Queenstown & Central Otago Wineries
The towering mountains, beautiful lakes, tawny hills and tussock-clad plains of this historic goldmining region mean that the local vineyards enjoy some of the most breathtaking locations in the world, making it a real treat for gourmet travellers to explore.
Affectionately known as ‘Central’, Central Otago is New Zealand’s highest wine region and one of the world's premium cool climate wine areas. The region bears many weather similarities to other cool-climate wine regions such as Burgundy, Alsace and the Mosel. Cold winters and a short, dry, hot growing season provide ideal conditions for pinot noir, pinot gris, gewurztraminer, chardonnay and riesling varieties. Wine lovers will especially enjoy the award-winning pinot noir, which has become the region’s trademark wine.
There are four key wine areas in Central Otago – the high profile Queenstown/Gibbston Valley area, the Cromwell/Bannockburn area, Wanaka and Alexandra/Clyde. Vineyards range from those offering winery tours and restaurants, such as the award-winning Gibbston Valley Wines - the region's first commercial wine producer - to smaller single terroir vineyards such as Coal Pit Winery - one of the few ‘single’ vineyards in Gibbston where the grapes are grown, picked and crafted on site to express the character of the unique Central Otago terroir.
You'll find plenty of options for a wine trail as well. Local operators offer tailor-made tours and tastings of the region’s delicious drops. Apellation Central Wine Tours specialise in small groups, and you'll learn about the region's early pioneering history as well as enjoying great local wines and a gourmet platter lunch. Queenstown Wine Trail also take a personalised approach to tours, offering you a chance to meet members of each vineyard team for an up close and personal perspective of their wines.
If you are visiting the region in March, be sure to earmark the Gibbston Harvest Festival, which celebrates the Gibbston grape harvest with fine wines and gourmet dishes from the local restaurants. Visit over Easter, and you can sample the best of Alexandra’s wineries at the annual Clyde Wine and Food Festival, with restaurant and food outlets, markets stalls and live bands.