This popular wine tasting tour introduces you to the two Nelson wine growing regions which, though adjoining, even overlapping in places, are distinctly different. The Waimea Plains, ‘River Garden’ in Maori, just to the South of Richmond is an alluvial plain with stony soils, lying under an open sky ensuring long summer days, tempered with sea breezes flowing in from Tasman Bay, which bounds one edge of the Plains. This is ideal for aromatic wines, making them vibrant with strong fruit flavours. The main varieties grown here tend to be Chardonnay, Pinot and Sauvignon.
Meanwhile, just to the west of the Plains the ground rises to the gently rolling Moutere Hills region, with its weathered gravels from ancient river systems, mixed with clay. This region is renowned for the richness and texture of its wines, usually more complicated in flavour than those from the Plains. In addition to the aromatics grown on the Plains, growers in the Hills also grow Riesling, Tempranillo and other varieties.