Gisborne

Chardonnay is the principal grape to recognise here, but Gisborne also makes Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc. The main vineyard areas are Ormond, Patutahi and Manutuke. Their different positions create contrasts between warm inland ground, hillside vineyards and sites closer to the coast or river.

The regional name covers both straightforward, fruit-led wines and more ambitious single-vineyard bottlings. Ormond’s sloping sites include limestone-influenced soils, while Patutahi has well-drained clay and silt. For a useful introduction, compare a local Chardonnay with an aromatic white rather than assuming Gisborne represents a single style.