Central Otago
Central Otago, the world's most southerly wine region, produces internationally acclaimed, intensely flavoured Pinot Noir from dramatic snow-capped basins and geothermal landscapes.
Fast facts
At a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Climate | Continental, cool, dramatic day-night swings |
| Geography | Semi-arid inland basins of the South Island, highest wines in NZ |
| Key appellations | Central Otago GI · Gibbston · Bendigo · Bannockburn · Cromwell |
| Main grapes | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris |
| Famous for | Premium Pinot Noir, World's southernmost vineyards, Queenstown |
Grapes
Signature grapes of Central Otago
The varieties that define this region's wines.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is Burgundy's great gift to the wine world — light in colour yet profound in flavour, haunting in i…
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the world's most planted white grape and a remarkable blank canvas for terroir and winemaking. F…
Riesling
Riesling is one of the world's greatest white grapes — aromatic, intensely acidic, and profoundly age-worthy. …
Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris in French) produces two very different styles. Italian Pinot Grigio is light-bodied, …
Nearby
Related regions
Explore neighbouring wine areas.
Wine travel
Visiting Central Otago
Queenstown's adventure capital backdrop and the scenic wineries of Gibbston and Bannockburn make this a spectacular destination.
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