Central Otago for meals and wine travellers: Pinot noir and past

In case you are visiting New Zealand’s South Island from abroad, it’s comprehensible so that you can have visions of lakes and mountains, hopes of recognizing whales, dolphins and kea, and also you’ll probably know many Marlborough sauvignon blanc manufacturers. Central Otago is the bit that usually surprises individuals, a lot so it’s typically missed totally or simply seen as a route between Queenstown and Dunedin. However this inland ‘paradise’ – because it’s referred to by many who dwell there – is greater than price stopping for. The landscapes really feel virtually cinematic:

Sure, Central Otago makes world-class pinot noir. However it is usually a area the place you may spend a morning tasting traditional-method glowing, drink a blanc de noirs at lunch, end with a taut riesling, then choose up cherries or apricots from a roadside stall, relying on season, whereas taking in – or stopping for a lot of picture opps – to absorb the cinematic panorama. Schist rocks craggs dotting hillsides, extensive basins, massive skies, and rows of vines that look improbably exact towards a largely uncooked and rugged backdrop.

It is a information to Central Otago for travellers who discover pleasure within the produce of a spot past ticking off identified model names and established tourism hotspots.

The inland local weather distinction that shapes the whole lot

Central Otago sits behind the Southern Alps, of their rain shadow, and it’s extensively recognised as New Zealand’s southernmost wine area (typically described because the world’s most southerly industrial wine area). The local weather runs extra “continental-like” than many guests anticipate, with heat days, cool nights, and crisp seasonal extremes.

That day by day temperature swing is without doubt one of the causes Central Otago wines can really feel each ripe and exact on the identical time. It additionally impacts the way you journey right here: even in summer time, evenings cool rapidly as soon as the solar drops behind the ranges. Pack a layer you may truly put on to dinner or put money into a New Zealand made merino wrap or poncho once you’re right here.

Central Otago’s wine spots

You don’t want to memorise a map, nevertheless it helps to know what sits the place so you may group visits sensibly and keep away from spending half your day within the automobile.

Gibbston: the gorge gateway full of cellar doorways

Gibbston is probably the most handy wine pocket from Queenstown, operating alongside the Kawarau Gorge. It is usually the sub-region that offers guests the quickest sense of “Oh, there’s so much happening right here”.

NZ Wine describes Gibbston as Central Otago’s highest sub-region, cooler than its neighbours and later ripening, which helps clarify why the wines can really feel particularly detailed and lifted.

If you wish to do Gibbston correctly, you may construct a day round names which are genuinely distinctive:

• Kinross is the perfect single cease in order for you vary because it represents 5 native labels together with its personal: Hawkshead, Excessive Backyard, Valli, Wild Irishman.
• Peregrine is a design pilgrimage as a lot as a wine go to. The vineyard constructing was designed to evoke a falcon’s wing in flight, and it is without doubt one of the most recognisable items of structure within the area. Its pinot noirs is very regarded too.
• The Church is strictly what it seems like: a historic Presbyterian church (inbuilt 1894) repurposed as a cellar door and eatery. They produce their very own Chardonnay and characterize different Gibbston producers too.
• Mt Rosa has a devoted cellar door in Gibbston with a fame for a pleasant welcome, fascinating tasting and beautiful setting. E book forward in excessive season.
• Chard Farm is one other established Gibbston cellar door and a simple match on a Queenstown-based loop. Bookings are required.
• Gibbston Valley stays a foundational title for guests, together with its well-known wine cave excursions, on-site eating places and cheese deli.
• Rockburn has lengthy been a part of the Gibbston line-up and has just lately shifted to a brand new cellar door set-up at its vineyard.

Bannockburn wineries

Bannockburn is without doubt one of the names guests bear in mind, partly due to the wines and partly as a result of the place itself feels distinct. It is usually a narrative of transformation. Thirty years in the past, Bannockburn was farmland and orchards. At present, it’s orchards and vineyards, the latter producing a number of the world’s most acclaimed pinot noir wines.

• Felton Highway – visits by prior appointment solely, member-only occasions hosted all year long, and a world following of wine followers that means you must not less than purchase a bottle with dinner whilst you’re right here
• Mt Problem – drawing wine followers for its vintages and foodies for its restaurant prowess, that is your really helpful lunch cease
• Te Kano – recognisable for its rusted metal, cantilever tasting room, cherished for the standard of its wines and its creations past the usual Central Otago grapes – their Cabernet Franc is our choose
• Desert Coronary heart Wines – maybe probably the most relaxed of the Felton Highway wineries, locals love the vibe as a lot because the wines

When you don’t wish to rush, or for those who simply have a day for wine tasting, Bannockburn offers fewer stops and time for lunch with a view.

Cromwell and Northburn wineries

If Cromwell is your anchor, you may cluster tastings effectively and weave within the meals aspect (orchards and seasonal fruit stalls) with out feeling like you might be “squeezing it in”.

If Cloudy Bay is without doubt one of the few New Zealand labels you already know, additionally they have a Central Otago cellar door at Northburn, close to Cromwell. Their Central Otago story is nicely documented in native listings, together with producing the primary classic of Te Wāhi Central Otago pinot noir in 2010, buying Northburn Winery in 2014, and opening the cellar door at Northburn in 2018.

