The Auswine Forum

Hi everyone,

A question for our NZ forumites: I'll be travelling to a conference in Queenstown later this week, and then driving up to Christchurch. I won't have much time, but wondered if there were one or two wineries it might be worth stopping by for a quick taste at. I appreciate this isn't necessarily the best part of NZ to explore from a wine perspective, but it's the best I'll get!

Also, are there any wines available cheaply in NZ that I should think about dropping in the suit case for the flight home?

Thanks!

P

PaulG wrote:I appreciate this isn't necessarily the best part of NZ to explore from a wine perspective, but it's the best I'll get!

Isn't Queenstown right near Otago and therefore some of the best pinot wineries outside Burgundy??!!

A Google search will help show what is nearby, just east of Queenstown, and hopefully our Kiwi friends will chime in with some good names to visit.

Yes, Central Otago is a very short drive from Queenstown ... lots of good wineries to check out

PaulG,

There is a plethora of wineries on the way from QT to Chch. Some worth mentioning in central otago would be Gibbston Valley, Rippon (which is in a stunning setting), Valli, Felton Road, My Difficulty, Amisfield. Also, if you like riesling then definitely check out Auburn. Riesling specific winery and it's lovely stuff!

Then, approx 1 hour north of Christchurch you have the Waipara which has a few others, probably most notably Pegasus Bay.

Hope this helps. Look forward to hearing what you find.

Cheers
Paul

Yes it IS (one of) the best parts of NZ to explore from a wine perspective! As you head out of Queenstown towards Christchurch, past Arrowtown and on through the Kawarau Gorge, you're right in the heartland of the Central Otago wine region. Scenery is OK too. On a fine day, the drive up through the centre of the South Island is almost as good as it gets for scenery (see below). So I hope the weather is kind, it'll still be very cold, brrr!

(great minds think alike PDG)..... Felton Road, Mt Difficulty, Amisfield and maybe Peregrine would be on my short list, and are all basically along the way or 10 minute detours, with Amisfield being a very popular slightly posh lunch spot as well if the timing works out. Rippon is in Wanaka, an hour north of Queenstown, and not on the way to ChCh, but if you have the time, the stunning location alone makes it worth the visit (call first though). I used to like Gibbston Valley and Valli, but recent releases haven't done much for me. And sadly, I think Auburn are no more based on Max's tweet, he's now in the US.

In Queenstown, if you need food options, check out Fergburger (legendary burgers morning noon and night, plus a good bakery), The Bunker (good but pricey), Eichaardts (decent Tapas and wine), Rata (posh mod-kiwi) and on a budget, The Cow for rowdy backbackers but good beer and pizza.

Grange is quite cheap in NZ and it's even in many supermarkets next to the Dom. But not in Q'town, that's too touristy for a real bargain. Wine Tastes in Q'town is an essential stop to get a feel for the wines of the region and NZ. Ask for online pricing if buying anything though. If you do find stuff you like, it's likely to be cheaper there than here (if it's even available here). And the beer is cheaper too....

Enjoy the trip!

TiggerK wrote: And sadly, I think Auburn are no more based on Max's tweet, he's now in the US.

Oh, what! No way! I have only recently tried it and fell in love

PDG wrote:

TiggerK wrote: And sadly, I think Auburn are no more based on Max's tweet, he's now in the US.

Oh, what! No way! I have only recently tried it and fell in love

Man, I liked those wines though havent seen any for a long time...
Great pic btw Tim...

So Timbo, what are the police like in that neck of the woods? That road is sooooo screaming for a Porsche 911 hire car (within the speed limits of course, maybe)

Few and far between, as are cars in general, but as always, might be one just around the corner....

So likely pretty safe on that stretch, might be best if we hire one each and take turns at being lookouts .... No kangaroos or wombats to hit either, plus if you hit a possum over there, you get a medal. But I love animals, so try to miss.

sjw_11 wrote:

PDG wrote:

TiggerK wrote: And sadly, I think Auburn are no more based on Max's tweet, he's now in the US.

Oh, what! No way! I have only recently tried it and fell in love

Man, I liked those wines though havent seen any for a long time...
Great pic btw Tim...

Slightly off topic...but...

I'm one of Max's Partners in Auburn, and sad but true, Max is now in the US, so there is no more Auburn to see for Central Otago visitors. But we did make one wine in 2014...

Wizz wrote:
Slightly off topic...but...

I'm one of Max's Partners in Auburn, and sad but true, Max is now in the US, so there is no more Auburn to see for Central Otago visitors. But we did make one wine in 2014...

Wizz,

I only discovered Auburn in April when I was back in Auckland. Gutted it is no longer but good luck with any future ventures.

Out of curiosity, when will you be releasing the 2014? And will there be any stockists in Auckland? I'm back in Auckland in November and can store it at my parents place (even though there is a large possibility they will try to fleece some of it )

Hoped you might pop up Wizz... Anywhere in NZ stocking the Auburn 2014? Esp in Q'Town or ChCh?

Wonder what is next on your radar?

There is a 14 Bannockburn, to be released to mailing list probably next month. Theres not a lot of it, so it may not go to retail at all.

i'd recommend you jump on that mailing list to secure some - there might be some back vintage offers to complement a single wine...

Apologies Gavin this is drifting into commercial territory - anyone else with interst please pm me rather than post here.

BTW on the original topic - if you're in QT driving to Chch, then you have no choice but to go past a few of the Gibbston cellar doors, unless you take the Crown Range road from QT to Wanaka. But if you go the longer way via Cromwell, then Central Otago is oyur oyster, a lot of good suggestions made already.

Once you ar over the Lindis Pass, then North Otago becomes an option. This is still germinating as a region, but there are somenice things going on. WOrth researching.

After that, there are some wineries on the Canterbury plain just south of Chch, but none of them get me as excited as the ones at Waipara, north of Chch,

cheers

Andrew

I would definitely try and stop at Chard Farm. The drive in has some of the spectaular views throughout the whole region. The winery is right on the edge of a massive gorge with a 100 m drop straight off the edge of the driveway.