Gisborne is located on the eastern corner of New Zealand's North Island where it juts out into the Pacific two-thirds of the way up the coast. Its location makes it the easternmost wine region in the world. Vines were first planted in the 1850s, but the modern wine industry dates from the 1960s when Montana, Penfolds, and Corbans established wineries here.

Gisborne is the third largest of New Zealand's wine districts by volume and Chardonnay is the most widely planted varietal, with Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer following. While the initial results in Gisborne were mixed, new clones and development of hillside vineyards is making this an important source of Chardonnay and aromatic whites, while the regions to the south focus on Sauvignon Blanc. (Wine/Appellations)