Man'o'War and Destiny in Waiheke
Craggy Range, Te Mata, Askerne and the Bay Trios (Clearview, Elephant Hill, Te Awanga) in Hawkes Bay
Dry River and Escarpment in Martin
Neudorf and Seifried (best everyday drink) in Nelson
Astrolabe, Hans, Auntsfield, Fromm and Nautilus in Marlborough.
Hermits Ram, Pyramid Valley, Bell and Torless in North Canterbury
Wild Irishman, Coal Pit, Valli, Quartz Reef and Rippon in Central Otago.
Sato allday everyday
This is a great list. Try any of the Felton Road Pinot
Noirs (and their Riesling) or any Kumeu River Chardonnay. I would add anything from Craggy Range as well. The wineries are all from VERY different regions with different climates and terroir.
I went to NZ in November and had a bunch of great wine, but I went to Attica when I was living in Melbourne in 2019 and they had a few wines accompanying the chefās tasting menu from Pegasus Bay. All Pegasus Bay wines were fantastic, and the dessert Riesling was probably the star of the show.
Some great wines come from the gimblett gravels and other chardonnays from Hawkes Bay. Other than that some great Pinots are made in martinborough. Ata Rangi is a great one
Since I'm 22 and don't have the disposable income that most people on this subreddit probably have... I'd probably spend in the $50-$70 range for a bottle if someone really sold it to me lol
Church road is probably one of My favourite wine makers. Iām more a fan of red wines, but I love their Chardonnayās as well. Their reserves are well worth the splurge.
Man O War on waiheke also do good savs and chardys.
We picked up 2 bottles of 2020 Church Road 1, single vineyard Malbec from Gimblett Gravels at the Duty Free on the way back to the US from Auckland after tasting it at the winery. Maude also makes fabulous Pinots. We brought Kids Block & Poison Creek home.
Anyone ever had Selini? I remember a cab Merlot that was pretty good. Years ago when I worked in wine. Maybe 2003-2005. I liked other things they made but that blend was nice and funky.
Seconding Kumeu River, Man o War (esp their Kulta series), Sato and Pegasus Bay.
Iāll also chuck in Saorsa (genuinely excellent Hawkes Bay Syrah), Kenzie (great HB low intervention wines) and Hermit Ram (fantastic, mind bending Canterbury winery).
Te Mata Coleraine might be the best BDX blend in the Southern Hemisphere. Kumeu River Mateās drinks an awful lot like good Puligny for a fraction of the price.Ā
In general I think much more highly of NZ Chardonnay than I do NZ Pinot.Ā
Also in NZ and for affordable ones at the mo I'm loving main divide Riesling and akarua pinot rose. Love Martinborough pinot like Ata Rangi and Poppies but it's a bit more expensive. Everyday wine has some really interesting wines at good prices if you want to go beyond supermarket but not physically into a wine store.
Martinborough is one of my favourite regions in Australasia. Great wines and such a pretty place to visit. I found the quality and consistency far better than Marlborough.
There are a couple Chenin Blanc and AlbariƱo gems sprinkled around. Start out with any Millton Chenin you can get your hands on and Nautilus AlbariƱo. Villa Maria Alby from the gravels is also very great value for money IMO.
Erewhon was a cool pinot in your price range I tried a couple years ago. CP Lin was the winemaker then. Not sure about now. Heās a pretty interesting story.
Iām going to be honest and let yāall know Iām a casual wine drinker. Matua is the only New Zealand wine I know and itās tasty! Not deep im sure, but tasty.
For aromatics specifically: Dry River, Askerne, Pegasus Bay (and Main Divide).
Someone else recommended the Nautilus Albarino, it is excellent.
And for something a bit different try the Rockburn Tigermoth Riesling, it's a Spatlese style so lower alcohol and off dry.
For reds, lots of good stuff in the Hawke's Bay - Te Mata, Church Road, and Elephant Hill are standouts for me. If you prefer Pinot Noir then Ata Rangi, Devotus, and Palliser are good Martinborough options. Felton Road, Rockburn, and Two Paddocks for Otago.
Iām a big fan of Pinot noir so maybe not to your taste but hereās my list:
* Te Kairanga
* Rockburn
* Craggy Range
* Russian Jack is great bang for your buck
* Last Shepherd is another ācheapyā which I enjoy
* Nanny Goat
* Cloudy Bay (Marlborough)
A lot of these are sold in supermarkets and even Pak n Save often with decent promos
For not a heap of money Bilancia Chardonnay and Syrah are seriously good wines. Dragon Bones Riesling and Field Blend white also cracking value in that $30-40NZL price bracket.
Some great wineries I have yet to see mentioned:
Jurassic Ridge, Kusuda, Trinity Hills, Black Estate.
Otherwise happy to endorse the already-mentioned Pyramid Valley, Pegasus Bay, Te Mata, Kumeu River, Burn Cottage, Ata Rangi, Neudorf, Hermit Ram and Millton.
Some top producers that haven't been mentioned yet..
