Southern-most Vineyards
New Zealand’s newest wine region is Central Otago in the South Island, home of the southernmost vineyards in the world. The area is noted for its Pinot Noir (around 60 percent of grapes planted), with Pinot Gris being an up-and-coming variety. Central Otago is also New Zealand's fastest growing wine region. Since the first commercially produced wine was released in 1987, the region has become firmly established on the international wine map.
The pioneer of winemaking in the area is Rippon Vineyard, known not only for its premium wine as a vineyard of extraordinary beauty. It nestles beneath the dramatic Buchanan mountain range, on the edge of Lake Wanaka. Rippon has a gold medal-winning Pinot Noir and also makes Bio-Gro (organic) certified wines. Barbecued gourmet picnic lunches are available in the vineyard January-February, and the vineyard is open for tasting and sales from 11:00am-5:00pm from December to April. The Central Otago Wine Trail can be done in a day.
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