- 1Central Otago is New Zealand's southernmost wine region, and Pinot Noir is its flagship grape, according to New Zealand Winegrowers.
- 2Gibbston, the highest and coolest subregion, is the nearest to Queenstown: 25 km, or 25 to 30 minutes by road.
- 3Central Otago Winegrowers says the region has over 50 cellar doors, with subregions between 15 minutes and 1.5 hours' drive from Queenstown.
- 4Harvest falls in autumn, March to May. Check each cellar door's current hours, and plan a sober driver or a tour before you taste.
01 / Short answer
taste New Zealand's southernmost wine region, near Queenstown
What is Central Otago wine country? New Zealand Winegrowers calls Central Otago New Zealand's southernmost wine region, and Central Otago Winegrowers calls it the country's only semi-continental winegrowing region, with four full seasons. Its vineyard plantings cover just over 2,000 hectares, and Pinot Noir is the flagship variety. Gibbston, the nearest subregion, is 25 km from Queenstown. For guided tours, see our wine tours without driving guide.
02 / Subregions
Which Central Otago subregion can I visit from Queenstown?
| Subregion | What the wine bodies say | From Queenstown |
|---|---|---|
| Gibbston | The highest and coolest subregion, home to the region's first commercial bottlings in 1987. Grapes ripen later, giving lighter though still intense wines. | 25 km, 25 to 30 minutes on SH6, says Destination Queenstown. |
| Bannockburn | One of the warmest, driest sites in the region, on the south bank of the Kawarau River. Harvest can be up to a month ahead of other subregions. | About 45 minutes: Mt Difficulty gives that drive to its Bannockburn cellar door. |
| Cromwell, Lowburn and Pisa | Along the western side of Lake Dunstan, stretching some 25 km north of Cromwell. | Check your route; every subregion is within 1.5 hours. |
| Bendigo | At the junction of the Cromwell and Lindis valleys, on northwest facing ridges with high sunlight exposure. | Check your route; every subregion is within 1.5 hours. |
| Wānaka | The northernmost subregion, cooler and slightly wetter than the rest of the region. | 70 to 80 minutes by road, over the Crown Range or via Cromwell. |
| Alexandra | The most southerly subregion and the earliest planted, with viticulture dating to 1864 and some of the hottest summers and coldest winters. | Check your route; every subregion is within 1.5 hours. |
03 / The wine
What wine is Central Otago known for?
Descriptions come from New Zealand Winegrowers and Central Otago Winegrowers.
Flagship
Pinot Noir
White
Chardonnay
Aromatic
Riesling
Cool pockets
Pinot Gris
Pink
Rosé
04 / Seasons
When should I visit Central Otago wine country?
Each season as Central Otago Winegrowers describes it.
- Summer, December to February
Long daylight hours and warm temperatures.
- Autumn, March to May
Harvest, when the vineyards are active and the landscape turns copper and gold.
- Winter, June to August
A quieter pace, snow on the ranges and the chance to combine wine with the nearby ski fields. On the Crown Range Road, Destination Queenstown says to bring snow chains in winter.
- Spring, September to November
Vine growth returns, with fewer crowds before the peak season begins.
- Any season
Book ahead where you can, especially for smaller producers, at harvest and in peak summer, and check opening days before you set off.
05 / Cellar doors
Which cellar doors can I visit near Queenstown?
Four cellar doors near Queenstown, grouped by subregion and not ranked. Opening days change with the seasons, so check each cellar door's current hours and booking rules before you go.
Gibbston
Gibbston Valley
Gibbston
Peregrine Wines
Lake Hayes
Amisfield
Bannockburn
Mt Difficulty
06 / Getting there
How do I visit Central Otago wineries without driving?
Join a guided tour, cycle between cellar doors, or bring a sober driver. Central Otago Winegrowers says a car is essential for most visitors, because the wineries are spread out and public transport is limited, so without a car a guided tour covers the driving; our wine tours without driving guide covers them. Cycling trails link cellar doors in Gibbston, Cromwell and Bannockburn. If your group drives, Central Otago Winegrowers asks you to nominate a sober driver, or to taste but not swallow. New Zealand's limit for drivers 20 and over is 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, or 50 mg per 100 ml of blood; for drivers under 20 it is zero.