A selection of our favourite Central Otago vineyards and wines.
AKARUA
Akarua Winery has rapidly developed a world-wide reputation for producing quality wines. It was established in 1996 by long-time Otago icon Sir Clifford Skeggs and first vintage happened three years later. The region is mountainous, rising to over 2,000 metres and the vines are planted amidst spectacular alpine scenery. Akarua Pinot Noir, noted for its density and flavour concentration, has taken many awards including Wine of the Show at the 2003 Air New Zealand Awards.
www.akarua.com
AURUM WINES
Aurum Wines was established by Joan and Tony Lawrence in 2002 to produce premium Central Otago wines. Premium Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling are grown on Aurum’s two vineyards. The 45th Parallel Vineyard, situated on fluvial glacial terraces below the Pisa Range at Lowburn, was planted in 1997 and 1998. Te Wairere Vineyard 2km from Cromwell was planted in 2001. All Aurum wines are now made from Estate-grown grapes in their Aurum winery. The winery and tasting facility are located on the main road to Wanaka and the West Coast, State Highway 6, 2km from Cromwell township.
www.aurumwines.co.nz
BANNOCK BRAE ESTATE
Bannock Brae Estate is a small “Mum and Dad” business dedicated to producing the finest Pinot noir wine possible from the terroir of Central Otago. Catherine Brown is the better looking half of the partnership, while Crawford Brown brings a lifetime of experience in beverages to the business. In his previous life, he was Master Brewer (NZ) for Lion Nathan, and prior to that, Speight’s Brewery manager for a number of years.
97% of the vineyard is planted in Pinot noir vines, while the other 3% is Riesling. A philosophy of putting quality first has produced gold medal winning wines. Bannock Brae Estate operates a Cellar Door for tastings and sales at Catherine and Crawford’s home on the vineyard in Cairnmuir Road, Bannockburn.
www.bannockbrae.co.nz
CHARD FARM
Chard Farm was established in 1987 by Motueka brothers Rob & Greg Hay who selected the Chard Farm site after careful evaluation of the peculiarities of grape growing in Central Otago. Rob studied winemaking in Germany for three years before returning to New Zealand in 1985 to search for the "terroir" that best emulated the cool continental climate and soils of some of the greatest wine producing areas of the world. The long term goal being to craft the finest classic cool climate varietal wines of Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Chard Farm is on the outskirts of Queenstown. The entrance is 100m past the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Bridge with the Winery at the end of a long spectacular driveway
www.chardfarm.co.nz
MAUDE
Since leaving their last roles as winemakers/general managers at the prestigious Tower Estate and Tempus Two wineries in the Hunter Valley, winemakers Sarah-Kate (SK) and Dan Dineen have quietly built a winery, a new home, developed the Maude wine label and started a family amidst the stunning back drop of Lake Wanaka in Central Otago. It is no surprise to wine industry insiders that their wine, Maude, has become an instant success. Hence 'Maude' was created to showcase the very best of New Zealand's wine growing regions and currently consists of a Central Otago Pinot Noir and naturally, a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and a Pinot Gris.
www.maudewines.com
MT DIFFICULTY
With founding vineyards established in 1992, Mt Difficulty owns some of the oldest vineyards and is one of the most respected wineries in the Central Otago region of New Zealand's rugged South Island. Situated in Bannockburn, a unique and rare area of extremes, Mt Difficulty has harnessed the once brutal terrain to produce premium wines at the forefront of Central Otago's wine production. Mt Difficulty’s cellar door and café opened in February 2003, and the facility has gained a reputation for the majestic views and stylish yet uncomplicated cuisine.
http://www.mtdifficulty.co.nz
OLSSENS
Olssens is nestled amongst the dry thyme covered hills of Bannockburn and produces 12 different wines, many of which are sold exclusively to cellar door and mail order customers. In addition to the 10 hectares of vines, thousands of trees, shrubs and bulbs have been planted around sweeping glades of grass and ponds where visitors are welcome to spread a rug, picnic, and enjoy the tranquillity. Olssens are focussed on producing premium quality boutique wines including the Annieburn Riesling which recently won Champion Sustainable Wine at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
http://www.olssens.co.nz
QUARTZ REEF
Named after New Zealand’s largest quartz deposit that lies beneath the wineries principal vineyards at Bendigo Station, Quartz Reef has become the vessel for what winemaker Rudi Bauer calls - his search to make wines that exhibit “a symphony of flavours” and “capture attention and entertain so that you forget everything else”.
Quartz Reef Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris & Methode Traditionnelle sparkling wine are the very essence of Central Otago with Rudi Bauer’s Austrian heritage exploring the many dimensions of these varieties.
www.quartzreef.co.nz
ROCKBURN
Rockburn takes its name from the rugged, rock-strewn, burn-scarred landscape of Central Otago. Rockburn vineyards produce not only Pinot Noir of stunning quality (gold medals at New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show, Bragato Awards, Air New Zealand, and Winestate Wine of the Year) , but also medal winning Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Their new winery and tasting room is at the corner of Gair Ave & McNulty Rd in Cromwell. Rockburn video and tour through their vineyard and winery with winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis here.
www.rockburn.co.nz
WAITIRI CREEK
Waitiri Creek Wines was established in 1993 by Alistair Ward, Paula Ramage and the Ward family. The Shanagolden Block in Gibbston was planted with Chardonnay in 1994 and in 1996, the Old Matagouri Block, 1.5km west of the original vines, was planted with Pinot Noir and a small parcel of Gewürztraminer. In April 2000, the former Wangaloa Presbyterian church was moved in one piece(!) to the Shanagolden Block, renovations commenced and this unique cellar door opened for tastings. A favourite lunch destination, the beauty of the site, matched with great food and wine are a winning combination, especially to the many overseas visitors Waitiri Creek entertain.
www.waitiricreek.co.nz
WOOING TREE
Wooing Tree is a family owned single vineyard site, situated in the heart of Central Otago next to the town of Cromwell and opposite the "Big Fruit Sculpture". The location gives a perfect mix of various sub-regional climates and optimum heat degree-days. Specialising in Pinot Noir their aim is to produce rich and intense fruit flavours from low yielding vines. Shoot and bunch thinning, pruning and harvest are all carried out by hand to ensure premium quality fruit. Wooing Tree Vineyard is already one of the most visible vineyards in the regions and is fast becoming a popular place for marriage proposals and weddings.
www.wooingtree.co.nz
top
