2024 edition
A Guide to Central Otago Wineries and Vineyards
Although small, Central Otago is a rapidly developing wine growing region, with over 178 vineyards, and an international reputation for Pinot Noir. In 2007 Pinot Noir comprised approximately 85% of the total vineyard plantings, with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling accounting for about 8% each. Other minor varieties to perform well on suitable sites are Sauvignon Blanc and Gew¨¹rztraminer. Production of sparkling wine, traditionally made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, has been small but the high quality achieved has seen the wines well received.
¡°This is God¡¯s Country when it comes to Pinot Noir¡± (James Halliday in Panorama 2000)
Location
At 45¡ã south this is the world¡¯s southernmost winemaking region. The region is mountainous, rising to over 2000m with the vines planted amongst spectacular alpine scenery. The vineyards are also the highest in the country, located between 200 and 450 metres above sea level.
History
Central Otago has a rich historical heritage. John Desire Feraud was attracted to the area during the Dunstan goldrush of 1862. Feraud came from a French winemaking family and quickly recognised the potential for grape growing, planting the first wine grapes in Central Otago in 1864. Over the next 20 years he made a variety of wines, some winning prizes in Sydney wine competitions. His stone built winery ¡°Monte Christo¡± survives today and two of Feraud¡¯s transluscent deep-blue bottles may be seen in the Clyde Museum. Following his departure from the region, commercial winemaking ceased and was not revived until the early 1980¡¯s with experimental grape plantings around Queenstown, Wanaka and Alexandra. The first modern commercial wines were produced in 1987. The annual Feraud Dinner, hosted by the Central Otago wine industry, celebrates his pioneering vision and enterprise.
The Sub Regions
Central Otago is comprised of four distinctive sub-regions separated by mountains and deep gorges. The Cromwell basin accounts for 70% of the regions'' vineyards and includes Bannockburn in the south, Lowburn, Wanaka Road and Bendigo to the north. A further 20% of plantings are found around Gibbston where most vines occupy steep north-facing fans and terraces above the dramatic Kawarau Gorge. In the southwest of the region are Clyde and Alexandra (7%), with vines nestled among rugged schist tors in a dry intermontane basin. Michael Kors Bags. The remainder of the vines (3%) are located around Wanaka where vineyards run down to the shore of the lake against a backdrop of snow-clad mountains and glaciers.
The Soils
Central Otago¡¯s vineyards are located on a variety of soils ranging from windblown sands to heavy silt looms and weathered schist. Most of the soils are derived from loess or alluvial deposits, often with underlying gravels allowing free drainage. To the west some of the soils are developed on glacial outwash or moraine and there are even small pockets of man-made soils resulting from hydraulic sluicing during the gold mining days of 140 years ago. Each of these soil types has a distinct influence on the growth and flavours in the grapes.
Climate
Central Otago is the only area in New Zealand with a semi-continental climate resulting in greater daily and seasonal extremes of temperature than found elsewhere in the country. Summers are hot and dry, with autumns cool and generally dry with cold nights. Rain falls evenly throughout the year and averages from 325-700mm per annum, generally increasing to the west. The relatively low rainfall results in a low incidence of botrytis and other fungal disease reducing the need for spraying. The large diurnal temperature variation ¨C the difference between daytime and night-time temperatures ¨C contributes to flavour intensity, gives depth of colour and stability to the wines.
Heavy frosts are common throughout the winter and frost can occur at any time between March and November. Vines are susceptible to frost in the growing season and as a result most vineyards are on warm north-facing slopes which promote cold-air drainage. On flatter sites wind machines, water sprinklers and misting systems or other frost protection measures are adopted.
