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Central Otago

Central Otago is a wine region in New Zealand, at about 47 degrees south, with vineyard valleys bounded by the Southern Alps. Pinot Noir is the leading grape. Wines from warmer areas often have plum and cherry flavours; cooler Gibbston and Wānaka tend towards red cherry, fresh herbs and spice.

Place
Central Otago, New Zealand
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Central Otago
Producer profiles
7
Atlas locationCentral Otago · New Zealand44.95° S · 169.24° EOpen in Atlas

Central Otago has six principal subregions: Wānaka, Gibbston, Bannockburn, Alexandra, Bendigo and Cromwell/Lowburn/Pisa. They sit close together but differ in landscape and character. Winegrowing dates to 1864, when the first vines were planted near Clyde. Gibbston's first commercial bottlings appeared in 1987. Pinot Noir is Central Otago's main grape, often showing berry fruit, earthiness and marked acidity. Warmer areas tend towards sweet plum and cherry, sometimes with a thyme-like note. Gibbston and Wānaka are cooler, with fresher wines that lean towards red cherry, fresh herb, spice and mineral character. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewürztraminer are also grown. The strongly continental climate brings hot summers, freezing winters, low rainfall and humidity, and plentiful sunshine.

1 named area

Inside the region

Explore the wine-growing areas of Central Otago.

  1. 01Central Otago7 producersNew Zealand's southernmost wine region is an inland, mountain-ringed home for Pinot Noir. Its six subregions differ sharply in altitude, warmth and harvest timing.

Producer profiles

Producer profiles

Every producer profiled in Central Otago so far.

  • DiceyBrothers James and Matt Dicey make Bannockburn Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Central Otago, continuing a family vineyard story their father Robin began when he arrived in the region in 1977.
  • Domaine RewaCentral Otago domaine making organic single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling under a Burgundy-inspired remit.
  • Felton RoadA Bannockburn estate in Central Otago, growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling in organic and biodynamic vineyards.
  • Mishas VineyardCentral Otago producer beside Lake Dunstan, with hand harvested Pinot Noir and aromatic white wines.
  • Prophet's RockA Bendigo, Central Otago winery with estate-grown Pinot Noir and single-block Cuvée Aux Antipodes Chardonnay.
Browse 2 more
  • Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate PartnershipA Bendigo, Central Otago estate making traditional-method sparkling wine, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir from a north-facing vineyard above a large quartz deposit.
  • Rippon Vineyard & WineryLake Wānaka Pinot Noir from a four-generation family farm, shaped through organic and biodynamic vineyard work.
Sources for this guide1 source

Sources for this guide are listed below. Featured producers are a selection, not a ranking.

  • World of Wine Atlas and learning records

Where to go next

mapSee Central Otago in the AtlasSee Central Otago and its wine-growing areas on the map.placeContinue to Central OtagoCentral Otago is one of Central Otago's wine-growing areas.learningUnderstand Pinot NoirRead the Pinot Noir guide.