Nelson is the sunshine capital of New Zealand and it certainly is a region that lets the sun shine in – clocking up well in excess of 2400 sunshine hours every year. As the second-oldest settled city in New Zealand (and the oldest in the South Island) Nelson was named in 1842 in honour of Admiral Horatio Nelson who, at the Battle of Trafalgar, defeated the French. Who would have known that 150 years later Nelson would start stomping on French sensitivities again with a challenge to those grape varieties the French hold so closely – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Misha talks to some of the region’s founding winemakers to understand why they chose to establish their vineyards across the hill from their much bigger neighbouring region, Marlborough and what they believe makes their region so special.
To read the full article download the PDF version below.
Seasons in the Sun – Download PDF
Misha’s feature “Across the ditch” with stories of interest to the New Zealand wine industry are published in Wine Business Magazine each month.
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