albarino saw the biggest rise in volumes, with production up across nearly 90 per cent of varietals.

The recently elected chairman of Nelson Winegrowers, Paul Miles, said the rise was partly down to better growing conditions last season. But it also reflected a growing demand for the region’s wine, which was gaining recognition for its high quality. ‘‘We provide a lot of varietals very well,’’ said Miles, who co-owns the Riwaka River Estate vineyard.

‘‘It is a fantastic region for growing grapes – we have a great climate, we have exceptional skills from the growing right through to the winemaking.’’

Nelson is home to around 30 wine producers, with most producing at least three varieties.

‘‘We’ve focused a lot on creating Paul Miles

Nelson Winegrowers chairman

‘‘It is a fantastic region for growing grapes.’’

information that allows wine critics to come here. Word is getting out now that we really are a serious wine-producing region,’’ Miles said.

Judy Finn, director of Neudorf Vineyards, said production varied each year, but Nelson was growing as a wine region.

‘‘There is increasing investment in the region and large wineries – from, say, Booster having taken over Mahana and Waimea Estate.’’

There were also smaller investments, which boded well for the future, Finn said.