Central Otago Wine Map Central Otago, New Zealand: Wine Map - A Guide To Wineries & Vineyards • www.cowa.org.nz Central Otago Wine Map A Guide To Wineries & Vineyards Central Otago is the most southerly grape-growing region in the world. Located at 45º south, it shares unique geographical and climactic conditions with some of the world’s most prestigious wine-producing regions. Burgundy and the northern Rhone in France, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley in the USA, are all at latitudes between 45º and 47º north. Although small in size, Central Otago is a rapidly developing wine region with a well-established international reputation for Pinot Noir. The variety accounts for more than 85% of vineyard plantings, with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling making up the majority of the rest. Production of sparkling wine, made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, has also been well-received internationally. History The first wine-making grapes were planted in Central Otago in 1864, by Frenchman John Desire Feraud. Coming from a wine- making family, he made his fortune in the Dunstan gold rush of 1862 and quickly recognised the region’s outstanding potential for grape-growing. Feraud’s stone-built winery – Monte Christo in Clyde – still survives today and his wines, sold in blue bottles that can be seen at Clyde Museum, won prizes in Sydney and Melbourne competitions. The first modern commercial wines of the region were produced in 1987, made with experimental grape plantings from around Queenstown, Wanaka and Alexandra. The Sub Regions Central Otago is comprised of four distinct sub-regions, separated by mountains and deep gorges. The Cromwell Basin accounts for 70% of the region’s vineyards and includes Bannockburn in the south, Lowburn, Pisa and Bendigo to the north. A further 20% of plantings are found around Gibbston, where most vines occupy north-facing slopes and terraces above the dramatic Kawarau Gorge. In the south-west of the region are Clyde and Alexandra (7%), while the remainder (3%) are located around Wanaka, where vineyards run down to the lakeshore against a backdrop of snow- clad mountains and glaciers. The Soils Central Otago’s vineyards benefit from a wide variety of soils, ranging from fine sand and heavy silt loam to rocky schist. Each of these soil types has a pronounced influence on the growth of the vine and flavours of the grapes and resulting wine. In most areas, the soil is derived from loess – formed over successive ice ages as glaciers ground rocks to a fine flour – or alluvial deposits, often with underlying gravel allowing free drainage. To the west, some of the soils are developed on glacial outwash or moraine. There are even small pockets of soil formed by the hydraulic sluicing carried out by gold miners in the 19th century. Climate Central Otago is the only area in New Zealand with a semi- continental climate - nowhere else in the country experiences greater daily and seasonal extremes of temperature. Summers are hot and dry, with autumns cool, generally dry and with cold nights. Relatively low rainfall and humidity means a low incidence of disease and rot, greatly reducing the need for spraying. The large diurnal temperature variation (the difference between daytime and night-time temperatures) during ripening contributes to flavour intensity, gives depth of colour and stability to the wines. Heavy frosts are common throughout the winter, and can also occur during spring and autumn. As a result, most vineyards are on warmer, north-facing slopes. Frost protection measures such as wind machines, water sprinklers and helicopters are also used. Visitors to the region in April and May will witness harvest time, when vineyards and wineries are busy picking, sorting and crushing the fruit for the new vintage. 45º South Alexandra i-SITE 21 Centennial Ave, PO Box 56 Alexandra Tel +64 3 448 9515 Fax +64 3 448 9511 Email [email protected] www.centralotagonz.com Cromwell i-SITE 47 The Mall, PO Box 2 Cromwell Tel +64 3 445 0212 Fax +64 3 445 1319 Email [email protected] www.centralotagonz.com Information Queenstown i-SITE Clocktower Building, Corner Camp & Shotover Streets Queenstown Tel +64 3 4424100 Freephone 0800 668 888 Fax +64 3 4428907 Email [email protected] www.queenstowninformation.co.nz Wanaka i-SITE 100 Ardmore Street, PO Box 147 Lake Front Wanaka Tel +64 3 443 1233 Fax +64 3 443 1290 Email [email protected] www.lakewanaka.co.nz Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration A not to be missed date on the international Pinot Noir Calendar. The programme includes commentary from international speakers, seminars, tastings and fine cuisine. Held for two days, usually on the last weekend of January. For more information please visit the official Pinot Celebration website at www.pinotcelebration.co.nz Vino And Victuals Wine And Food Festival An enjoyable end to a summer’s afternoon, sampling great wines from the Cromwell Basin, nibbling on tasty food and listening to great music in one of ‘godzone’s’ fantastic places! Held at the Old Cromwell Historic Precinct, at the beginning of January. Gibbston Harvest Festival The Harvest Festival is held on the third Saturday of March each year. This is a great family event celebrating Gibbston vineyards and wineries as well as food from local restaurants. For the location of the festival and further information, please refer to the Gibbston Harvest Festival website www.gibbstonharvestfestival.co.nz Clyde Wine And Food Harvest Festival Easter Sunday Enjoy Central Otago’s stunning autumn colours, wines from more than 20 local wineries, food, music, market and food produce stalls in Clyde’s historic precinct at this annual celebration. From 11am to 5pm, entry $5 or $10 with a festival glass. Central Otago Winegrowers Association P.O. Box 271 Cromwell 9342, Central Otago, New Zealand Telephone +64 3 445 4499 • Email [email protected] www.cowa.org.nz Seasons’ Activities Spring Summer Autumn Winter Bud burst/frost fighting Vine tending Harvest and ferment Pruning