• The Brae – has a cute hillside spot with small tasting room and a glowing wine worthy of celebrating
• Wooing Tree – adored domestically for its “Blondie” blanc de noir and with a brand new cellar door and kitchen as of 2025
• Quartz Reef – once you lead with fizz you make pals simply and this winery is the celebratory label gracing many occasions
• Cork & Cap – Cromwell’s very personal tasting room is the place you will get a straightforward overview of the city’s surrounding producers

Alexandra basin wineries

Alexandra sits additional south and infrequently seems like a step away from the usual vacationer loop. When you’ve got time, it’s the place you start to grasp how assorted “Central Otago” actually is.

• Ruru – completely positioned on the Otago Central Rail Path, cease in for a tasting or e-book forward so as to add on a platter of French and Dutch cheeses – all of it’s price making time for
• Decide Rock – tucked away and all of the cuter for it they’ve a tasty vary of vintages and a port that deserves your consideration too
• Thyme Hill – certainly one of three wineries on Letts Gully Highway, this one prefers you to e-book forward however is price a cease for his or her unique-to-the-basin merlot

Central Otago wines to drink aside from pinot noir

Pinot noir deserves its fame, however the pleasure of Central Otago is the supporting solid.

Pinot gris (the white you will note in all places)

Pinot gris has severe momentum right here. New Zealand Wine notes that greater than 174 hectares is dedicated to pinot gris in Central Otago and it’s considered the area’s second-most planted selection after pinot noir. Types vary from crisp and dry to softly off-dry, typically with pear and stone fruit notes.

Riesling and gewürztraminer (aromatics with confidence)

In case your solely reference level for riesling is nice, Central Otago can reset that assumption. Dry, structured examples are widespread, and gewürztraminer seems extra typically than guests anticipate, significantly for those who like wines with fragrance and spice.

Blanc de noirs

Blanc de noirs makes intuitive sense right here: pinot noir character, however in a lighter, chilled format. Wooing Tree’s Blondie is explicitly made as a blanc de noir from 100% pinot noir, with minimal pores and skin contact.

Glowing, from basic méthode to fashionable pét nat

Central Otago takes glowing severely. Quartz Reef positions itself as a serious producer of méthode traditionnelle glowing wines from Central Otago fruit. Ruru and Dunstan Highway produce equally en pointe examples too.

When you choose one thing looser and extra playful, pét nat can also be a part of the panorama. Mount Edward, for instance, sells a Central Otago pinot blanc pét nat as does Decide Rock.

“White pinot noir”

When you like uncommon tasting-room moments, search for “white pinot noir” bottlings. Gray Ridge, for example, makes a white pinot noir alongside conventional pinot noir.

Three tales that add depth to a Central Otago’s wine pedigree

As travellers, we love wine areas extra when there’s a narrative past “good glass, good view”, and Central Otago has loads of tales to inform.

Two Paddocks: Hollywood headlines meet award successful wines

This Alexandra Basin vineyard gained’t seem on any tasting tour, however its wines graces virtually each native menu and its fame precedes it as a result of its proprietor, the actor Sam Neill, retains us all hooked through his social media channels.

Sure, it’s his. No, it’s not a public cellar door. Visits and occasions are for wine membership members solely, by appointment. However do take pleasure in a bottle whilst you’re eating across the area.

Domaine Thomson: Otago heritage plus a real French thread

Domaine Thomson is without doubt one of the area’s most satisfying stops for travellers who additionally love French wine. The vineyard explicitly frames itself as “one imaginative and prescient, two hemispheres”, producing wine in Central Otago and in Burgundy (together with Crémant de Bourgogne).

The heritage angle is equally sturdy. Their story connects to John Turnbull Thomson, a surveyor who explored and mapped Central Otago within the 1850s and named options together with Mount Aspiring and Lindis Move.

Cloudy Bay in Central Otago: the surprising acquainted

If somebody in your group solely is aware of Cloudy Bay for sauvignon blanc, a go to to its Central Otago cellar door is a good way to indicate how a lot the identical producer can change when the panorama modifications.

Day-tripping vs staying: how lengthy does Central Otago really want?

A day journey can work fantastically for those who preserve it tight: choose one cluster (Gibbston, or Cromwell and Bannockburn), decide to a protracted lunch, and depart area for one non-wine second, like an orchard cease in summer time.

When you can provide Central Otago 4 nights, the area modifications from “a tasting itinerary” into a spot you truly soak up. 4 nights allows you to discover two or three sub-regions with out stacking lengthy drives back-to-back, observe seasonal produce correctly, and nonetheless have time for the slower pleasures.

For lengthy haul travellers, a extra significant journey plan could be:

• 4 nights Central Otago (meals and wine depth, a number of sub-regions, orchard tradition)
• 4 nights Wānaka (lakes, nationwide park day walks, true downtime)
• 4 nights Queenstown (eating places, Arrowtown, galleries, straightforward departure logistics)

What time have you ever bought to spend in Central Otago?

Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies

Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies is CMO of Launch NZ. Launch NZ represents a portfolio of luxurious vacation lodging in Wānaka and Queenstown – their ardour being to attach company to the whole lot that makes this a part of the world so particular. If you need to be a visitor blogger on A Luxurious Journey Weblog in an effort to increase your profile, please contact us.