WINE SUB REGIONS

Central Otago is really a series of sub regions: each a pocket of possibility in a rugged mountain landscape. Many are quite different and the wines they produce already have distinctive characteristics, though individuals may differ in their definitions!

Wanaka

The smallest and most northerly of our sub regions. Wanaka is cooler than some, but often has a good frost record because of the influence of the stunning lake.

Lowburn/Pisa

This area stretches from the township of Lowburn up the Greater Cromwell valley for some 25 kilometres. It has the largest areas of potential grape land, but very few northerly slopes for such a large area. As it is one of the warmer regions, Pinot Noir seems to ripen here without the need of slopes.

Bendigo

Bendigo is possibly the warmest sub region, though only recently planted. Bendigo consists of a North facing ridge at the junction of the Cromwell and Lindis valleys, with more gentle Northerly slopes below it. Many wineries based elsewhere in Central Otago are growing fruit here.

Alexandra

The most southerly sub region, Alexandra would be in the middle of the heat range of Central Otago microclimates. Spreading from gentle hills to wild rocky escarpments, it is probably the most varied as well. This was one of the earlier sub regions to be explored and planted.

Gibbston

The first location to be planted in Pinot Noir, Gibbston is a north facing valley slope of The Kawarau Gorge, as it falls from Queenstown to Cromwell. The coolest of the sub regions, and visually very dramatic, it produces a distinctive intensity from the later harvest grapes produced here.

Bannockburn

Currently the most intensively planted of the microclimates, Bannockburn is a North facing crescent bordering the Kawarau River as it flows across the base of the Cromwell valley to its meeting with the Clutha River. A warm site, which like Alexandra has a long fruit growing tradition. Famous for its gold mining.