Central Otago: where to visit?
Central Otago wine is grown in distinct sub-regions, and all can easily be visited in a day's drive.
Gibbston
Starting at Queenstown, first stop is the Gibbston valley. Allan Brady pioneered production of Central Otago Pinot Noir at Gibbston winery, and he now produces fine wines at Mt Edward (visits by appointment).
Bannockburn
Felton Road, Bannockburn inlet and Cornish Point are homes to a series of well-established vineyards. Olssen's Garden Vineyard welcomes picnickers, while Mt Difficulty, Carrick and Akarua have fine restaurants.
A walk in the gold-fields reserve in Felton Rd gives magnificent views.
Alexandra and Earnscleugh
Black Ridge vineyard is nestled into the hills above Earnscleugh, and well worth visiting.
Bendigo
The road to Omarama and Mount Cook runs along the southern side of Lake Dunstan. The Bendigo loop road takes you past a series of vineyards on the steep sun-drenched slopes above Bendigo station (home of Shrek the merino sheep). There is a steep and winding access to the old mining township, with magnificent views.
Maori Point
Maori Point vineyard is halfway between Cromwell and Wanaka on the bank of the Clutha river at Tarras.
Maori Point road leaves the main highway just after the Lindis bridge, on the way to Wanaka. Maori Point vineyard is at the northern end, where the road rejoins the main state highway to Wanaka.
Tarras township
Historic Tarras at the foot of the Lindis Pass has an old-fashioned general store with organic and gourmet foods and local wines; Coffee shop; Merino wool store; Christina Perriam's fashion store; Shrek museum; and Mrs Robinson's shop for collectibles.
Wanaka
Turn right towards Albert Town and cross the Clutha river bridge to visit Mt Maude vineyard. Just past Wanaka, on the road to Glendhu bay, Rippon vineyard is world-renowned for its biodynamic viticulture and spectacular view of lake Wanaka.
Lowburn
The road from Wanaka back to Cromwell, on the northern side of lake Dunstan, is home to a series of vineyards extending from the lakeside up the lower slopes of the Pisa range. Wines from this region can be tasted at Aurum wines, just to the north of Cromwell, and Mt Michael vineyard, overlooking Cromwell.
Fishing
The Clutha river has large populations of both brown and rainbow trout. The fisher's path along the Maori Point Vineyard river bank gives good access for fly casting or fishing with a threadline. Fresh trout, lightly smoked over manuka embers and accompanied by Pinot Rosé or Pinot Gris is a great riverside picnic lunch.
John Harris and Marilyn Duxson, 413 Maori Point Road, Tarras. Ph 03 428 8842 or Cell 027 243 2725
