16 places
The southernmost wine region in the world, and the most spectacular to drive through — the vineyards start about 42 kilometres east of Queenstown through the Kawarau Gorge and spread over roughly the same distance again.
Pinot Noir is effectively the whole story: around three quarters of the plantings, grown on schist slopes in a continental climate of hot days and cold nights unlike anywhere else in New Zealand. Riesling and Pinot Gris fill in the rest.
Bannockburn, Gibbston and Bendigo are the sub-districts to know, and they are far enough apart that you should pick two rather than three. Queenstown makes the obvious base and the drive is part of the day. Cellar doors are seasonal here more than most — check hours outside the December to April summer, when some close entirely.
16 places
red
Carrick Wines and Ciders
247 Cairnmuir Road
Bannockburn
-45.0811282,169.1791955
Central Otago 9384
New Zealand
red
Georgetown Vineyard, New Zealand
583 Kawarau Gorge Road, State Highway 6,
Cromwell 9342
New Zealand
red
Hinton Estate Vineyard
19 Chicago St,
Alexandra
New Zealand
red
Judge Rock
36 Hillview Road
Alexandra 9391
New Zealand
red
Lamont Wines
PO Box 660
Wanaka
Central Otago 9343
New Zealand
red
Maharg Wines
Halliday Road
Wanaka
New Zealand
red
Northburn Station
PO Box 245
Cromwell 9342
New Zealand
red
Bald Hills Wines
PO Box 97
Cromwell 9342
New Zealand
red
Felton Road
319 Felton Road, R.D. 2
Bannockburn 9384
New Zealand
red
Mt Difficulty Wines
73 Felton Road
Bannockburn
Cromwell 9384
New Zealand
red
Mt Rosa Wines
Mt Rosa Station
47 Gibbston Back Road
Queenstown 9371
New Zealand
red
Mud House Wines
780 Glasnevin Road
Waipara 7447
New Zealand
red
Rockburn Wines
Rockburn Stables, 8 Coalpit Road
Gibbston 9371
New Zealand
red
Wild Earth Wines
180 State Highway 8B
Cromwell 9310
New Zealand