Auckland, New Zealand's largest city.
Home to 1.65 million people, or one-third of New Zealand's population, this region is an attractive economic and commercial center that also retains abundant nature, including beautiful beaches and lush parks.
My friend went to Auckland on a working holiday!
I think there are quite a lot of people like that. Auckland is a big city in NZ. It's a city that attracts a lot of people from overseas.
Auckland is full of attractions, but it is also a hidden wine producing region.
The area's three wine-producing regions each have their own unique characteristics, and many of the wineries are historic.
So let's take a closer look.
What makes Auckland wine unique?
First, I will explain the general characteristics of the region as a wine producing region. I will explain each item in detail later.
- The foundations of the wine industry were laid by Croatian immigrants in the first half of the 20th century.
- The headquarters of some of NZ's largest wineries are located here
- There are three distinct sub-regions
- Taking advantage of the warm climate, it is also a producer of high-quality wine.
Among New Zealand's wine producing regions, Marlborough and Central Otago are particularly well known, but Auckland has also played an important role in the history of New Zealand wine.
The history of wine in this region cannot be explained without the presence of Croatian immigrants , who established the foundations of the wine industry here. As a result, Auckland is home to many of the headquarters of relatively large wineries.
There are three sub-regions, each with its own unique characteristics, and Auckland's warm climate also produces high-quality wines.
Grapes grown in Auckland
Auckland is located in the northern part of New Zealand, in the Southern Hemisphere, so the climate is warm.
Looking at the annual temperatures,
Summer: Maximum temperature 23℃
Winter: Minimum temperature 7℃
It doesn't get extremely hot or cold throughout the year.
What kind of wines are produced in warm climate regions?
Yes, New Zealand is famous for its smooth and elegant Pinot Noir, which is best grown in cooler regions.
Conversely, the warmer climate around Auckland produces rich , ageable red wines modelled on Bordeaux blends .
The main red wine grape varieties grown near Auckland are:
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Syrah
is.
In particular, Waiheke Island's Syrah has been highly acclaimed worldwide in recent years.
The main white wine varieties are:
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Gris
It is as follows.
When you think of white Bordeaux, you think of Sauvignon Blanc , but Auckland mainly produces Chardonnay , which boasts high quality that rivals that of Burgundy.
Humidity control is also a challenge...
Auckland's climate is warm and at the same time humid.
The average annual rainfall in Auckland is about 1,240mm, which doesn't seem like much compared to Tokyo's average of about 1,500mm, but there is a lot of rain during the winter, and there are even days with heavy downpours.
Grapes are sensitive to humidity, so producers are forced to take various measures. For example, to ensure that the grapes receive the most sunlight efficiently, they carefully thin out the vines and leaves and take good care of them. This prevents mold and pests from developing due to humidity.
I see… delicious wine is made through the behind-the-scenes efforts of winemakers.
That's right. Many craftsmen are particular about detailed handwork in order to create products of the highest possible quality.
Auckland's winemaking history
Let's take a closer look at the history of winemaking.
There are records that Lebanese immigrant Ashid Abraham Corban started making wine in this region in 1902, and sold a large amount of the wine he produced in 1909. This is said to have had a major impact on the spread of high-quality wine.
In addition, starting in the 1920s, Croatian immigrant Josip Petrov Babić began full-scale winemaking near Auckland and founded a winery called "Babić" , which still operates today.
There are also many wineries in the region that were founded by Croatian immigrants.
The winery has
- Montana
- Kumeu River
- Villa Maria
- Providence
This includes famous wineries such as:
Marlborough was the main grape growing region in New Zealand until the 1970s, when grape production in the region increased dramatically.
And because the wineries founded here expanded their vineyards and wineries throughout New Zealand, this place is said to be the "origin of wine producers."
Unique subregions
The vast expanses of land surrounding Auckland are home to many fine small wineries .
The region has three sub-regions, each with its own unique wines.
| Origin | Features |
|---|---|
| Kumeu | The clayey soil is derived from volcanic soil. Kumeu River is famous as one of New Zealand's leading Chardonnay producers. |
| Matakana | It is humid and warm, with a subtropical atmosphere. There is a winery called "Providence" that produces the legendary wine. |
| Waiheke Island | This luxury resort island is known as the Wine Island and is famous for producing high-quality Bordeaux wines. |
Now let's take a closer look at each region.
Kumeu, the first successful Chardonnay producer in New Zealand
Kumeu is located about 30 minutes drive northwest of Auckland city.
This is a historically important region where the foundations of New Zealand's wine industry were laid by Croatian immigrants in the early 20th century.
The wine produced here is
- A crisp and elegant Chardonnay
- Stylish Merlot
A typical style is:
Kumeu River
Kumeu River is famous for being the first winery in Japan to successfully cultivate Chardonnay .
The winery was founded in 1944 by the Brockovich family , who immigrated from Yugoslavia, and has produced wines using the knowledge and experience they gained in the United States and Europe.
Kumeu River's Chardonnay is Burgundy-style , characterized by a good balance of rich fruitiness and crisp acidity.
This region produces high-quality wines that are praised as being comparable to those from Burgundy.
▶ Kumeu River Official Website
Matakana, where the legendary wine "Providence" is born
Matakana is a humid, green area located about an hour's drive north of Auckland city.
Vineyards are scattered close to the sea, and most of them are on north-facing slopes to maximize sunlight. Incidentally, since NZ is in the southern hemisphere, the north-facing areas get more sunlight.
The main varieties in this region and their characteristics are as follows:
- Pinot Gris : A full-bodied, rich flavor with a hint of pear and a spicy nuance.
- Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon : Rich and earthy
The Matakana region is also famous for its farmers' market , and is a leading area in New Zealand in permaculture and organic farming.
The legendary luxury wine "Providence"
One winery that stands out in particular in Matakana is Providence , which produces luxury wines known as “phantom wines.”
"Providence Private Reserve 1996" stored at Bokumo.
Providence does not use any herbicides or chemical fertilizers, only organic fertilizers, uses wild yeast in the brewing process, and all the grapes are hand-picked.
You can really feel the love for grapes!
That sounds like a lot, right? This careful cultivation and brewing method is a traditional method that has been cultivated for centuries in Europe. Providence has successfully implemented it in New Zealand.
Providence wines are said to have had a great influence on Usuke Aso , who is considered the father of Japanese wine, and have contributed to the development of Japanese wine.
A representative example is a wine called "Private Reserve" that is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec. It is produced in small quantities, and most of it goes to wine collectors around the world, so it is rarely available in Japan and is called a "phantom wine."
Waiheke Island, the wine island that attracts tourists from all over the world
Waiheke Island is known as one of the leading resort areas in New Zealand. It is also known as the Wine Island, as wine production is so thriving here.
With plenty of beaches and accommodation options, it is a popular vacation home and resort destination, and also hosts an annual wine festival.
Waiheke Island has a warmer, drier climate than the mainland. The summer temperature reaches a maximum of 30°C, but at night it gets chilly, and there is a large temperature difference. In addition, the soil on the island is poor and well-drained, so the grapes grown in this environment have a very concentrated flavor.
The red wine made from these grapes is a full-bodied wine with firm tannins , with a rich, full flavor that is a specialty of this island.
Man O' War
Of the approximately 20 wineries on the island, Man O' War is the largest.
The company owns approximately 20% of the island's land area, and its 60 hectares of hillside vineyards produce a wide variety of wines.
The first grapes were planted at Man O' War in 1993, and the first vintage was in 2007, so although it is a relatively new winery, it has received extremely high praise and attention from around the world.
The wine "Ironclad Bordeaux Blend" is a blend of six types of wine used in Bordeaux, and has a mellow, rich flavor.
If you like rich red wines, you should definitely try this.
Stonyridge
Next, we would like to introduce Stony Ridge , a renowned luxury winery.
In particular, La Rose, a Bordeaux blend made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc., amazed wine fans around the world, who said, "Wow, wine like this can be made in New Zealand!"
In recent years, the elegant Chardonnay, the fruit-rich Montepulciano and Petit Verdot, and the fragrant Viognier and Pinot Gris have all been highly acclaimed.
▶ Stoney Ridge official website
New Zealand's most historic winery
The Auckland suburbs, known as the "birthplace of wine producers," is still home to some of the world's most famous wineries.
Here we would like to introduce two distinctive wineries with long history that have supported New Zealand's wine industry, both of which have their headquarters near Auckland.
Babich
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016, Babich is one of New Zealand's largest family-owned wineries.
The company originated in Auckland and currently has its headquarters and some of its vineyards near Auckland, as well as vineyards in the Hawke's Bay and Marlborough regions.
In particular, the Marlborough winery was newly opened in 2013, and in addition to its vast vineyards, it is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and 6,000-ton stainless steel tanks , incorporating cutting-edge technology.
This is because Babich has a very rational philosophy of planting the best varieties in fields with the best conditions for grape growing.
The varieties grown in the suburbs of Auckland are mainly Pinotage, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and the company has a small winery attached to its headquarters where they preserve traditional brands.
Currently, a representative brand that uses grapes actually harvested in the Hawke's Bay region is the Pinotage-based red wine "East Coast Vintara." This "Vintara" brand is a traditional wine that has been loved in the Auckland area for over 60 years.
Villa Maria
Villa Maria, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011, is one of the largest companies in New Zealand, with bases throughout the country.
Our vineyards are located in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay on the North Island, near Auckland and in the Marlborough region on the South Island, and we own the best vineyards in each region to produce high-quality wines.
The lineup is extensive, ranging from affordable to luxury items, and the premium wines in particular have won numerous awards around the world.
Currently, it is steadily exported to 60 countries around the world, and can be purchased in Japan for around 1,000 yen. It is the perfect wine for those looking to try New Zealand wine.
It's great to be able to drink New Zealand wine for around 1,000 yen.
Villa Maria has also made proactive reforms in employment, such as being the first in the New Zealand wine industry to employ female employees and, despite being a family-run business, hiring expert "viticulturalists" who grow high-quality grapes.
The company is also famous for being the first in the world to adopt screw caps for all of its products in 2001.
Screw caps are now used by most wineries in New Zealand, as they eliminate problems with traditional cork stoppers such as mold growth and the difficulty of long-term storage, and have no adverse effects on the quality of the wine itself.
In recognition of these various reforms and contributions to the wine industry, founder George Fistonich was awarded the title of Knight in 2009, the first such award in the New Zealand wine industry.
▶ Villa Maria official website
summary
Although Auckland does not produce a large amount of wine, it is an important wine-producing region that is indispensable when talking about New Zealand wine.
New Zealand wines tend to focus on aromatic and elegant varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, but Auckland is proving that New Zealand can also produce rich, full-bodied wines, such as Bordeaux blends and Burgundy-style Chardonnay.
It is also important to note when talking about New Zealand wine that New Zealand wine has begun to attract attention from around the world thanks to the international reputation of wineries based here in Auckland.
In the future, the area will continue to have a strong presence as a base for major wineries and as a producer of premium, "stronger wines."