Labels
OTHER CENTRAL OTAGO LABELS
These wines can be found in a number of local wine shops in the area or from the indicated Cellar Door outlets (shown in italics).
| Address: | 100 Ardmore Street, P O Box 147, |
| Lake Front, Wanaka | |
| Phone: | +64 3 443 1233 |
| Fax: | +64 3 443 1290 |
| Email: | info@lakewanaka.co.nz |
| Website: | www.lakewanaka.co.nz |
| Address: | cnr Camp & Shotover Streets, P O Box 253, |
| Queenstown. | |
| Freephone: | 0800 668 888 |
| Phone: | +64 3 442 4100 |
| Email: | info@queenstownisite.co.nz |
| Website: | www.queenstownisite.co.nz |
| Address: | 47 The Mall, P O Box 2, |
| Cromwell | |
| Phone: | +64 3 445 0212 |
| Fax: | +64 3 445 1319 |
| Email: | cromwellvin@xtra.co.nz |
| Website: | www.cromwell.org.nz |
| Address: | 22 Centennial Ave, P O Box 56, |
| Alexandra | |
| Phone: | +64 3 448 9515 |
| Fax: | +64 3 448 2061 |
| Email: | info@alexandra.co.nz |
| Website: | www.tco.org.nz |
| 1. | Appellation Central Wine Tours |
| Appellation Central offers small group, wine tours departing Queenstown and visiting some of Central Otago''s premium vineyards. The tours are well paced with time to savour the unique surrounds of Central, its history, the people and its fine cuisine. |
| Phone: | +64 3 442 0246 | |
| Fax: | +64 3 442 0143 | |
| Email: | info@appellationcentral.co.nz | |
| Website: | www.appellationcentral.co.nz |
| 2. | Queenstown Wine Trail |
| Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of our local wineries & taste distinctive wines. Departs 12.30pm daily |
| Phone: | +64 3 442 3799 | |
| Email: | qwinetrail@xtra.co.nz | |
| Website: | www.queenstownwinetrail.co.nz |
|
TARRAS / WANAKA REGIONS |
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|---|---|---|
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Lindis River Wines 6 Thomson Gorge Road Ardgour Valley, Tarras By appointment only Tel: (03) 445 2020 Fax: (03) 445 2021 E-Mail: info@lindisriver.co.nz Website: www.lindisriver.co.nz |
Maude Wines 9 Connell Terrace, Wanaka Tastings by appointment only Tel: (03) 443 2959 E-Mail: info@maudewines.com Website: www.maudewines.com |
Rippon Vineyard & Winery RN 246 Mt Aspiring Road, Lake Wanaka Tastings: Dec ¨C April 11am to 5pm daily, July ¨C Nov 1:30pm to 4:30pm daily, closed May/June. Picnic area. Tel: (03) 443 8084 Fax (03) 443 8034 E-Mail: info@rippon.co.nz Website: www.rippon.co.nz |
|
CROMWELL REGION |
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Misha’s Vineyard 180 State Highway 8B Tel: +64 (0) 21 500 904 E-Mail: info@mishasvineyard.com Website: www.mishasvineyard.com |
Pisa Range Estate Rapid 925, Pisa Flats, Cromwell/Wanaka Highway (SH6) Visitors welcome by appointment Tel/Fax: (03) 445 0412 Mobile: 0274 409 527 E-Mail: info@pisarangeestate.co.nz Website: www.pisarangeestate.co.nz |
Aurum Wines 140 State Highway 6, Cromwell Open for tastings 10am ¨C 5pm Summer daily: Winter Monday ¨C Friday Tel: (03) 445 3620 Fax: (03) 445 3640 E-Mail: sales@aurumwines.com Website: www.aurumwines.com |
|
Wooing Tree Opposite Big Fruit Sculpture Entrance via Shortcut Road, Cromwell Open daily 10am ¨C 5pm Winter hours may vary Tel: (03) 445 4142 E-Mail: contact@wooingtree.co.nz Website: www.wooingtree.co.nz |
