What is the most popular wine in New Zealand?
By Laura Faire | Food Writer & Hospitality Professional | 25 years NZ hospitality experience
New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc – The Star of the Show
From Northland to Central Otago, New Zealand is home to some of the world's most beautiful vineyards. Among the various varietals produced in the country, Sauvignon Blanc is the most popular.
Sauvignon Blanc is grown in almost every wine region of New Zealand, but when it comes to the best Sauvignon Blancs, Marlborough is the region that stands out. The region, located on the northern tip of the South Island, is known for its sunny climate, cool nights, and well-draining soils. These conditions create the perfect environment for producing the crisp, refreshing, and aromatic Sauvignon Blancs that New Zealand is famous for.
Our Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc and Mahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc perfectly exemplify this Marlborough style, offering the distinctive passion fruit and herbaceous notes that made New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc a global phenomenon.
New Zealand's Most Popular Wine Varieties (In Order)
In order of popularity in New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc is followed by:
Central Otago Pinot Noir – A National Treasure
As the second most popular varietal in New Zealand, Pinot Noir grapes are grown in a few regions across the country, but Central Otago is synonymous with Pinot Noir. The region, located in the southern part of the South Island, is known for its crisp, dry climate, and unique terroir. The Pinot Noir from Central Otago is known for its deep ruby colour, complex flavours, and silky texture.
Our Akarua Central Otago Pinot Noir and Rockburn "The Art" Central Otago Pinot Noir showcase the exceptional quality that has made this region world-renowned for elegant, age-worthy Pinot Noir.
Chardonnay – Rich, Creamy & World-Class
Chardonnay is the third most popular varietal in New Zealand, grown in regions including Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Gisborne. However, the best-known Chardonnays come from the Hawke's Bay region, located on the east coast of the North Island. The region's warm climate and fertile soils create the perfect environment for producing rich, creamy, and buttery Chardonnays.
Our Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay demonstrates this beautifully, whilst our Mahi Marlborough Chardonnay shows the more mineral, elegant style that Marlborough produces.
Merlot – Fruity & Full-Bodied
Merlot is the fourth most popular varietal in New Zealand, grown in several regions including Hawke's Bay, Waiheke Island, and the Gimblett Gravels region. The best Merlots are associated with the Gimblett Gravels region, where stony soils and a warm climate produce full-bodied, fruity, and robust Merlots.
Our Trinity Hill Hawke's Bay Merlot showcases this regional style perfectly, offering the rich, velvety character that makes Hawke's Bay Merlot so sought after.
Cabernet Sauvignon – Bold & Complex
Cabernet Sauvignon is the fifth most popular varietal in New Zealand, grown in regions such as Hawke's Bay, Waiheke Island, and the Gimblett Gravels. The most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignons come from Waiheke Island, with its warm climate and stony soils producing full-bodied, tannic, and complex wines.
Our Man O' War Ironclad Bordeaux Blend from Waiheke Island exemplifies this style, blending Cabernet Sauvignon with other Bordeaux varieties to create wines of remarkable depth and complexity.
New Zealand Wine in the Global Market
New Zealand is famous for its Sauvignon Blancs, and the export statistics for this variety are impressive. According to the New Zealand Winegrowers Association, in 2020, Sauvignon Blanc accounted for 85% of the country's wine exports, with a total value of NZD 2.1 billion. The top five export markets are the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and China.
The Wine List's 2023 Best-Selling Wines
Based on The Wine List's 2023 sales data (including international brands), our order of popularity was:
This is small-scale data, skewed by what is listed and vintage popularity (for example, in 2023, the Man O' War Pinot Gris saw exceptional sales). We are delighted to now offer (2025) a few Gimblett Gravels wines, including our popular Trinity Hill selections.
Understanding New Zealand Wine Regions
Each of these popular varietals thrives in specific New Zealand regions due to unique climate and soil conditions. Understanding these regional differences helps you choose wines that truly represent what makes New Zealand wine special on the global stage.
For those interested in exploring regional differences further, our guide to understanding wine regions vs grape varieties provides valuable insights, whilst our food pairing guides help you make the most of these exceptional New Zealand wines.
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