From Northland to Otago, New Zealand’s eight significant wine regions often experience very different weather during the grapes’ ripening season. Sunshine, heat and rain, especially during the autumn weeks leading up to the harvest, can strongly influence the quality of the wine. These vintage ratings out of seven are derived from weather reports, talking to key winegrowers and tasting the wines. They are designed as a quick guide to the overall quality of growing seasons (usually called ‘vintages’) around the country.
| 7 = Outstanding |
6 = Excellent |
5 = Above average |
4 = Average |
3 = Below average |
2 = Poor |
1 = Bad |
White Wines
| |
Auckland |
Gisborne |
Hawke’s Bay |
Wairarapa |
Nelson |
Marlborough |
Canterbury |
Otago |
| 2022 |
6 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
| 2021 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
| 2020 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
5–6 |
6–7 |
6–7 |
4 |
| 2019 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
| 2018 |
3–4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3–4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| 2017 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2–5 |
3–4 |
5 |
| 2016 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4–5 |
5–6 |
5 |
| 2015 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
| 2014 |
6 |
6 |
5–6 |
5–6 |
5–6 |
5 |
3–5 |
5 |
| 2013 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
6–7 |
6–7 |
5–6 |
| 2012 |
3–4 |
2 |
3–4 |
3–4 |
4 |
4–5 |
4–5 |
4–6 |
| 2011 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
| 2010 |
7 |
6–7 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
Red Wine
| |
Auckland |
Gisborne |
Hawke’s Bay |
Wairarapa |
Nelson |
Marlborough |
Canterbury |
Otago
|
| 2022 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
| 2021 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
| 2020 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
5–6 |
6–7 |
6–7 |
4 |
| 2019 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
| 2018 |
3–4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
| 2017 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3–5 |
3–4 |
5 |
| 2016 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
5–6 |
5 |
| 2015 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
| 2014 |
5–6 |
5–6 |
5–6 |
5–6 |
5–6 |
5 |
3–5 |
5 |
| 2013 |
6–7 |
7 |
6–7 |
6 |
6 |
6–7 |
6–7 |
5–6 |
| 2012 |
3–5 |
2 |
3 |
3–4 |
4 |
4–5 |
4–5 |
4–6 |
| 2011 |
2 |
2 |
3–4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
| 2010 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
6–7 |
5 |
5–6 |
