{"id":7579,"date":"2023-01-19T09:08:51","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T20:08:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/?p=7579"},"modified":"2025-11-24T19:06:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T06:06:46","slug":"central-otago-from-bendigo-to-wanaka-to-pisa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/?p=7579","title":{"rendered":"Central Otago: from Bendigo to Wanaka to Pisa"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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You\u2019ve been around the wineries of Gibbston, Bannockburn and visited the Cellar Doors of Cromwell \u2013 time for a drive through some gorgeous Central scenery, and, in some cases, get a bit off the beaten track. We\u2019ll head out along the lake and around to Wanaka, then back down the western side through to Pisa. Strap in for an epic day out.<\/p>

If the Farmers\u2019 Market is on in Cromwell, make sure you have an early morning stop there \u2013 you can pick up some superb local produce. Grab a takeaway coffee with your breakfast and pile into the car, heading out of town on SH8 on the eastern side of Lake Dunstan.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Your first stop is the rather glorious Cloudy Bay Shed<\/b> at 45 Northburn Station Road. The Shed is open from 11am to 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday, expanding to seven days a week from the summer months onwards. Offering the full range of Cloudy Bay wines to taste, and to enjoy by the glass, You can also book a private tasting, or a range of custom-made experiences, including vineyard tours by land and by air.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The restaurant next to the Tasting room has high ceilings, large tables and expansive views through a wall of glass. The food is sublime – probably the best in a fine-dining style – that I ate on my most recent visit to Central.\u00a0<\/span>I had a rabbit dish, and Curt had their award-winning lamb tartare dish.<\/p>

Cloudy Bay has been making wine from Central Otago since 2010, having bought the Northburn vineyard in 2012 and leasing part of the Calvert vineyard on Felton Road in Bannockburn. The Cloudy Bay \u201cTe Wahi\u201d Pinot Noir combines the qualities of the two distinctive vineyard sites, and is well recommended.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Leaving Northburn behind, you\u2019re on your way to one of Central Otago\u2019s most talked-about regions for viticulture \u2013 Bendigo. It\u2019s often remarked upon that Bendigo is a unique sub-region within Central, producing wines that are identifiably of this place \u2013 I\u2019ve described them as \u2018sunshine in a glass\u2019<\/p>

