What is the most popular wine in New Zealand?
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, Marlborough is the region that stands out. Located on the northern tip of the South Island, it's known for its sunny climate, cool nights, and well-draining soils — the perfect environment for the crisp, refreshing, aromatic Sauvignon Blancs New Zealand is famous for.
Our Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc and Mahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc perfectly exemplify this Marlborough style, with 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 is grown in a few regions, but Central Otago is synonymous with Pinot Noir. In the southern part of the South Island, it's known for its crisp, dry climate and unique terroir. Central Otago Pinot Noir 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. The best-known Chardonnays, though, come from Hawke's Bay on the east coast of the North Island, where a warm climate and fertile soils produce rich, creamy, buttery Chardonnays.
Our Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay demonstrates this beautifully, while our Mahi Marlborough Chardonnay shows the more mineral, elegant style 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. The best Merlots are associated with the Gimblett Gravels, where stony soils and a warm climate produce full-bodied, fruity, robust Merlots.
Our Trinity Hill Hawke's Bay Merlot showcases this regional style perfectly, with 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 come from Waiheke Island, where a warm climate and stony soils produce full-bodied, tannic, 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 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 were 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's listed and by vintage popularity (for example, in 2023 the Man O' War Pinot Gris saw exceptional sales). We're also delighted to now offer 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 thanks 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 further, our guide to wine regions vs grape varieties offers useful insights, while our food pairing guide helps you make the most of these wines.
Browse our complete New Zealand wine collection, or call Laura on 021 591 500 for recommendations based on your taste.