New Zealand

Auckland

Northern New Zealand, around the country's largest city: from the Kumeu hills west of the city to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

Maritime and temperate with warm summers; the surrounding sea moderates extremes and lengthens the season.

Auckland was New Zealand's original wine heartland; today it splits into the refined Chardonnays of Kumeu and the cult Bordeaux blends of Waiheke Island.

Kumeu River Chardonnay is often called the 'Burgundy of the Antipodes' and ranks with the world's very best.

For the buyer, Auckland whites offer great value against Burgundy and Waiheke reds are collector favourites.

Terroir & Soil

Kumeu's heavy clay-loam west of the city and Waiheke's warm, free-draining volcanic hills make two distinct vineyard worlds.

What to Expect from the Wines

  • · Kumeu River is one of the Southern Hemisphere's great Chardonnay producers - precise, mineral and Burgundian in intent.
  • · Waiheke Island turns out New Zealand's most convincing Bordeaux-style red blends.
  • · Auckland's cool, marine-influenced climate gives whites tension and lift.

Remarkable Bottles from Auckland

All wines →
white

Kumeu River Chardonnay

Auckland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Kumeu River Chardonnay is an white wine from New Zealand, in the Auckland region (Northern New Zealand, around the country's largest city: from the Kumeu hills west of the city to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf.), made principally from Chardonnay. A St-Aubin-inspired Chardonnay that critics rank among the best outside Burgundy — and it knows it.

$30–$50 est. retail

white

Auckland Chardonnay

Auckland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Auckland Chardonnay is an white wine from New Zealand, in the Auckland region (Northern New Zealand, around the country's largest city: from the Kumeu hills west of the city to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf.), made principally from Chardonnay. a house-style Auckland chardonnay that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

red

Auckland Pinot Noir

Auckland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Auckland Pinot Noir is an red wine from New Zealand, in the Auckland region (Northern New Zealand, around the country's largest city: from the Kumeu hills west of the city to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf.), made principally from Pinot Noir. a house-style Auckland pinot noir that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

red

Auckland Merlot

Auckland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Auckland Merlot is an red wine from New Zealand, in the Auckland region (Northern New Zealand, around the country's largest city: from the Kumeu hills west of the city to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf.), made principally from Merlot. a house-style Auckland merlot that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

white

Kumeu Chardonnay Riserva

Auckland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Kumeu Chardonnay Riserva is an white wine from New Zealand, in the Auckland region (Northern New Zealand, around the country's largest city: from the Kumeu hills west of the city to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf.), made principally from Chardonnay. a reserve-tier Kumeu chardonnay that represents the region's premium bottled expression.

$35–$65 est. retail

white

Waiheke Island Chardonnay Riserva

Auckland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Waiheke Island Chardonnay Riserva is an white wine from New Zealand, in the Auckland region (Northern New Zealand, around the country's largest city: from the Kumeu hills west of the city to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf.), made principally from Chardonnay. a reserve-tier Waiheke Island chardonnay that represents the region's premium bottled expression.

$53–$100 est. retail

Food Pairing

  • · Kumeu Chardonnay with roast chicken, mushrooms, cream sauces and aged Comté.
  • · Waiheke Merlot blends with lamb, duck and barbecue.
  • · White-fleshed fish with beurre blanc suits the region's whites.

Buying from Auckland

  • › Kumeu River's single-vineyard Mate's, Hunting Hill and Coddington labels are the ones to seek.
  • › Waiheke cult names include Stonyridge Larose, Man O' War and Obsidian.
  • › Drink Auckland Chardonnay young-ish for freshness, or cellar the grander cuvées.