Heralded as "The Great White Hope", plantings of Pinot Gris have leapt from a mere 19 hectares in 1994 to 381, and more are in the pipeline. The bulk of the Pinot Gris plantings are in Marlborough and Central Otago with pockets in Canterbury, Martinborough, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.

A distinctive looking variety, the Pinot Gris grape skins can vary from blue-black to grey to pink. The surge of interest by winemakers can be attributed to the variety's ability to produce quality wines that display spicy flavours, good mouth weight and have the ability to cellar well.