Vines cling to the hills above the valley floor \u2013 the Bendigo Flats \u2013 although quite a few vineyards are along the flat besides the gravel Bendigo Loop Road as well. One of the sub-region\u2019s pioneers, Quartz Reef,<\/b> have their vineyards here \u2013 established by Rudi Bauer in 1998.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A range of other labels that you may have visited along your tour of Central Otago Cellar doors \u2013 like Misha\u2019s<\/b> (an in-depth chat with Misha and winemaker Olly masters is coming soon) and Peregrine<\/b>, have vineyards here. Other wine brands also produce wines from Bendigo, with grapes grown on contract from vineyards such as the Zebra Vineyard (Valli<\/b> and Thornbury<\/b>, to name a couple) for example. Tarras Vineyards<\/b>, The Trig Hill vineyard of Rock Ferry<\/b> is here in Bendigo; as is Folding Hill<\/b> who make a couple of Pinot Noirs \u2013 with some Chardonnay coming along I hear \u2013 but also don\u2019t offer a Cellar Door. You can check out these Bendigo labels websites though and either order wines, or take a mental note and look for the bottles in retail and restaurants.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Open by appointment is Prophet\u2019s Rock<\/b>, where the talented team make some pretty serious Pinot Noir from their \u2018Home\u2019 and \u2018Rocky Point\u2019 vineyards. Winemaker Paul Pujol\u2019s collaboration with Francois Millet of Chambolle-Musigny (that\u2019s in Burgundy, France \u2013 also where Paul worked the 2009 vintage) has resulted not just in wines of some distinction \u2013 the two Cuv\u00e9e aux Antipodes wines, but also seems to have elevated the labels other wines to new heights. Talented winemaker in his own right – Austin Black, who was recently winemaker at Terra Sancta, has joined the crew here in 2022.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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They make a pair of Pinot Gris, and a dry style Riesling alongside the headline wines. I dropped in on a recent visit and found their new \u201cOleria\u201d expression of Pinot Noir to be very impressive. The location is spectacular \u2013 they\u2019re way off track and over 350 metres up the side of Chinaman\u2019s Terrace. If you wanted a visit, take a look at the website \u2013 www.prophetsrock.co.nz<\/a> and send them an enquiry. Worth a look.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Another of the pioneers of the region, Domenic Mondillo runs his eponymous label, Mondillo<\/b>, out of a beautiful winery and Tasting Room at 370 Bendigo Loop Road. Established in 2001, you can read the full story of how this Single Estate wine producer was being scoped out as far back as 1998, in our interview here\u2026<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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They only grow two varietals \u2013 Pinot Noir and Riesling, (the single row of ancient Gewurz doesn\u2019t really count) but produce a range of wines, from an intoxicating Ros\u00e9 to a decadent botrytis Riesling \u2013 \u2018Nina\u2019 \u2013 in certain years. Their two Pinot Noirs are fantastic \u2013 the limited edition \u2018Bella\u2019 Reserve, and the elegant Pinot win hatfuls of awards. The Cellar Door is by prior appointment only \u2013 give them a call on 03 442 6641 or take a look at their website www.mondillo.com<\/a>. Domenic is the most gregarious host and tells some remarkable stories (most of them true).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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It\u2019s about 45kms drive around the top of the lake to our next destination in Wanaka, but, as with anywhere in central Otago, the scenery is breathtaking, so settle back and enjoy the drive.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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At 413 Maori Point Road in Tarras, there\u2019s the award-winning Maori Point vineyard<\/b>, open for Tasting from June to November Thu-Sun 1-5pm, and in Summer every day except Tuesday. Another family-run business, you\u2019ll meet the person who makes the wines, grows the grapes and so on. Interesting people with a definite scientific background (neuroscientists and professors!) with a real artisan approach to the winemaking. The property is gorgeous \u2013 the winery is virtually amongst the vines and you can stroll down to the Clutha River. The Pinot Noirs regularly attain 95 and 96 point scores from critics (I\u2019m yet to try one myself, sorry \u2013 maybe next time) and should be on your list for tasting when you visit. Check before visiting on their website\u00a0www.maoripoint.co.nz<\/a>, or call 03 428 8842.<\/p>

A little further along the road heading north away from Tarras, on the Luggate-Tarras Road is Swallows Crossing Vineyard<\/b>, and the Swallows Rest Lodge, beside the Clutha River. Producing single vineyard wines, from the family estate, Julie and Dan Asher run the vineyard and wines are made at the Mt Difficulty winery over in Bannockburn.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Maude<\/b> Tasting Room.<\/p>

