Nelson Vineyards
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Nelson Vinyards - Gravity Cellars
Nelson, situated west of Marlborough at the top of the South Island, is home to 3 national parks, which along with settled sunny weather and golden sandy beaches make it a very attractive visitor destination.
Nelson also has many small, family-owned wineries. Vineyards are planted on the rolling Moutere Hills, the 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 make up the majority of vineyard plantings, however it is arguably Chardonnay that excels in the region. Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer are also popular grapes.
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Judy and Rosie Finn of Neudorf Vineyards and Rosie's son Toby. Anna from Seifried Estate.
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, as well as 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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In a recent visit to Nelson, I enjoyed catching up with Rosie Finn and Anna Seifried as well as Mark McGill of Abel Wines, 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 innovative sparkling wine from Nelson apples.
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View from Mapua Wharf.
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Patrick Stowe of Rimu Grove Wines.
In the picturesque coastal town of Mapua, the Rimu Grove Winebar, 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 Sheild Wines, previously winemaker at Waimea Estate, considers the Spanish white grape Albarino ideal for 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 Gravity Cellars, formally Mahana Estate, with its dramatic views of Tasman Bay, who are now owned by the Booster Group, the kiwisaver fund who purchased Waimea Estate, Sileni in Hawke’s Bay and Awatere River Wine founded by Louis Vavasour in Marlborough. Gravity Cellars have one Cuisine Hat 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 Vineyard and Restaurant offers great dining and cellar door tastings 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 Flaxmore Vineyards dry farms his Chardonnay and Pinot Gris in the Moutere Hills which he believes enables the true terroir to shine through. Their cellar door also showcases a gallery of local art.
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The Heaphy 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 Boutinot, who also bottle and distribute wine in the UK.
Rosé wines also suit the Nelson climate 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. Map of Nelson wineries.
Other helpful websites:
Celia Hay
February 2026
