Known as an arty, cultural area, Nelson is slap bang next door to Marlborough, about 75 km to the East to be precise. It has a breathtaking landscape of rolling hills and plains, as well as a superb coastline. In recent years, Nelson has become a region to watch. It is gaining quite a reputation for its aromatic whites and Pinot Noirs produced by family-owned wineries. Climatically, Nelson is cooler than Marlborough. However, the high rainfall and subsequent humidity can bring mildew issues. A big plus is a maritime influence that protects the region from temperature extremes.
The majority of Nelson's vineyards are planted to Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The soils range from alluvial loams in the valleys to the clay loams and subsoils of the hills influenced by the gravels of an ancient river system that wind their way through them. These soil profiles, especially the clay, play their part in the rich, expressive wines the region produces.
The wine styles from the region range from long-lived Rieslings of various sweetness levels, to luscious, nutty Chardonnays and perfumed, plummy Pinot Noirs. Structurally, all wines tend to have a solid backbone of acidity with an appealing minerally edge that gives the wines an elegant feel.
