Moutere Hills

Moutere Hills is a sub-region within the Nelson wine region, part of the broader Nelson Tasman appellation on New Zealand's South Island. It is also referred to as Upper Moutere or Moutere Valley. The region sits within a sheltered inland valley, benefiting from the protection of surrounding mountains that create a rain shadow effect and concentrate sunshine hours.

• Part of Nelson Tasman appellation, South Island, New Zealand
• Also known as Upper Moutere and Moutere Valley
• Rain shadow from surrounding mountains moderates rainfall and maximises ripening potential
• Maritime influence from Tasman Bay shapes the overall climate

The defining characteristic of Moutere Hills is its ancient clay-gravel soils. These clay-rich soils with gravels provide excellent water retention and mineral complexity, contributing directly to the richness and structure found in the region's wines. The climate is maritime, with high sunshine hours exceeding 2,400 annually, warm days, and cool nights that preserve natural acidity and aromatic intensity.

• Ancient clay-gravel soils with high clay content are unique to this sub-region within Nelson
• Over 2,400 sunshine hours annually support consistent ripening
• Warm days and cool nights maintain fresh acidity alongside fruit ripeness
• Maritime climate moderated by Tasman Bay influences overall flavor development

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the signature varieties of Moutere Hills, with the clay-gravel soils lending both weight and complexity. Moutere Chardonnay is full-bodied, with stone fruits, citrus, tropical notes, and a distinct mineral character. Pinot Noir from this sub-region shows elegance, fine tannins, and genuine complexity. The region also grows Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Albariño.

• Chardonnay is the most celebrated variety, producing full-bodied wines with stone fruit, citrus, and mineral notes
• Pinot Noir shows elegance, fine tannins, and complexity from the clay-gravel terroir
• Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Albariño are also grown in the sub-region
• Vineyards are dry-farmed organically on north-facing Moutere gravels

Viticulture in Nelson dates to the 1840s, when German settlers planted the first vines in the region. Modern commercial winemaking in Moutere Hills began in the 1970s. Neudorf Vineyards, established in 1978 by Tim and Judy Finn, was a pioneer of both fine wine production and organic viticulture in the sub-region. Neudorf remains one of New Zealand's benchmark producers, with the Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay widely regarded as one of the country's finest expressions of the variety. Other notable producers include Moutere Hills Vineyard and Seifried Estate.

• First vines in Nelson planted in the 1840s by German settlers
• Modern viticulture in Moutere Hills began in the 1970s
• Neudorf Vineyards founded in 1978 by Tim and Judy Finn, pioneers of organic viticulture here
• Notable producers include Neudorf Vineyards, Moutere Hills Vineyard, and Seifried Estate