Wairarapa

Wairarapa has warm summers and cold winters, with vineyards on terraces exposed by river erosion. Marie Zelie, a Burgundy native who moved to Masterton in the 1880s, believed the local climate and soils suited vines. Modern winegrowing dates to the late 1970s. Vineyards were planted along Martinborough Terrace in 1980, then expanded north into Gladstone and Opaki. Pinot Noir accounts for 50 percent of plantings, followed by Sauvignon Blanc at 30 percent. Chardonnay, Syrah and aromatic white grapes are also grown, and the region makes dessert wines. Martinborough, Gladstone and Opaki differ in their soils, climates and elevations.