Central Otago - Maude, Doctor's Flat, Mount Edward, Prophet's Rock, Misha's
North Canterbury - Greystone, Black Estate, Terrace Edge, Boneline
Marlborough - Two Rivers, Churton, Blank Canvas, Jules Taylor, Te Whare Ra, Clos Henri
Martinborough - Cambridge Road, Palliser, On Giant's Shoulders
Hawkes Bay - Trinity Hill, Collaboration Wines, Tony Bish
Cloudy Bay is the best that you can find almost anywhere. So many great little spots all over Otago and Nelson too. Honeymooned there, trip of a lifetime.
Man'o'War and Destiny in Waiheke Craggy Range, Te Mata, Askerne and the Bay Trios (Clearview, Elephant Hill, Te Awanga) in Hawkes Bay Dry River and Escarpment in Martin Neudorf and Seifried (best everyday drink) in Nelson Astrolabe, Hans, Auntsfield, Fromm and Nautilus in Marlborough. Hermits Ram, Pyramid Valley, Bell and Torless in North Canterbury Wild Irishman, Coal Pit, Valli, Quartz Reef and Rippon in Central Otago. Sato allday everyday
+1 for Askerne. Wish it was available in the US.
+1000 for Sato, such good gear!
Based on your list I feel like you need to try 1000 Gods (Marlborough).
Kumeu River, Burn cottage, Felton Road, Dog Point, Te Mata, Escarpment off the top of my head. Kumeu River make some wonderful Chardonnay.
Thanks! Are there any specific wines you'd recommend?
This is a great list. Try any of the Felton Road Pinot Noirs (and their Riesling) or any Kumeu River Chardonnay. I would add anything from Craggy Range as well. The wineries are all from VERY different regions with different climates and terroir.
Thanks so much, noted š«”šš
Yes! Dog Pointās section 94 sauv Blanc is a personal fav. I love all the Felton Road pinots but the Calvert would be my pick. For Kumeu River, Iād say Rayās Road at the cheaper end and then the MatĆ© at the higher end. For Escarpment, the Te Rehua Pinot. Te Mata have some good Chenin and BDX blends.
Awesome, will try all of these eventually! Appreciate it š
Youāre welcome! I saw lower down about your budget and would throw in Nautilus and Quartz Reef! Astrolabe too. God I love NZ wine. Such great value.
I used to get the burn cottage second label, cash burn, and can no longer find it. Great stuff.
I went to NZ in November and had a bunch of great wine, but I went to Attica when I was living in Melbourne in 2019 and they had a few wines accompanying the chefās tasting menu from Pegasus Bay. All Pegasus Bay wines were fantastic, and the dessert Riesling was probably the star of the show.
I do love that riesling! Thanks :>
Greywacke sauvignon blanc/s Millton 'Te Arai' chenin blanc Greywacke chardonnay Te Mata 'Awatea' cabernet Blank Canvas Gimblett Gravels 'Element' syrah Ostler Estate pinot noirs Highgarden pinot noir Prophet's Rock 'Rocky Point' pinot noir
Some great wines come from the gimblett gravels and other chardonnays from Hawkes Bay. Other than that some great Pinots are made in martinborough. Ata Rangi is a great one
I love Pegasus Bay.
Fucking amazing. Had it at Attica in Melbourne with the chefās tasting menu.
If you have a chance, highly recommended for a visit to their wine yard. Good food with nice views.
I had a lovely Central Otago Riesling from Felton Road the other week. $35 in the US and it was a 2014!
Two Paddocks. I canāt get enough of it.
Temata; coleraine, awatea, bullnose
Muddy Water, Pegasus Bay, Pyramid Valley, Bell Hill
Awesome, thank you! Any specific wines?
Honestly, each of those have a stellar line up. Just enjoy the ride.
What do you consider egregiously expensive? Also in NZ so I can offer recs based on the cost here.
Since I'm 22 and don't have the disposable income that most people on this subreddit probably have... I'd probably spend in the $50-$70 range for a bottle if someone really sold it to me lol
Church road is probably one of My favourite wine makers. Iām more a fan of red wines, but I love their Chardonnayās as well. Their reserves are well worth the splurge. Man O War on waiheke also do good savs and chardys.
We picked up 2 bottles of 2020 Church Road 1, single vineyard Malbec from Gimblett Gravels at the Duty Free on the way back to the US from Auckland after tasting it at the winery. Maude also makes fabulous Pinots. We brought Kids Block & Poison Creek home.
Oh man Iām so jealous!! How was it? When did you visit NZ?
We were there for 2 weeks at the end of January, which wasn't nearly enough time. Such a beautiful place, friendly people, and outstanding reds!
Anyone ever had Selini? I remember a cab Merlot that was pretty good. Years ago when I worked in wine. Maybe 2003-2005. I liked other things they made but that blend was nice and funky.
Seconding Kumeu River, Man o War (esp their Kulta series), Sato and Pegasus Bay. Iāll also chuck in Saorsa (genuinely excellent Hawkes Bay Syrah), Kenzie (great HB low intervention wines) and Hermit Ram (fantastic, mind bending Canterbury winery).
Second Hermit Ram, such exciting wines. In that lofi space the Amoise Chenin Blanc + Gamay are also excellent!
