Top 10 Rosé 2026

To celebrate NZ Rosé Day on 5 February, I’ve selected ten standout rosés from the wines I’ve tasted over the past 12 months, shining a spotlight on bottles that deliver quality, enjoyment, interest, and value.
This year’s line-up features five wines from Central Otago, two from North Canterbury, and one each from Gisborne and Marlborough. Pinot Noir leads the charge stylistically, alongside one Blanc de Noirs, a Merlot–Syrah blend, and a Pinot-based rosé blended with aromatic white varieties — a diverse mix that showcases both regional character and creative winemaking across New Zealand.

 

You are invited

Firstly, I’d love to invite you to join me for a tasting of my Top 10 Rosé selections — a relaxed and delicious line-up celebrating some of New Zealand’s most exciting rosés. Ticket links are below:

🌹 Wellington – 20 Feb
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/top-10-rose-wellington-tickets-1982253482527

🌹 Queenstown – 26 Feb
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/top-10-rose-queenstown-tickets-1982254583821

🌹 Auckland – 28 Feb
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/top-10-rose-auckland-tickets-1982256049204

The lineup

In no particular order, here’s the list of Top 10 Rosés:

Misha’s Vineyard The Soloist Pinot Rosé 2025, Central Otago

A single-vineyard estate with a no-compromise philosophy. Founded by Misha and Andy after successful marketing careers in Singapore, the pair followed their lifelong passion for food and wine, starting fresh in New Zealand to build a vineyard from the ground up. Plantings began in 2004, and today the estate exports to 17 countries.

The Soloist Pinot Rosé stands among New Zealand’s finest, consistently delivering quality with an elegant and captivating profile. The fruit is lightly crushed with some stalks and left on skins for around three hours; same as the previous vintage, less extractive process with a similarly light colour. Fermented mostly in stainless steel, with 7% in older oak, 14% alc and 2 g/L residual sugar.

Read the full review HERE.

Shop Misha’s Vineyard Wines.

Terrace Edge Rosé 2025, North Canterbury

Founded in 1999, Terrace Edge is a three-time New Zealand Organic Vineyard Champion, known for thoughtful, low-intervention farming that works in harmony with nature. The team favours hands-on vineyard care, biological sprays over chemicals, and beneficial fungi and bacteria to nurture a healthy, living ecosystem.

Rooted in the distinctive Glasnevin gravel soils of Waipara Valley, this site expresses exceptional ripeness, texture, minerality, and a rich aroma profile. Vineyard Manager Mark Hayers brings years of experience and dedication, guiding each vine to thrive in the unique Waipara terroir.

A blend of 74% Pinot Noir and 26% Syrah, the parcels are machine harvested separately, given a short soak (no more than 6 hours), then gently pressed and fermented almost dry for balance. A brief 1–2 months on lees adds subtle texture before blending and bottling.

Read the full review HERE.

Shop Terrace Edge Wines.

Matawhero Pinot Rosé 2025, Gisborne

The Matawhero story began with two of New Zealand’s early wine pioneers in the 1960s and continues today under the passionate stewardship of Kirsten and Richard Searle, who took over the vineyard and winery in 2008. As trusted Kaitiaki (guardians), they honour the estate’s legacy while championing the distinctive styles of the Tairāwhiti–Gisborne region.

Fruit for this Rosé comes from the Matawhero Riverpoint “Home” Vineyard in the Central Valley and Riverpoint appellations. Planted to Dijon 777 clone, the vines are carefully managed with just three canes laid down each season, resulting in naturally low yields, early ripening, and beautifully concentrated fruit.

Gently pressed from Pinot Noir, the juice is cold-soaked for colour and flavour, then cool-fermented to highlight bright red berries and florals. Light clarification and gentle fining preserve a silky, fresh, and elegant finish.

Read the full review HERE.

Shop Matawhero Wines.

Wooing Tree Rosé 2025, Central Otago 

Family-owned Wooing Tree is one of Central Otago’s most loved producers, celebrated for its award-winning Pinot Noir and cult favourite “Blondie.” Nestled beneath the Pisa Ranges, the 16-hectare Pink Moon vineyard is devoted mainly to Pinot Noir, with small plantings of Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer.

The century-old Wooing Tree — a local landmark once known as a romantic meeting spot — stands proudly by the Cellar Door, symbolising connection and special moments.