During the evening, this is Bistro Gentil, serving elegant French-inspired food and 7-course degustations; but during the day it\u2019s the Tasting Room for Maude Wines. This family-run winery are now possibly best known for a range of Pinot Noirs, but I discovered them through a showstopper of a Chardonnay (I know). You should definitely check out all the single vineyard expressions \u2013 they are all particular personalities. \u2018Mohawk Hill Pinot Noir\u2019 has been winning awards this last year, but I do like the \u2018East Meets West Pinot Noir\u2019 myself. The \u2018Maude Pinot Noir\u2019 is a blend of fruit from their vineyards, and the 2017 vintage was The Champion Wine of Show at the NZ Wine of the Year Awards (so that\u2019s like saying it\u2019s the best wine in New Zealand!!) I\u2019d rate this a Must-Do if you\u2019re anywhere near Wanaka.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Tasting Room is at 76A Golf Course Road, phone 03 443 2299 and do check out their website\u00a0 www.maudewines.com<\/a>. I dropped in at the vineyard at the end of 2002 – and it is a spectacular, steep site a few kms out from the township. Look out for a second edition of\u00a0 <\/span>a conversation with the Maude team soon on here, but for now – you\u2019ll find my original article is still on the site…<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMaude interview >><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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As I write this, Maude are the only label to have had the top wine in TWO of our Top 10 Tasting events. Winning the Riesling session with their Mt Maude Dry Riesling<\/strong> – www.winefolio.co.nz\/?p=4970<\/a>. Plus they followed that up with the top wine in the Sparkling wine tasting – Maude M\u00e9thode Traditionelle NV <\/b>– the article is here – www.winefolio.co.nz\/?p=7313<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Moving on from Maude, head over to the best view in town, at 246 Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Rd. Rippon<\/b> only take appointment bookings for their tastings which will take about 30 minutes, and they\u2019re usually open from Weds through to Monday in the afternoons from 1pm. It was 1982 when Rolfe and Lois planted the first block of vines here, and the land continues to be biodynamically farmed by the Mills family, producing outstanding Pinot Noir and a quirky range of other varietals. One of the \u2018Mature Vines\u2019 Pinot Noirs (the 2010 vintage) scored an amazing 100 points from top critic, James Suckling, and is consistently considered one of New Zealand\u2019s best wines.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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At the tasting you\u2019ll get the chance to try some wines such as Osteiner \u2013 a white varietal cross of Riesling and Sylvaner, a relatively hard-to-find \u2018Gamay\u2019 (like a lighter Pinot Noir, commonly used in Beaujolais wines), asa well as the more common Riesling, Gewurz and Pinot Noir of course. It\u2019s at the Cellar Door that you might be able to pick up one of those rare 100-point wines too!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Don\u2019t forget your camera as the view from here is very, very hard to beat. You can read more about Rippon in our feature here >> Website is\u00a0www.rippon.co.nz<\/a>\u00a0for bookings, or call 03 443 8084. They do not serve food, and don\u2019t allow you to picnic \u2013 just come for the wine (oh, and maybe a photo, did I mention that?).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Another place that could be worth a look whilst you\u2019re in town is Aitken\u2019s Folly Vineyard<\/b>. The Cellar Door is usually open from midday until 5pm, 7 days a week (look out for the flag \u2013 if it\u2019s flying, they\u2019re open!) The wines are made up at Maude (who do produce a few people\u2019s wines as well) from their small family-run vineyard of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their \u2018Riverbank Chardonnay 2018\u2019 recently won a coveted Gold Medal at the NZIWS, and is made in fairly small quantities, so I\u2019d recommend giving that a go when you visit. They have a place to stay in as well if you fancy a night overlooking the vineyard. 246 Riverbank Road \u2013 Ph 03 443 2663,\u00a0www.aitkensfolly.com<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Akitu<\/b> are another very, very, very good label that have their wines made at Maude – by their own winemaker PJ Charteris. This beautiful 12 hectare vineyard is on the outskirts of town at the base of Mt Barker, and is planted to just Pinot Noir. Three wines are commonly made – the original A1 – the more recent A2, plus a Blanc de Noir that is just wonderful. By the way, so are the others\u2026 the A1 has won some big awards at overseas competitions, and rave reviews from proper critics like Matthew Jukes and Jancis Robinson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The only wines of theirs I\u2019ve been able to review is the 2016 vintage of A1 – www.winefolio.co.nz\/?p=4408<\/a> and I thought was solid gold medal quality – 95\/100; although I did drop in and spend a couple of hours with founder Andrew Donaldson and tried some of the more recent expressions – this feature will be online soon. The Pinot Noir Blanc was reviewed on release with this sentence \u201cI urge you to taste this wine \u2014 there is nothing like it on earth\u201d which is quite the write-up!!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Well-known Central Otago brand Archangel Wines, was rebranded as Nanny Goat Vineyards<\/b> last year. The vineyards and Winery and are a short drive from Wanaka, just past Luggate, at 68 Queensberry Terrace in Queensberry. The Cellar Door opens at 11am on Fridays and is open through the weekend and on Mondays. You can grab a platter to go with your tasting and relax amongst some pretty spectacular vistas. The wines are classic Central Otago \u2013 a couple of Pinot Noirs, one a blend of regional vineyards, and a premium \u201cSuper Nanny\u201d (how could you resist trying that!) made from the year\u2019s best fruit. Add in a Chardonnay (I know), a blend of Gewurz, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay (it looks like a ros\u00e9) and a whole bunch limited edition wine called \u201cBasket Case\u201d.\u00a0www.Nannygoatvineyard.co.nz<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Ph 03 443 4347<\/p>

