Gewürztraminer (German: [ɡəˈvʏʁtstʁaˈmiːnɐ]) is an aromatic wine grape variety, used in white wines, and performs best in cooler climates. In English, it is sometimes referred to colloquially as Gewürz (/ɡəˈvʊərts, –ˈvɜːrts/; although this is never the case in German, because “Gewürz” means “herb” or “spice”), and in French it is written Gewurztraminer (without the umlaut). Gewürztraminer is a variety with a pink to red skin colour, which makes it a “white wine grape” as opposed to the blue to black-skinned varieties commonly referred to as “red wine grapes”. The variety has high natural sugar and the wines are white and usually off-dry, with a flamboyant bouquet of lychees.

Indeed, Gewürztraminer and lychees share the same aroma compounds. Dry Gewürztraminers may also have aromas of roses, passion fruit and floral notes. It is not uncommon to notice some spritz (fine bubbles on the inside of the glass).

Matawhero Wines is the first vineyard in New Zealand to plant Gewürztraminer, this is a clean fruit-driven style with richness and great aromatics.

These grapes were sourced from the Matawhero Vineyard in the Riverpoint appellation. The  clones planted are Entav 47 and the silt loams over clay soils provide ideal growing conditions for Gewürztraminer. Vertical shoot positioned vines were bunch thinned and leaf plucked to ensure an open canopy and a balanced crop load. This ensured full ripeness and intense flavours.