Waikato

[why-KAH-toh] New Zealand's smallest winegrowing region, which lies around the Waikato River, about 90 minutes south of the city of Auckland. This area typically includes the Bay of Plenty, which adjoins Waikato on its western boundary just over the Kaimai Range, and where a few wineries are scattered along the Bay. The vineyards here are still quite small, with a little over 300 acres planted between them. The most widely cultivated varieties are cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc but there is also chenin blanc, gewürztraminer, merlot, pinot noir, and riesling. This area is warm, humid, and wet, which creates numerous growing challenges. On the other hand, such conditions also create an environment conducive to botrytis cinerea the result of which is delicious desert wine made from Riesling and Chardonnay.