Two Rows › All sub-regions
Six sub-regions, one table
Both "Marlborough" and "Central Otago" are umbrella names for three distinct sub-regions each. If you're planning which specific valley or basin to prioritise rather than just which region, this is the comparison that actually matters.
| Sub-region | Region | Share / rank | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wairau Valley | Marlborough | ~45% of Marlborough | Ripe, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc |
| Awatere Valley | Marlborough | ~33% of Marlborough | Cooler, herbaceous, "tomato stalk" edge |
| Southern Valleys | Marlborough | ~22% of Marlborough, largest by area | Hillier, smaller boutique producers |
| Bannockburn | Central Otago | Warmest, driest sub-region | Concentrated, structured Pinot Noir |
| Gibbston | Central Otago | First commercial release, 1987 | Lighter, floral, cooler-climate Pinot Noir |
| Bendigo | Central Otago | Widely cited southernmost wine area on earth | Rich, full-bodied, fruit-driven Pinot Noir |
Cromwell, Alexandra, and the Wānaka basin sit alongside these three core Central Otago sub-regions with smaller numbers of producers each — worth a stop if you've already worked through Bannockburn, Gibbston, and Bendigo.