The top 50 New Zealand wineries for 2026 have been named, with a Canterbury winery taking the top spot.
Online wine critic platform The Real Review has named Bell Hill from Waipara its Winery of the Year, jumping up the list from 12th place in 2025.
“Bell Hill has firmly
established itself at the forefront of New Zealand winemaking,” Real Review judge Jane Skilton MW said. “The consistency and calibre across the range this year made them a clear standout.”
The annual top wineries list recognises excellence across the country, with judging done algorithmically – more than 4000 wines are tasted and reviewed blind over a period of two years, receiving an overall score. The winery with the highest-scored wines is ultimately named winery of the year.
“This award is very gratifying for us. It validates our reason for being here and recognises our long-term devotion to this site,” Bell Hill’s owners Sherwyn Veldhuizen and Marcel Giesen said. “It’s very humbling to be chosen among such great company.”
Bell Hill claimed top spot ahead of runner-up Felton Road, which was Winery of the Year for 2024 and 2025.
“We work hard, leave no stone unturned and stay deeply connected to the vineyard from start to finish. We want the vineyard to express itself fully, and in turn, for the wine to reflect that care and intent,” Giesen said.
Sherwyn Veldhuizen and Marcel Giesen, owners of North Canterbury winery Bell Hill. Photo / Sonna Studios
It’s been a big year for the winery, gaining acclaim from experts around the world.
“Being included in Eric Asimov’s Most Memorable Wines of the Year selection in The New York Times was a definite highlight, along with the encouragement and support we’ve received from wine writers and reviewers along the way,” Veldhuizen says. “That understanding and people truly ‘getting it’ means a great deal.”
Central Otago’s Prophet’s Rock and Quartz Reef were placed third and fifth, respectively, with Hawke’s Bay’s Bilancia coming in fourth.
Quartz Reef’s Rudi Bauer was named Vigneron of the Year, recognising excellence in viticulture.
Best in Class awards went to Cloudy Bay’s Pelorus Vintage 2013 (Sparkling Wine of the Year), Neudorf’s Home Block Moutere Chardonnay 2024 (White Wine of the Year), Burn Cottage’s Sabines Selection Pinot Noir 2022 (Red Wine of the Year) Chateau Garage’s Lulu Rosé 2025 (Rosé Wine of the Year), and Greywacke’s Botrytis Pinot Gris 2023 (Sweet Wine of the Year).
Vilaura’s Jascha Oldham-Selak and Sanne Witteveen were named Rising Stars of the Year.
Stephen Wong MW, from The Real Review, says it’s an exciting time for great quality wine in Aotearoa.
“This year’s selection continues to evolve, spanning both long-established favourites and exciting new entrants,” Real Review’s Stephen Wong MW said.
“The release of the stellar 2024 vintage across most regions heralds an exciting time for great quality in Aotearoa.”
Enthusiasts can sample 80 of this year’s award-winning wines and meet the winemakers at the Taste the Top Wineries event at Morningside’s Glasshouse on August 15.
The Real Review’s Top 50 Wineries of New Zealand 2025
Bell Hill – Waikari, North CanterburyFelton Road – Bannockburn, Central OtagoProphet’s Rock – Bendigo, Central OtagoBilancia – Hawke’s BayQuartz Reef – Bendigo, Central OtagoDestiny Bay – Waiheke Island, AucklandTe Whare Ra Wines – Renwick, MarlboroughNeudorf – Upper Moutere, NelsonRippon – Wānaka, Central OtagoTe Mata Estate – Havelock North, Hawke’s BayDry River Wines – Martinborough, WairarapaPyramid Valley Vineyards – Waikari, North CanterburyKusuda Wines – Martinborough, WairarapaBlack Estate – Waipara, North CanterburyFramingham – Renwick, MarlboroughKumeu River – Kumeu, AucklandA Thousand Gods – MarlboroughTerra Sancta – Bannockburn, Central OtagoPoppies Martinborough – Martinborough, WairarapaWild Irishman – Cromwell, Central OtagoPegasus Bay – Waipara, North CanterburyBurn Cottage – Cromwell, Central OtagoChateau Garage – MarlboroughCraggy Range – Havelock North, Hawke’s BayAta Rangi – Martinborough, WairarapaTe Motu – Waiheke Island, AucklandCloudy Bay – MarlboroughSiren Wine – Hawke’s BayBlank Canvas – MarlboroughElephant Hill Estate – Te Awanga, Hawke’s BaySmith & Sheth – Hawke’s BayTony Bish – Hawke’s BayVilla Maria – AucklandRockburn Wines – Cromwell, Central OtagoMora Wines – Bannockburn, Central OtagoEasthope Winegrowers – Hawke’s BaySchubert Wines – Martinborough, WairarapaHigh Garden Vineyard – Waimauku, AucklandDoctors Flat – Bannockburn, Central OtagoCorofin – MarlboroughFromm Winery – MarlboroughEscarpment – Martinborough, WairarapaClos Henri – MarlboroughGibbston Valley Wines – Gibbston, Central OtagoParitua – Hawke’s BayForager Wine – MarlboroughSquawking Magpie – Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s BayMartinborough Vineyard – Martinborough, WairarapaGreywacke – MarlboroughSato Wines – Bannockburn, Central Otago
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