Central Otago

Wines from Central Otago

Central Otago sits at the very bottom of the South Island. It is New Zealand's most southerly wine region. Originally sought after for its gold, Central Otago has once again found a treasure - wine. The most southerly wine region in the world produces Pinot Noir that is much loved far beyond New Zealand.

Recent rapid expansion means grapes now dominate cherries and apricot orchards. The extreme climate has rewarded careful site selection with wines of great intensity and finesse, and there is increasing focus on subregional expression.

Shop our carefully selected wines from this region here.





Loop Road Pinot Noir 2022

Loop Road Pinot Noir 2022

22,99 € - 24,99 €*

33,32 € pro Liter

Loop Road Pinot Noir 2022

Loop Road Pinot Noir 2022

22,99 € - 24,99 €*

33,32 € pro Liter

The finest grapes are hand-selected from the Loop Rd Bendigo pioneer vineyard and crafted into an engaging expression of our unique Central Otago region.


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Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Riesling 2021

Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Riesling 2021

29,99 € - 32,99 €*

43,99 € pro Liter

Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Riesling 2021

Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Riesling 2021

29,99 € - 32,99 €*

43,99 € pro Liter

A must for Riesling lovers. From Rippon's mature vines, whose root hairs have invaded the schist rock below. A wine with mineral intensity and richness. Only 557 cases produced.


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Quartz Reef Methode Traditionnelle Brut

Quartz Reef Methode Traditionnelle Brut

31,99 € - 34,99 €*

46,65 € pro Liter

Quartz Reef Methode Traditionnelle Brut

Quartz Reef Methode Traditionnelle Brut

31,99 € - 34,99 €*

46,65 € pro Liter

A benchmark for Kiwi sparklers that combines a stylish robustness with exquisite flavours. Balanced, fragrant and delicious, a terrific start to the evening.


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Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2019

Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2019

57,99 € - 59,99 €*

79,99 € pro Liter

Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2019

Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2019

57,99 € - 59,99 €*

79,99 € pro Liter

A New Zealand benchmark from Lake Wanaka in Central Otago. The farm voice of a distinct parcel of land: Rippon. The north-facing escarpment forms the meeting point of terminal moraines and coarse gravels, all based in schist, on which some of the region's earliest vines were planted.


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Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2020

Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2020

59,99 € - 62,99 €*

83,99 € pro Liter

Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2020

Rippon "Rippon" Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2020

59,99 € - 62,99 €*

83,99 € pro Liter

A New Zealand benchmark from Lake Wanaka in Central Otago. The farm voice of a distinct parcel of land: Rippon. The north-facing escarpment forms the meeting point of terminal moraines and coarse gravels, all based in schist, on which some of the region's earliest vines were planted.


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About the wine region Central Otago

A spectacular landscape and sophisticated tourist culture also home to some of the world’s best Pinot Noir, not to mention impressive, vivid white wines.

Central Otago subregions

  • Gibbston: Situated east of Queenstown along the spectacular Kawarau Gorge, Gibbston is the highest sub-region, its cooler climate and north-facing hillside vines ripen later than neighbouring sub-regions, giving lighter though still intense wines.
  • Bannockburn: On the south bank of the Kawarau River, at the southern terminus of the Cromwell Valley, the vineyards occupy one of the warmest, driest sites in the region. Harvest can be up to a month ahead of other sub-regions, and the wines produced are highly distinctive and complex.
  • Cromwell, Lowburn and Pisa: This area is located on the western side of Lake Dunstan stretching north for some 25km from the township of Cromwell. The majority of plantings are situated on the lower terraces and valley floor running parallel to the snow-capped Pisa mountain range producing seductive wines.
  • Bendigo: Northeast of Cromwell, Bendigo has vines planted on gentle north facing slopes. Wide-scale plantings on stony soils capture the extreme climates hot summer sun and cold clear nights. Wanaka A couple of mountain ranges and 80km north of Queenstown, beautiful Wanaka is cooler and slightly wetter than the rest of the region. The lake provides welcome reflected radiation and mitigates frost producing delicate and vivid wines.
  • Alexandra: The most southerly sub-region, the climate is dry and runs to extremes in both summer and winter. The marked daily climatic variations right up to harvest give vividly varietal, aromatic, finely structured wines.

Winegrowing in Central Otago

Pinot Noir is by fair the most popular grape of Central Otago.

  • Pinot Noir (1555ha)
  • Pinot Gris (174ha)
  • Chardonnay (68ha)
  • Riesling (64ha)
  • Sauvignon Blanc (39ha)

Wine region Central Otago

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