However, the region's saving grace is the low rainfall, with particularly long dry autumns, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and maintain good levels of acidity. Late-ripening grapes do not fare so well, while current plantings prove the potential for pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling along with pinot gris. Otago Here are to be found what are probably the southernmost commercial vineyards in the world. There is a steadily increasing amount of land being planted in grapes, with over 250ha now in production. The vines are grown in Central Otago which is a region of climatic extremes.
Summer is typically hot, autumn short and winter icy-cold.
Only the most carefully selected sites have enabled winemakers to succeed here. Pinot noir and riesling are two varieties which have done particularly well as well as some chardonnay. My attempt to list all of New Zealand's wineries by region with links to their web sites if they have them. New Zealand Online Wine Shops . A list of the websites of New Zealand companies providing online sales of New Zealand wines.