There's new gold in this picturesque valley -- liquid gold, in the form of prize-winning wine! Central Otago's rugged hillsides are clad in lush vineyards that produce some of the country's most distinctive wines. Pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, and Riesling varieties are well suited to the hot summer days and cool nights. Since 1990, Central Otago pinot noir has topped its class five times in national wine competitions. Pick up the free brochure The Central Otago Wine Map, which locates the major wineries. The three best are close to Queenstown -- Gibbston Valley Wines, Peregrine, and Chard Farm. Rippon Vineyard is in Wanaka; Felton Road, Mt. Difficulty, and Olssen's are at Bannockburn, near Cromwell; and Springvale Estate, William Hill, Briar Vale Estate, and Black Ridge are in the Clyde/Alexandra area.
New vineyards are coming on stream all the time as the region's 686 hectares (1,694 acres) -- and expanding -- mature and many are developing new winery and restaurant complexes. There are now over 71 vineyards in the region. The Queenstown and Wanaka visitor centers can provide a comprehensive map and brochure of the Central Otago wine industry to make your self-drive exploration more satisfying and straightforward. For more information check www.otagowine.com, or www.cowa.org.nz.
