Online wine critic platform The Real Review has announced its list of the Top Wineries of New Zealand for 2025.
This year’s list showcases 141 producers at the top of their game in Aotearoa New Zealand, with Central Otago’s Felton Road re-emerging as the Winery of the Year.
Waiheke’s Destiny Bay also retains its position at number two and in third spot is Te Whare Ra from Marlborough.
This year sees several new entrants to the list, including some newer producers who are making waves with different varieties and styles.
“Significant gains were made by South Island producers who had a less challenging vintage in 2023 than their cousins in the north,” says Stephen Wong MW.
“This was mostly at the expense of Hawke’s Bay producers who bore the brunt of Cyclone Gabrielle that year, destroying vineyards, buildings and vines.
“Despite the challenges, there were some beautiful wines snatched from the jaws of defeat, as amply demonstrated by Te Mata Estate rising to seventh place.”
Central Otago continues to strengthen its position on the list with 42 producers (who are either wholly or partly in the region), translating to 29.7%.
North Canterbury claims 10 wineries on the list, or 7.1% of the total (up from 5.7% a year ago); and the Wairarapa (which also has 3% of the national vineyard) has 14 producers, representing 10% of the total list.
The top 10 wineries are:
- Felton Road, Bannockburn
- Destiny Bay, Waiheke Island
- Te Whare Ra Wines, Malborough
- Framingham, Marlborough
- Dry River Wines, Martinborough
- Prophet’s Rock, Bendigo
- Te Mata Estate, Hawke’s Bay
- Rippon, Wanaka
- Ata Rangi, Martinborough
- Pyramid Valley Vineyards, North Canterbury
There were also a number of new awards categories introduced this year and those winners are…
Vigneron of the Year
Anna and Jason Flowerday
Te Whare Ra, Marlborough
Rising Star of the Year
Simon Sharpe and Lauren Keenan
A Thousand Gods, Canterbury
Sparkling Wine of the Year
Quartz Reef Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs 2017
Central Otago
Rosé Wine of the Year
Te Whare Ra Single Vineyard 5182 Rosé 2023
Marlborough
Red Wine of the Year
Doctor’s Flat Pinot Noir 2021
Central Otago
Sweet Wine of the Year
Astrolabe Wrekin Vineyard Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2022
Marlborough
“We judged each category on their own against their peers and in each case, the panel selected the wine or producer they felt best embodied the spirit and substance of the award,” says Wong.
“It is perhaps a testament to the great work being done in these two regions [Central Otago and Marlborough] that they have claimed all the awards between them, but it should not be overlooked that great wine and good work is being made throughout the country – as can be clearly seen in the wider diversity in the list of finalists.”
To see the full list of Top New Zealand wineries, click here.
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