New Zealand’s reputation as a world-class wine-producing nation continues to rise, and the latest Wine-Searcher ranking of the Best Wines of New Zealand 2025 confirms the country’s dynamic evolution.
From the steep slopes of Central Otago to the coastal vineyards of Hawke’s Bay and the volcanic soils of Auckland, this year’s list celebrates the diversity, craftsmanship, and maturity of a wine industry that refuses to stand still.
Over the past four decades, New Zealand has established itself as a benchmark for quality, balance, and innovation. Its geographical diversity, stretching across two long islands influenced by both maritime and alpine climates, allows producers to craft wines with distinct character and purity. The 2025 ranking highlights this range, showing how Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux blends coexist within a single national identity defined by precision and elegance.
1. Rippon Tinker’s Field Mature Vine Pinot Noir (Central Otago)
Price: USD 108 | Critic Score: 95
Crowned as New Zealand’s best wine for 2025, the Rippon Tinker’s Field Mature Vine Pinot Noir embodies the character and beauty of Central Otago. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wanaka, Rippon has been family-owned since 1975, when Rolfe Mills – affectionately known as “Tink” – first planted vines on this dramatic alpine site. Today, the estate is synonymous with Pinot Noir of depth, finesse, and minerality, shaped by schist soils and biodynamic viticulture.
2. Te Mata Estate Coleraine (Hawke’s Bay)
Price: USD 92 | Critic Score: 94
Te Mata, established in 1896, remains one of New Zealand’s most historic estates. Its flagship wine, Coleraine, is a Cabernet Sauvignon–Merlot–Cabernet Franc blend that captures the structure and longevity of great Bordeaux while retaining the freshness typical of Hawke’s Bay. Named after the owners’ ancestral home in Ireland, Coleraine is revered for its cellaring potential, often improving over a decade or more.
3. Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay (Auckland)
Price: USD 75 | Critic Score: 94
A Chardonnay benchmark, Kumeu River’s Mate’s Vineyard stands as a testament to the Brajkovich family’s pioneering spirit. Founded in 1944, the winery transitioned from producing fortified wines to Burgundy-style whites in the 1980s. In blind tastings, Kumeu River Chardonnays have surpassed even top Burgundian counterparts, earning international acclaim. The Mate’s Vineyard cuvée is celebrated for its complexity, balance, and subtle oak integration.
4. Trinity Hill Homage Syrah (Hawke’s Bay)
Price: USD 91 | Critic Score: 94
Established in 1993 in the Gimblett Gravels subregion, Trinity Hill has become synonymous with expressive, Rhône-inspired Syrah. The Homage Syrah—the estate’s flagship wine—offers depth, spice, and concentration, underpinned by Hawke’s Bay’s stony terroir. It remains one of the most consistent expressions of cool-climate Syrah outside of Europe.
5. Bilancia La Collina Syrah (Hawke’s Bay)
Price: USD 91 | Critic Score: 94
The Bilancia La Collina Syrah highlights balance and precision—values embedded in the winery’s name (“bilancia” meaning “balance” in Italian). Founded in 1997 by Lorraine Leheny and Warren Gibson, Bilancia has earned a reputation for crafting refined Syrah with floral aromatics and supple tannins. La Collina, from a steep hillside vineyard, is a true reflection of Hawke’s Bay terroir.
6. Bell Hill Pinot Noir (North Canterbury)
Price: USD 242 | Critic Score: 94
From the limestone-rich soils of North Canterbury, Bell Hill Vineyard represents artisanal excellence. Founded in 1997, the estate focuses exclusively on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both grown using organic and biodynamic methods. The Bell Hill Pinot Noir is among New Zealand’s most coveted wines, known for its fine structure and remarkable aging potential.
7. Te Whare Ra Clayvin Single Vineyard Pinot Noir (Marlborough)
Price: USD 57 | Critic Score: 96
Te Whare Ra (TWR)—meaning “house in the sun”—has been producing exceptional wines under Anna and Jason Flowerday since 2003. The Clayvin Single Vineyard Pinot Noir exemplifies Marlborough’s potential beyond Sauvignon Blanc, delivering remarkable texture and purity. Certified organic and biodynamic, this is the highest-scoring wine in the 2025 ranking.
8. Rippon Emma’s Block Mature Vine Pinot Noir (Central Otago)
Price: USD 91 | Critic Score: 94
A second entry for Rippon in this year’s ranking, the Emma’s Block Pinot Noir comes from a parcel of older vines expressing the elegance and minerality typical of the Wanaka slopes. It showcases delicate fruit, fine tannins, and exceptional balance, reinforcing Rippon’s dominance in the Pinot Noir category.
9. Prophet’s Rock Retrospect Pinot Noir (Central Otago)
Price: USD 127 | Critic Score: 94
Founded in 1999, Prophet’s Rock has become one of Central Otago’s most distinctive producers under winemaker Paul Pujol, whose experience in Burgundy and Oregon informs the estate’s restrained style. The Retrospect Pinot Noir is only released in outstanding vintages and represents a synthesis of purity, tension, and longevity.
10. Ata Rangi McCrone Block Pinot Noir (Martinborough)
Price: USD 77 | Critic Score: 93
An icon of Martinborough, Ata Rangi was founded in 1980 by Clive Paton, a pioneer of New Zealand Pinot Noir. Recognized as the first “Grand Cru of New Zealand” (Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa), Ata Rangi’s wines express the region’s silky texture and earthy complexity. The McCrone Block Pinot Noir continues this legacy with poise and structure.
Regional and Stylistic Insights
The 2025 ranking highlights a clear dominance of Pinot Noir, which accounts for six out of the ten wines. Central Otago, with three representatives, continues to lead the varietal’s evolution in New Zealand, followed by Marlborough, Martinborough, and Canterbury.
Meanwhile, Hawke’s Bay reinforces its position as the country’s red wine heartland, represented by two Syrahs and one Bordeaux blend, all showcasing the Gimblett Gravels’ capacity for power and finesse. The inclusion of Kumeu River Chardonnay underscores the northern regions’ ability to rival the world’s finest white wines.
Unlike the often rigid hierarchies of Bordeaux or Burgundy, New Zealand’s top wines reveal a landscape of diversity and experimentation, reflecting both the freedom and ambition of its winemakers.
Source: Wine-Searcher