16 New Zealand wines to try

Best New Zealand Wines

Halliday has begun tasting New Zealand wines! We're thrilled to be able to bring you reviews and scores for the best New Zealand wines, and, of course, there will be plenty of Marlborough sauvignon blanc, Hawke's Bay syrah, Central Otago chardonnay, along with New Zealand pinot gris and New Zealand riesling.

The Tasting Team members spreading their wings into NZ wine are Dave Brookes, Mike Bennie, Shanteh Wale and Jane Faulkner.

Below you'll find some of the best New Zealand white wines and some of the best New Zealand red wines. Try the Hunting Hill Chardonnay from Kumeu River, which Jane calls "moreish and mouth-watering", along with Carrick's Cairnmuir Terraces EBM Chardonnay, which Dave says is "super stuff."

After a Marlborough sauvignon blanc? Say no more. The 2023 TWR Te Whare Ra Sauvignon Blanc has been awarded 95 points by Shanteh. "Lots of value here, for the price tag, and a memorable wine." It's $29 (NZD).

For the red wine drinkers, especially those looking for a better than good pinot noir, there's a 97-pointer from Felton Road. Dave says it's "Supple, wonderfully complex and pure with terrific length of flavour, powdered, schisty tannins and mineral-laden cadence, finishing juicy and vital. Just lovely." 

You might know and love Giesen Marlborough sauvignon blanc, but have you tried the Giesen Clayvin Southern Valleys Pinot Noir? The 2021 vintage has scored 96 points.

And for those searching for the Valli Central Otago Pinot Noir, you're in the right place, the pinot from the Bendigo vineyard has been scored 96 points.

Become a member and receive a free 95-point shiraz from Greenock Creek

Join Halliday Wine Companion today and receive a free bottle of Greenock Creek Wines Apricot Block Shiraz 2021, rated 95-points and valued at $70 RRP. Use code GREENOCK.

As a Halliday member, you'll unlock a growing library of over 175,000 tasting notes from over 3500 wineries across Australia and New Zealand. A dedicated email every week with our latest tasting notes, access to thousands of digital articles, four issues of Halliday magazine delivered to your door, your own personal Virtual Cellar to manage your wines, and much more.

New Zealand Winegrowers Inc, Batch Winery.