Gisborne

Gisborne is New Zealand’s third largest wine region behind Marlborough and Hawkes Bay, but it is not yet known for the quality of its wines. Most of the grapes here are crushed by large wineries to make cheap table wines, but in recent years the area has been trending toward smaller wineries interested in improving quality. The climate is warmer and wetter than Hawkes Bay to the south, and this proves a mixed blessing. The high precipitation and fertile, alluvial soil along the region’s low-altitude river plains allow for very high yields, but the moisture throughout the growing season can also cause rot and problems with the harvest. Chardonnay is by far the most popular variety, but Gewürztraminer is making itself known as well.