Central Otago - More than just Pinot Noir
Central Otago has a wine history dating back to the time of the gold rush in the 1860s and 70s. People from all over the world flocked to the region to find gold and there are reports of grapes being planted around the time by a man called Luigi Valli.
In 1895, the New Zealand government hired Italian viticulturist, Romeo Bragato, to survey the country and assess the wine growing potential of the different regions. Upon coming to Central Otago, Bragato was astonished to see how well grapes grew, claiming:
"There was no country on the face of the earth which produced better Burgundy grapes than were produced in Central Otago" - Otago Daily Times, 27th April 1895
Despite these grand claims, nothing happened in the region for the next 100 years and it wasn’t until 1987 that commercial production of grapes took place at Gibbston Valley winery, founded by Alan Brady, the godfather of Central Otago wine.
A grape rush took place through the 1990s and early 2000s and now over 2000 hectares of vines are planted in the region.
Key regions of Central Otago
Gibbston Valley, Bannockbun, Lowburn, Pisa and Bendigo.
Wanaka is 50km north of Cromwell
Waitaki - the coolest and most easterly subregion.
Wanaka can be seen to the northwest of Bendigo.
The major grape varieties
Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay Riesling…
Amisfield Pinot Gris Central Otago 2022
Region - Pisa, Central Otago
Grape - Pinot Gris
Winery location - Pisa, cellar door found in Gibbston Valley
Winemaking - Grapes were gently pressed and settled overnight before racking into a combination of fermentation vessels with 25% fermented naturally in large oak barrels. The wine was then aged on lees for 4 months to incorporate a textural element to the wine.
Rippon Gewurztraminer Central Otago 2020
Region - Wānaka
Grape - Gewurztraminer
Schist soils, a continental climate and the proximity to Lake Wānaka are all key to the wines.
Winemaking - Slow, whole bunch pressings, wild ferments and extended lees contact.
Mount Edward Chenin Blanc Central Otago 2021
Region - Morrison vineyard in Pisa
Winery is located in Gibbston Valley
Mount Edward Wines was founded by the godfather of modern Central Otago wine, Alan Brady, in 1997. Duncan Forsyth is now the winemaker.
Winemaking - whole bunch pressed directly to barrel, fermented naturally using the vineyard yeasts, all in older French oak. 16 months on lees prior to bottling.
Quartz Reef Gruner Veltliner 2022
Grape - Gruner Veltliner
Region - Bendigo
This wine is from a BioGro certified organic and Demeter certified biodynamic estate vineyard located in the Bendigo subregion of Central Otago.
The vineyard was first planted in 1998 and the Gruner Veltliner added in 2008. Rudi Bauer was the original winemaker.
Winemaking - Whole bunch pressed, free run juice only. Natural fermentation and aged on yeast lees for 9 months during which full malolactic fermentation occurred.
Valli Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir 2021
Region - Waitaki
Grape - Pinot Noir
The winery is located in the Gibbston Valley and was established by Grant Taylor in1998 - Grant had been making wine in the region for five years prior. The winemaker is now Jen Parr.
Valli Waitaki Pinot Noir is made with grapes grown on Grant's Road in the Waitaki Valley, a maritime influenced climate planted between 2004 and 2005 at 200 metres above sea level on limestone based soils. River gravels also make up some of the soil type here.
800 growing degree days
Rainfall: Approx. 530mm per annum
20% whole bunch, 32% new oak for 11 months.
Valli Bendigo Pinot Noir Central Otago 2021
Region - Bendigo
Grape - Pinot Noir
Valli Bendigo is made at a vineyard located at about 350m altitude.
1150 growing degree days
Rainfall: Approx. 450mm per Annum
35% whole bunch, 27% new oak for 11 months.
