Wine

Although the area is small by international standards, Central Otago is fast gaining an international reputation for its Pinot Noir. The region can be divided into 4 sub-regions - the Cromwell Basin, Clyde and Alexandra, the Gibbston Valley and the Lakes. The Cromwell Basin accounts for 70% of the plantings in the region. The vineyards in the Bannockburn area of the basin grow amongst spectacular craggy sluiced hillsides that were once worked by the gold miners just above the fast flowing Kawarau River. The vineyards in the south west region at Clyde and Alexandra account for 10% of the plantings in the region and grow amongst the rocks and rugged schist tors overlooking the Clutha River. Apart from the region’s preferred Pinot Noir, the white aromatic wines like Pinot Gris and Reisling are also starting to make a name for themselves.

The vineyards in the Cromwell Basin and at Clyde and Alexandra are closest to Naseby and can be easily visited on your travels through Central Otago. You may recognise some of the wineries from these 2 areas.

Cromwell Basin: Felton Rd, Mt Difficulty, Akarua, Bald Hills, Carrick, Olssens, Wooing Tree, Mt Michael, Kawarau, Aurum, Rockburn, Desert Heart, Quartz Reef.
Clyde and Alexandra: Three Miners, Dry Gully, Two Paddocks, Black Ridge, Springvale Estate, Judge Rock, William Hill.

We have discovered many lesser known vineyards in these regions too, all producing very good wine. When you visit us at The Old Doctor’s Residence, we would like you to try some of this special Central Otago wine when we have pre-dinner drinks together. We have selected 4 wineries from both of the sub-regions mentioned above and it's fun comparing the distinctive bouquet and taste variations of the wines.

All the names of the wineries listed above have websites so check out visiting times and the availability of their wines before you visit Central Otago. You can visit most of them independently or relax and be driven around the region by one of several companies that organise wine tours. Again, we are happy to book places on a recommended tour for you, but don’t delay this decision because these tours are becoming increasingly popular and are quickly booked out.

For more information contact;

Central Otago Winegrowers Association
Email      info@cowa.org.nz
Website www.cowa.org.nz

Felton Road
Email      wines@FeltonRoad.com
Website www.FeltonRoad.com

Mt DifficultyWines
Email      info@mtdifficulty.co.nz
Website www.mtdifficulty.co.nz

Akarua
Email      info@akarua.com
Website www.akarua.com

Bald Hills
Email      info@baldhills.co.nz
Website www.baldhills.co.nz

Two Paddocks
Email      info@twopaddocks.com
Website www.twopaddocks.com

Three Miners
Email      grapevine@threeminers.co.nz
Website www.threeminers.co.nz

Black Ridge Vineyard
Email      blackridge@clear.net.nz
Website www.blackridge.co.nz

Dry Gully
Email      southernwines@xtra.co.nz