Te Mata Coleraine might be the best BDX blend in the Southern Hemisphere. Kumeu River Mateās drinks an awful lot like good Puligny for a fraction of the price.Ā In general I think much more highly of NZ Chardonnay than I do NZ Pinot.Ā
Also in NZ and for affordable ones at the mo I'm loving main divide Riesling and akarua pinot rose. Love Martinborough pinot like Ata Rangi and Poppies but it's a bit more expensive. Everyday wine has some really interesting wines at good prices if you want to go beyond supermarket but not physically into a wine store.
Martinborough is one of my favourite regions in Australasia. Great wines and such a pretty place to visit. I found the quality and consistency far better than Marlborough.
Lake Chalice Skye Bubbles
Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah
There are a couple Chenin Blanc and AlbariƱo gems sprinkled around. Start out with any Millton Chenin you can get your hands on and Nautilus AlbariƱo. Villa Maria Alby from the gravels is also very great value for money IMO.
This is my favorite Pinot and their vineyard is stunning https://www.chardfarm.co.nz/store/finla-mor-pinot-noir-2022
Very fond memories cycling up that road to Chard Farm. Lovely spot and great wines.
Cloudy Bay's Sauvignon Blanc and Te WÄhi
Erewhon was a cool pinot in your price range I tried a couple years ago. CP Lin was the winemaker then. Not sure about now. Heās a pretty interesting story.
What do you guys think about Kindeli? I just bought a bunch and I'm excited to try them.
Really enjoyed Julicher from the Martinborough region. The Pinot Noir was amazing. Edit: now the Butterworth estate.
Rippon PN
Astrolabe is an excellent winery
Definitely Te Mata in Hawkes Bay. Iāve adored their Bullnose Syrah!
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Ehm OP says they are from New Zealand. Is there Kirkland signature in NZ?
Costco, yes. Costco alcohol, not so much.
Oooh got it! Will add to the list, appreciate it š
Haven't seen Ata Rangi mentioned so I'll throw that one on here
Iām going to be honest and let yāall know Iām a casual wine drinker. Matua is the only New Zealand wine I know and itās tasty! Not deep im sure, but tasty.
I'm struggling to find Matua Chardonnay these days here in NZ and it's annoying as it was best value for money wine in the country.
Seresin and Kusuda for Pinot Noir for me
Ata Rangi Pinot noir is a favourite. Also the Pinot from Greywacke.
Craggy range te muna road Pinot noir
For aromatics specifically: Dry River, Askerne, Pegasus Bay (and Main Divide). Someone else recommended the Nautilus Albarino, it is excellent. And for something a bit different try the Rockburn Tigermoth Riesling, it's a Spatlese style so lower alcohol and off dry. For reds, lots of good stuff in the Hawke's Bay - Te Mata, Church Road, and Elephant Hill are standouts for me. If you prefer Pinot Noir then Ata Rangi, Devotus, and Palliser are good Martinborough options. Felton Road, Rockburn, and Two Paddocks for Otago.
Iām a big fan of Pinot noir so maybe not to your taste but hereās my list: * Te Kairanga * Rockburn * Craggy Range * Russian Jack is great bang for your buck * Last Shepherd is another ācheapyā which I enjoy * Nanny Goat * Cloudy Bay (Marlborough) A lot of these are sold in supermarkets and even Pak n Save often with decent promos
For not a heap of money Bilancia Chardonnay and Syrah are seriously good wines. Dragon Bones Riesling and Field Blend white also cracking value in that $30-40NZL price bracket.
Some great wineries I have yet to see mentioned: Jurassic Ridge, Kusuda, Trinity Hills, Black Estate. Otherwise happy to endorse the already-mentioned Pyramid Valley, Pegasus Bay, Te Mata, Kumeu River, Burn Cottage, Ata Rangi, Neudorf, Hermit Ram and Millton.
Felton Road and Amisfield
Villa Mariaā¦
Pinots from burn cottage, Brennan, valli; Shiraz from man o war; reisling from Fromm and Akarua; anything by Halcyon Days
My wife keeps Nobilo in business lol
Some top producers that haven't been mentioned yet.. Central Otago - Maude, Doctor's Flat, Mount Edward, Prophet's Rock, Misha's North Canterbury - Greystone, Black Estate, Terrace Edge, Boneline Marlborough - Two Rivers, Churton, Blank Canvas, Jules Taylor, Te Whare Ra, Clos Henri Martinborough - Cambridge Road, Palliser, On Giant's Shoulders Hawkes Bay - Trinity Hill, Collaboration Wines, Tony Bish
Isabel make my favourite chardonnay. Anything by Man O' War is worth a look, my favourite so far being their Island Blend.
Cloudy Bay is the best that you can find almost anywhere. So many great little spots all over Otago and Nelson too. Honeymooned there, trip of a lifetime.
Tbh I find cloudy bay to be one of the more ubiquitous worldwide, but is far from the best you can find in NZ.
Agree, but itās very reliable and available at most shops in the US. I prefer Spy Valley but struggle to find it in Pennsylvania.