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

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.

Sauvignon Blanc is a highly aromatic white grape variety that originated in the Loire Valley of France, where it still thrives in appellations like Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Its name is derived from the French words sauvage (wild) and blanc (white), reflecting its vigorous growth and bright, zesty character.

Viticulturally, Sauvignon Blanc is an early-ripening variety that prefers cooler climates, where it retains its hallmark acidity and intense aromatics. It is sensitive to terroir, with soil and climate having a strong influence on flavour expression. The grape is prone to high yields and requires careful canopy management to preserve fruit quality and aromatic intensity.

Today, Sauvignon Blanc is grown globally, with significant plantings in France, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, the United States (notably California), and Australia. New Zealand’s Marlborough region has become especially renowned for producing vibrant, intensely aromatic examples.

Sauvignon Blanc is known for its crisp acidity and lively flavours, typically showcasing notes of gooseberry, green apple, lime, passion fruit, and fresh herbs. In cooler regions, it leans towards grassy and citrusy, while warmer climates bring out tropical fruit. Styles range from unoaked and fresh to barrel-aged and textural, and it’s also used in sweet wines, such as Sauternes when blended with Sémillon.