Crafted by winemaker Austin Black, this Rosé is handpicked, vegan-friendly, and made from 100% Pinot Noir. Gentle whole-bunch pressing and cool stainless steel fermentation deliver a fresh, vibrant style with 13.5% alc and 6.65 g/L residual sugar.

Read the full review HERE.

Shop Wooing Tree Wines.

Three Miners Rocker Box Rosé 2025, Central Otago

Seeking a lifestyle change and a life closer to the land, plant scientist Kirstin Wright and her husband Paul traded Canterbury for the vineyards of Central Otago. Today, Kirstin has swapped university research for hands-on vineyard management, while Paul balances construction work with time in the vines — a true family-run passion project.

Three Miners Vineyard sits in the Earnscleugh Valley between Alexandra and Clyde, planted on shallow, free-draining Molyneux sandy loam and stony soils — ideal for expressive Pinot Noir. Established in 2000, the site now covers 15.5 ha and is planted predominantly to Pinot Noir, with select blocks of Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer.

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, the fruit is whole-bunch pressed, settled, and cool-fermented in tank to preserve purity and freshness, with fermentation stopped at the ideal balance of flavour, sugar, and acidity.

Read the full review HERE.

Shop Three Miners Wines.

Greystone Rosé 2025, North Canterbury

At Greystone, sustainability isn’t a buzzword — it’s a way of life. From organic and regenerative viticulture to energy-efficient practices across the winery, packaging, and even the Cellar Door, every decision is made with care for the land and a commitment to doing better.

Pinot Noir was soaked overnight in cool conditions for gentle colour and flavour extraction before pressing to tank, while the Riesling was whole-bunch pressed to preserve finesse. After settling, the juices were blended and cool fermented, followed by three months on full lees to build subtle texture and length.

Read the full review HERE.

Shop Greystone Wines.

Te Kano Rosé 2024, Central Otago

“Sowing the seeds today for generations tomorrow,” Te Kano is built on a long-term vision — farming organically and regeneratively to protect the land, honour cultural heritage, and leave a lasting legacy. Every step is taken lightly, with care for community, environment, and the future.

Fruit for this Rosé comes primarily from the Northburn vineyard, with a portion from Bannockburn’s Jerome block. Northburn brings bright acidity and delicate aromatics, while reflective schist soils promote even ripening and a distinctive mineral edge balanced by ripe fruit. Handpicked grapes are gently pressed for minimal colour extraction, then cool fermented in stainless steel to preserve purity and elegance. Four months on light lees adds texture and mid-palate depth.

Read the full review HERE.

Shop Te Kano Wines.

Soho Family Vineyards Westwood Rosé 2025, Waiheke

Founded by Rachael Carter, SOHO Family Vineyards blends bold creativity with serious winemaking. After building a career supplying screwcaps to most of the NZ wine industry, Rachael channelled her entrepreneurial spirit into crafting a boutique label known for stylish branding and award-winning wines designed for the world’s best bars and restaurants.

Westwood is a single-vineyard Rosé from the Carter family’s Onetangi site on Waiheke Island. A blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Merlot, it’s fermented and matured entirely in stainless steel to capture freshness and vibrancy.

Read the full review HERE.

Shop Soho Wines.

Kinross Aura Gibbston Blanc de Noirs 2025, Central Otago

Kinross is more than a cellar door, it’s a true wine destination, showcasing some of Central Otago’s finest producers while producing an impressive range under its own label, guided by General Manager of Wine, Thomas Moschetta. Since taking over the estate in 2013, Christine and John Erkkila have carefully revitalised the vineyard, with their first Kinross vintage released in 2018.

Aura Blanc de Noirs is made entirely from Pinot Noir grown in the cool, elevated vineyards of Gibbston. Harvested late April and vinified as a white wine with minimal skin contact, it captures the purity and freshness of the variety in a bright, fruit-forward style.

Read the full review HERE.

Shop Kinross Wines.

OTU Limited Release Pinot Noir Rosé 2025, Marlborough

Named after the ancient Ōtūwhero River, OTU is truly wild coast grown. Just 2km from Marlborough’s rugged Awatere coastline, the cooler, windier conditions naturally lower yields, producing small, intensely flavoured berries with bright, zesty character.

The 100% estate Pinot Noir is picked at optimal ripeness, gently crushed, bled off, and cool-fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness and vibrant berry notes.

Read the full review HERE.

Shop OTU Wines.