Heaphy Vineyard is a small winery in the north-west corner of New Zealand’s South Island, a region named Nelson Tasman. The winery is situated high above Tasman Bay on the Moutere Hills, where 10ha of long-established vineyards are defined by Moutere’s signature clay soils. First planted in 1973, their vines are amongst the very oldest productive vineyards in New Zealand.

Heaphy Vineyard are certified "Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand". This means that their wines are made from grapes grown in 100% SWNZ-certified vineyards and produced in 100% SWNZ-certified winemaking facilities. To be SWNZ certified, all members must complete annual submissions and undergo regular on-site audits conducted by an independent verification company.

Nelson is a small but high-quality wine region located at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, just west of the more famous Marlborough. Sheltered by mountain ranges and bordered by the Tasman Sea, Nelson enjoys a unique combination of coastal and continental influences, contributing to its distinctive wine style.

The region has a cool, maritime climate with high sunshine hours—among the highest in New Zealand—and a long, dry autumn, which supports slow and even grape ripening. Cool nights help preserve natural acidity, while the shelter provided by the Richmond Ranges protects vines from harsh weather, encouraging healthy, balanced fruit development.

Nelson has two main sub-regions: the Moutere Hills, known for clay-rich soils and complex, structured wines, and the Waimea Plains, with fertile, alluvial soils that produce fruit-driven, aromatic styles. Though relatively small in scale, Nelson has earned a strong reputation for premium, handcrafted wines.

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are the most widely planted varieties, often showing a slightly softer, more rounded character than those from Marlborough. Chardonnay is also highly regarded, particularly from the Moutere Hills, along with aromatic whites such as Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer. Nelson is celebrated for its artisan producers and consistently expressive, high-quality wines.

Pinot Gris is a white grape variety originating from France, where it is most famously grown in Alsace. It is a mutation of Pinot Noir and is also known internationally as Pinot Grigio in Italy, where it is typically made in a lighter, crisper style. Despite its name, the grape has a pinkish-grey skin, which can give wines a slightly golden hue.

Pinot Gris is now grown in many cool to moderate climate regions across the world, including New Zealand, Germany (as Grauburgunder), Oregon, Australia, and increasingly in the UK. The style varies widely depending on the region and winemaking approach - from dry and zesty to rich, off-dry or even late-harvest expressions.

Aromatically, Pinot Gris tends to show notes of pear, apple, peach, and citrus, with hints of honeysuckle, spice, and sometimes a touch of smoke or nuttiness. In Alsace, it can produce full-bodied wines with texture and ageing potential, while Italian Pinot Grigio is typically light and fresh.

Viticulturally, Pinot Gris is an early-ripening variety, but it can be sensitive to disease and rot due to its thin skins and compact bunches. It requires careful canopy management and monitoring to maintain acidity and avoid over-ripeness, particularly in warmer climates.