Queensberry is also home to the LazyDog vineyard<\/b>, operated by the Harker family. Their Cellar Door at 2 Gladsmuir Road, \u00a0is open Thursday to Sunday from midday and it\u2019s pretty much the same distance from Cromwell or Wanaka to get here, so it can get fairly busy and bookings are recommended. The location provides superb ingredients for the kitchen \u2013 think local venison, salmon, pork, lamb and beef; so it makes sense to have a meal with a glass of local wine, as well as the wine tasting. Queensberry is one of the newer sub-regions of Central, and some parts of the area are still undergoing plantings of new vines.\u00a0Try one their Chenin Blanc varietals, including a sweet version, or Gewurz and Chardonnay also feature alongside a Pinot Noir, of course.\u00a0www.lazydog.co.nz<\/a>, or Phone: 03 445 3211 or email\u00a0info@lazydog.co.nz<\/a>\u00a0for a booking or more information.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Two Degrees<\/b> wines label has another beautiful vineyard site in the Queensberry area, but it is just that \u2013 they don\u2019t offer a Cellar Door. With three Trophy Awards for their Pinot Noir at the Royal Easter Show Wine awards since the vineyard\u2019s first vintage in 2007, this would definitely be a wine to look out for.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A little further down the road is the 14 hectare Locharburn<\/b> Vineyard, a boutique family-run affair, producing a range of limited-release wines. You can taste the current range up the road at the Lazy Dog<\/b> in Queensberry. Also look out for the owner, Jenny Hill\u2019s art, including textile and mixed media, which is inspired by the region\u2019s landscapes.\u00a0www.locharburnwines.com<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Moving down the lake back towards Cromwell, there are a couple of notable sub-regions that you may here of when talking about Central Otago wines. One is Pisa, and the others are Parkburn and Lowburn. This is a premium wine-growing area, and you will see a few swathes of grapes planted around this area \u2013 the Burn Cottage<\/b> vineyard, Kopuwai Delta vineyard<\/b> (Prophet\u2019s Rock<\/b> make wine from here), Rockburn<\/b>, the Tiger<\/i> and Viper vineyards<\/i> of Chard Farm<\/b>; Mitre Rocks<\/b>\u2026 to name a few.<\/p>

The Ramsay<\/b> is a vineyard established in 2001, with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay. Initially made at COWCO, Matt Connell is now the contract winemaker, and we have reviewed the rather nice wines here – www.winefolio.co.nz\/?p=2198<\/p>

Tours are available by appointment \u2013 see their website\u00a0 www.ramsaywines.co.nz<\/a>\u00a0for booking details. The 2017 Pinot Noir won a Gold medal at the NZIWS in 2019, and is a big recommendation from us at WineFolio.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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When this opened it was one of the most spectacular new Cellar Doors \u2013 the much-anticipated Tasting room at Domaine Thomson<\/b> at 46 Clark Road, Mount Pisa. Open daily from 11am to 5pm for booked appointments \u2013 you can either check out the website \u2013\u00a0www.domainethomsonwines.com<\/a>, and email or call 03 445 4912. The Cellar door is on a natural ridgeline floating above the vineyard, with majestic views across the lake to the hills beyond. It\u2019s a simply gorgeous building \u2013 feeling totally at home despite being brand-new, with a rustic but refined ambience of limestone, iron roofing, wooden floors and exposed beams. It was undoubtedly one of my Cellar door highlights of the year (and I was privileged to be one of the first few through the doors).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Named after one of the owner\u2019s Great-Great Grandfather \u2013 John Turnbull Thomson – known as \u2018Surveyor Thomson\u2019 who had mapped and explored much of central Otago in the 1850s. In fact, the Pisa Range and St Bathans Range were both named by him.<\/p>

Unusual in that the company operates vineyards in both Central Otago\u2019s 45 degree South, and Burgundy\u2019s 47 degree North parallels \u2013 a perfect marriage of Old and New World visions. Plus you can taste both \u2018sets\u2019 of wines at the Cellar door. From Central comes a trio of beautiful Pinot Noirs and a ros\u00e9, as well as Chardonnays (and more Pinot) from France.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Bendigo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve been around the wineries of Gibbston, Bannockburn and visited the Cellar Doors of Cromwell \u2013 time for a drive through some gorgeous Central scenery, and, in some cases, get … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7580,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nz-wine-regions"],"yoast_head":"\nCentral Otago: from Bendigo to Wanaka to Pisa - WineFolio<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/?p=7579\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Central Otago: from Bendigo to Wanaka to Pisa - 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