Mount Michael Wines & Estates McNab Road, RD 2, Cromwell Open for tastings 11am ¨C 4pm Wed ¨C Sun Oct ¨C April Casual hours rest of year or by appointment Tel: (03) 445 1351 Fax: (03) 445 1391 E-Mail: info@mountmichael.co.nz Website: www.mountmichaelwines.com |
Central Otago Wine Company Ltd 102 Gair Avenue Off McNulty Road, Cromwell Summer Mon ¨C Fri 10am¨C5pm, Sat¨CSun 12pm-5pm Winter Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm. Hours may vary We make and sell a selection of Central Otago Wines. Tel: (03) 445 3100 Fax: (03) 445 3101 E-Mail: wine@cowine.co.nz |
|
Building 10, Hughes Crescent, Lake Dunstan Estate, McNulty Road, Cromwell Open Mon ¨C Friday 10am ¨C 3pm or by appointment Tel: (03) 445 3084 E-Mail: rudi@quartzreef.co.nz Website: www.quartzreef.co.nz |
Cnr Gair Avenue & McNulty Road, Cromwell Summer: 7Days (Sept - April)11am ¨C 4pm Winter: Monday to Friday (May - Aug) 11am ¨C 4pm All tastings are complimentary Tel / Fax: (03) 445 0555 E-Mail: winery@rockburn.co.nz Website: www.rockburn.co.nz |
Roaring Wine Tours Cromwell, Central Otago Full day wine tour |
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BANNOCKBURN REGION |
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Bald Hills 46 Cornish Point Road, via Cairnmuir Road, Bannockburn Open daily 11am ¨C 5pm Tel: (03) 445 3161 Fax: (03) 445 3160 E-Mail: info@baldhills.co.nz Website: www.baldhills.co.nz |
Cairnmuir Road, Bannockburn Restaurant & Tastings, Daily 11am ¨C 5pm Innovative Regional Cuisine Bookings recommended Tel: (03) 445 3480 Fax: (03) 445 3481 E-Mail: wines@carrick.co.nz Website: www.carrick.co.nz |
Bannock Brae Estate Cairnmuir Road, Bannockburn Open for tastings 11am ¨C 5pm daily or by appointment Tel: (03) 445 4426 or 027 221 0695 Fax: (03) 445 4428 E-Mail: bbe@ihug.co.nz Website: www.bannockbrae.co.nz |
|
Cairnmuir Road, Bannockburn, Cromwell Open daily for tastings 10am ¨C 5pm Mon ¨C Fri, 11am ¨C 4pm Sat ¨C Sun Winery tours by appointment Tel: (03) 445 0897 Fax: (03) 445 0898 E-Mail: info@akarua.com Website: www.akarua.com |
Felton Road, Bannockburn Cellar Door tastings 10:30am ¨C 4:30pm daily Restaurant 12 noon ¨C 3pm daily Tel: (03) 445 3445 Fax: (03) 445 3446 E-Mail: cellar.door@mtdifficulty.co.nz Website: www.mtdifficulty.co.nz |
Felton Road Felton Road, Bannockburn Open Monday ¨C Friday 2pm ¨C 5pm or by appointment. Please phone. Tel: (03) 445 0885 Fax: (03) 445 0881 E-Mail: wines@feltonroad.com Website. www.feltonroad.com |
|
306 Felton Road, Bannockburn Open daily for tastings ¨C Summer 10am ¨C 5pm Winter 11am ¨C 4pm, Monday ¨C Friday Light food available over summer. Tel: (03) 445 1716 Fax: (03) 445 0050 E-Mail: wine@olssens.co.nz Website: www.olssens.co.nz |
Desert Heart 320 Felton Road, Bannockburn Visitors welcome by appointment Self contained accommodation available Tel: (03) 445 3258 Fax: (03) 445 3259 E-Mail: wines@desertheart.co.nz Website: www.desertheart.co.nz |
Amisfield Winery & Bistro 10 Lake Hayes Road, RD 1, Queenstown Open for dining and wine tasting 10am ¨C 8pm, 7 days. Bistro closed Monday Tel: (03) 442 0556 Fax: (03) 442 0553 E-Mail: admin@amisfield.co.nz Website: www.amisfield.co.nz |
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QUEENSTOWN REGION |
