26 of the best New Zealand wines for under $20. Gold Winning red, white & sparkling wines. Affordable, delicious and ready for summer.
Since 2003, the New World Wine Awards has been finding a top drop at a great price.
Over time, we’ve increased the limit from $20 to $25 to include more quality wines in the competition. This compilation takes us back to our original goal: Helping you find the best tasting wines in New Zealand for under $20.
Related article:
Read our guide to New Zealand Wine Styles
Best Pinot Noir under $20
Pair our favourite pinot noirs with these foods:
Pinot Noir is lighter in colour and richness than some reds but does not lack in power to enhance a wide range of dishes. Fabulous with duck confit with duck fat roasted potatoes, rack of lamb with herb crust and meltingly delicious slow-cooked pork belly. It can partner poultry as well as beefy casseroles, and the iconic pizza margherita is absolutely yummy with Pinot.
Misty Cove Estate Pinot Noir 2023
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Energetic and well-balanced with plum, raspberry and sweet leather.
Welcome Swallow Pinot Noir 2023
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Central Otago, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Bright and juicy with fine tannins and great concentration.
Grove Mill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Juicy raspberry, cherry and plum with cedar and silky tannins.
Best New Zealand Shiraz & Syrah under $20
Church Road Syrah 2021
Variety: Shiraz and Syrah
Region: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: The Champion Syrah/Shiraz from an excellent vintage. Fruit-forward and opulent.
Trinity Hill Hawke's Bay Syrah 2021
Variety: Shiraz and Syrah
Region: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Top-value red with silky tannins, dark fruit and savoury spice.
Best New Zealand aromatic wines under $20
te Pā 2024 Marlborough Riesling
Variety: Aromatics
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Intense, pretty, and floral with a long refreshing finish.
Tohu SV Whenua Matua Albariño 2021
Variety: Aromatics
Region: Nelson, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: The Champion Aromatic, Tangy, textured and fresh with lime and floral notes and a crisp finish.
Best New Zealand Chardonnay under $20
Chardonnay comes in many shapes and sizes. With a lighter style, try fresh seafoods and soft brie or camembert cheese – it’s also fabulous with crunchy salads, such as Caesar or Waldorf.
If you love the richer, more powerful Chardonnays, try roast salmon with soy glaze, seafood chowder, carbonara or roast chicken. Cashew butter curry and baked fish with creamy lemon sauce are also amazing with buttery Chardonnays.
Church Road Chardonnay 2023
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: The Champion White Wine and unashamedly old school! Toasty, nutty and buttery - a winning combination.
Clearview Estate Coastal Chardonnay 2023
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Instantly likeable with ripe citrus notes and a long finish.
Related article:
Read our Chardonnay Wine Guide
Best New Zealand Pinot Gris under $20
Pinot Gris is a gorgeous all-rounder when it comes to its ability to pair with such a variety of food styles. Excellent with picnic nibbles, spring rolls and dumplings, it’s also flavoursome enough to complement chicken soup, coconut-based curries and stir-fries.
Triplebank Awatere Valley Pinot Gris 2024
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: A real crowd-pleaser that is richly textured and well-balanced.
Matahiwi Estate Pinot Gris, Wairarapa 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Wairarapa, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Finely textured and fruity with tropical flavours and great length.
Selaks Taste Collection Pear and Apple Pinot Gris 2024
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Immediately appealing with enticing pear and apple flavours.
Thornbury Waipara Pinot Gris 2024
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: North Canterbury, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: The Champion Pinot Gris with great concentration and intense flavours.
Related article:
Read our Pinot Gris Wine Guide
Best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc under $20
With its punchy and upfront flavours with zesty mouthfeel, Sauvignon loves seafood of all kinds, especially mussel fritters, sashimi, smoked salmon and barbeque prawns. The wine can also handle mild spicy food with ease, such as Thai yellow and green curries. The classic Caprese salad of tomato, basil and mozzarella is a must-try with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Triplebank Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: The Champion Sauvignon Blanc with pristine fruit, intense flavours and great length.
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: "“Classic” and expressive with crunchy ripe fruit and exquisite balance."
Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Upfront and lively, with universal appeal.
The Hunting Lodge Expressions Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Lovely fresh flavours with oyster shell minerality.
Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Style: Dry White Wine
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Punchy, crunchy and refreshing with great citrus and tropical flavours.
Selaks Taste Collection Tropical Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Tropical, punchy and bright with guava and apple flavours.
Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: A classic drop with lovely fruit flavours and a zingy finish.
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Best sparkling wines under $20
Looking for a pairing for sparkling wine?
The number one pick for celebration cheers. Bubbles are also versatile when it comes to food pairing, from freshly shucked oysters and prawn cocktails to fish & chips and loaded fries. Vietnamese fresh rolls and guacamole also work beautifully with the wine’s bright acidity. It’s also super comfortable with a cheese platter with spiced nuts, dried fruits and salty prosciutto.
Lindauer Special Reserve Blanc de Blancs NV
Variety: Bubbles
Region: Gisborne, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Complex and creamy, a top-notch bubbles for any occasion.
Lindauer Special Reserve Rosé NV
Variety: Bubbles
Region: Regional Blend
Price: Under $20
Key notes: The Champion Sparkling, with delightful flavours and great creamy texture.
Best Rosé wines under $20
Looking for a rosé food pairing?
This sunshine in a glass wine offers a myriad of options – great with antipasto platters and much more. Watermelon, mint and feta salad? Brilliant. Christmas ham with sticky glaze? Of course. Sushi with all kinds of fillings? Absolutely. Rosé offers juicy fruit intensity, which goes splendidly well with soft cheeses like brie and mozzarella, as well as a heart-warming spicy roasted-tomato soup.
Tohu Nelson Rosé 2024
Variety: Rosé
Region: Nelson, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Charming - strawberries and cream with a crisp finish.
Ara Single Estate Rosé 2023
Variety: Rosé
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Textural with ripe fruit flavours and a lingering finish.
Holdaway Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2024
Variety: Rosé
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Highly perfumed and sophisticated. Great for summer dining alfresco.
Caythorpe Family Estate Marlborough Rosé 2023
Variety: Rosé
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Floral scented and fresh with dazzling fruit and a creamy finish.
Affordable wines for any occasion
These wines represent the peak of all the gold medal-winning wines under $20. Whether you’re looking for sparkling, Rosé, red or white, there are many more quality, award-winning wines under $20 for you to explore.
All of our New World Wine Awards winners are available now and ready for you to share and enjoy. Shop here, or you can find them at your local New World.
Happy to step up to $25 a bottle? Take a look at our pick of all the best New Zealand wines of 2024. Or, use our wine finder tool to search for a wine that takes your fancy.
Whatever the occasion, these award winning red wines are ready for you to share and enjoy.
Related article:
Best New Zealand red winesBest New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs
Top white wines of 2024
5 of the best Pinot Noirs of 2024