Vintage 2021 - Gisborne
The 2021 harvest was the latest in a run of kind harvests for Gisborne, says Matawhero owner Kirsten Searle.
The Good: The 2025 wine vintage in Gisborne will be remembered as a year when things got a bit more ‘back to normal’. After the challenging, low-yield season of 2024, local vineyards bounced back impressively. The harvest was strong, with more quality fruit on the vines. This allowed winemakers to experiment and innovate, and I’m excited to see the 2025 Gisborne wines flowing steadily to shelves and restaurants throughout New Zealand and beyond.
The Bad: The year has not been without its difficulties. The local wine industry underwent significant changes, driven by rising costs and shifting market dynamics. Some growers and wineries have had to make tough decisions, with some choosing not to harvest fruit or to pull up vines and exit the business altogether. This consolidation has meant a reduction in the diversity of wines and the number of people crafting them. Some of Gisborne’s unique wine traditions are being lost in the process, and the winegrowing community is feeling the impact of these changes.
The Awesome: Despite the challenges, 2025 showcased Gisborne’s enduring strengths, and the vines are in great shape as we get underway with the 2026 vintage. The region’s exceptional soils aren’t going anywhere, and the early season weather has been generous, with ample sunshine and breeze helping vines through to a good budburst. These natural advantages, combined with a long history of weathering the ups and downs, will ensure Gisborne remains set up for a promising future. We look ahead to the 2026 vintage with a sense of hope and excitement. The next 12 months will also see a collection of wineries working together to market and showcase our most famous variety, Chardonnay, in a series of events held in May as part of ‘The Chardonnay Affair’.