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Church Lane, SH 6, Gibbston, Queenstown Open daily November ¨C April 10am ¨C 5pm Closed the month of May. Open 10am ¨C 4pm June ¨C October. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday during winter. Lunch 11am ¨C 3pm Tel: (03) 441 3315 Fax: (03) 441 3316 E-Mail: info@waitiricreek.co.nz Website: www.waitiricreek.co.nz |
Coalpit Road, Gibbston, Queenstown Tastings by appointment only Tel: (03) 442 6113 Fax: (03) 442 9119 E-Mail: wines@mountedward.co.nz Website: www.mountedward.co.nz |
Wentworth Estate Kawarau Gorge Road State Highway 6, Gibbston, Queenstown Open daily for tastings 10am - 5pm Tel: (03) 442 4000 Fax: (03) 442 4038 E-Mail: info@peregrinewines.co.nz Website: www.peregrinewines.co.nz |
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State Highway 6, Gibbston, Queenstown Open daily Cellar Door, tastings and gift shop 10am - 5pm, Wine cave tours hourly, 10am - 4pm Winery Restaurant 12 noon - 3pm. Exciting seasonal menu featuring the very best local produce. Available for functions and weddings Tel: (03) 442 6910 E-Mail: info@gibbstonvalley.com Website: www.gibbstonvalley.com |
Chard Road, State Highway 6, Gibbston just after bungee bridge Open daily for tasting Monday ¨C Friday 10am ¨C 5pm Weekends 11am ¨C 5pm Buses and Tours by appointment only Tel: (03) 442 6110 Fax: (03) 441 8400 E-Mail: sales@chardfarm.co.nz Website: www.chardfarm.co.nz |
The Winehouse & Kitchen Home of Van Asch, Freefall and Rock Ferry wines. State Highway 6, 1693, Gibbston, Queenstown ''Through the Kawarau Bungy Centre Carpark'' Open daily for tasting, 10am ¨C 5pm. Farmhouse restaurant with hearty, wholesome food. Tel: (03) 442 7310 E-Mail: wine@winehouse.co.nz Website: www.winehouse.co.nz |
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ALEXANDRA REGION |
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Two Paddocks 315 Strode Road Earnscleugh, 1RD Alexandra By appointment Tel: 027 289 9220 Fax: (03) 449 2755 E-Mail: sales@twopaddocks.com Website: www.twopaddocks.com |
Three Miners 89 McPherson Road, RD1 Alexandra Tastings by appointment only Tel/Fax: (03) 449 2343 E-Mail: julie@threeminers.com Website: www.threeminers.com |
113 Earnscleugh Road, Alexandra Tastings by appointment only Tel/Fax: (03) 449 2030 Mobile: 021 326 939 E-Mail: southernwines@xtra.co.nz |
|
Judge Rock Vineyard 36 Hillview Road, Alexandra Tasting by appointment only Tel/Fax: (03) 448 5059 Mobile: 0274 279 108 E-Mail: wines@judgerock.co.nz Website: www.judgerock.co.nz |
Conroys Road, Alexandra Open for tastings 10am ¨C 5pm daily Tel: (03) 449 2059 Fax: (03) 449 2597 E-Mail: blackridge@clear.net.nz Website: www.blackridge.co.nz |
Dunstan Road, Alexandra Open for tastings 10am ¨C 4:30pm Oct ¨C April Tel: (03) 448 8436 Fax: (03) 448 8434 E-Mail: sales@williamhill.co.nz Website: www.williamhill.co.nz |
| 1 | Packspur Vineyard |
| Burn Cottage Road Lowburn, Cromwell |
| 1 | Springvale Estate |
| Dunstan Road Alexandra |
|
| springvale.estate@xtra.co.nz |
| 2 | Leaning Rock Vineyard |
| 188 Hillview Road Alexandra |
|
| www.leaningrock.co.nz dhanap@es.co.nz |
| 1 | Lake Hayes |
| 10 Lake Hayes Road Lake Hayes Central Otago |
|
| www.amisfield.co.nz |
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