Nelson Vineyards
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Nelson Vinyards - Gravity Cellars
Nelson, situated at the top of the South Island, west of Marlborough is home to 3 national parks, along with settled sunny weather and golden sandy beaches make it a very attractive visitor destination.
also has many small, family-owned wineries. Vineyards are planted on the rolling Moutere Hills, and Tasman Coastal region, west of Nelson City and in the Waimea Plains to the south of the city.
In 2025, Nelson has around 1060 hectares under vine which equates at around 2% of New Zealand’s total vineyard area. Nelson’s 613 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc are approximately 60% of Nelson vineyards plantings however it is arguably Chardonnay that excels in the region. Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer are also popular grapes.
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Rosie Finn of Neudorf Vineyards with her son Toby.
Nelson’s wine reputation has, to a great extent, been forged by the fine wines of Judy and Tim Finn from Neudorf Vineyards with the estate now in the hands of daughter Rosie Finn, and the wines of Agnes and Hermann Seifried with management passing to their three children, Heidi, Chris, now head winemaker, and Anna, who is responsible for marketing.
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Mendoza Chardonnay Clone at Neudorf
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Abel Wines
In a recent visit to Nelson, I enjoyed catching up with Rosie Finn and Anna Seifried as well as , the specialist chardonnay vineyard, located in the Moutere Hills. Mark and Sophie McGill, daughter of highly regarded Dog Point and Cloudy Bay winemaker, James Healy, also make two innovative sparkling wine from Nelson apples.
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View from Mapua Wharf
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Patrick Stowe of Rimu Grove Wines
Staying overnight in the picturesque coastal town of Mapua, the owned by Patrick Stowe, winemaker and sommelier, offers a large range of Nelson wines on their extensive wine list which can be tasted by the glass.
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Trudy Sheild of previously winemaker at Waimea Estate, considers the Spanish white grape, Albarino suits the Nelson climate and offers a new style for Chardonnay drinkers.
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Gravity Cellars - extensive menu and wine tasting selection
Wineries with extensive dining options included formally Mahana Estate with its dramatic views of Tasman Bay now owned by the , the kiwisaver fund who purchased , along with Sileni in Hawke’s Bay and Awatere River Wine founded by Louis Vavasour in Marlborough. Gravity Cellars have one and offer elegant local cuisine. Here you can taste all the wines from the Booster portfolio with the exception of Sileni.
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Moutere Hills Winery and Restaurant
offers great dining and cellar door tastes with a wide range of grape varieties including Syrah, Chenin Blanc and Gewurztraminer.
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Moutere Hills also offer a flight of aromatic sweet wines: Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Ice Wine.
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Stuart Anderson of dry farms his Chardonnay, Pinot Gris in the Moutere Hills which he believes enables the true terroir to shine through. Their cellar door also offers a gallery of local art.
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The vineyard was first planted in 1973 by Sigmund Seifried before they established their estate, closer to Nelson City. Since 2022, Heaphy has been owned by the British wine group, who also bottle and distribute wine in the UK.
Rosé wines also suit the Nelson vibe with Heaphy making a rosé from the Italian grape, Montepulciano, Sheild's rosé is from Pinot Meunier, Flaxmore make rosé from the highly regarded Pinot Noir Abel clone.
The winery cellar doors are within easy driving distance from Nelson City.
Other helpful websites:
Celia Hay
February 2026
