Central Otago
Wine Tours
The stunningly diverse landscape will captivate any nature lover, while the vibrant towns and villages offer plenty of wineries to visit.
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A Pinot Noir Lover's Paradise
Nestled in the southernmost part of New Zealand’s South Island, Central Otago is a breathtaking region renowned for its dramatic landscapes and world-class wines. Framed by rugged mountains, shimmering lakes, and winding rivers, this picturesque area captivates visitors with its natural beauty and serene charm. As one of the world’s premier Pinot Noir regions, Central Otago is a haven for wine enthusiasts seeking elegant, cool-climate varietals.
Luxury travelers are drawn to its boutique wineries, gourmet dining experiences, and indulgent accommodations set amidst stunning scenery. Beyond its viticulture, the region is steeped in history, from its gold rush heritage to charming towns like Clyde, with its preserved 19th-century architecture. Art galleries, local crafts, and seasonal farmers’ markets add to its vibrant cultural scene, while culinary highlights include fresh, locally sourced produce and innovative cuisine. Central Otago promises an unforgettable blend of indulgence, adventure, and sophistication.
Discover other wine regions in New Zealand
New Zealand Grape Varieties:
- Auckland Auckland
- Marlborough Marlborough
- Martinborough Martinborough
- Central Otago Central Otago
- Canterbury Canterbury
- Hawke's Bay Hawke's Bay
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Central Otago
Central Otago, located in the southernmost part of New Zealand’s South Island, is one of the world’s most unique wine regions. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes of jagged mountains, glacial lakes, and winding rivers, this region offers a cool climate and diverse terroir ideal for producing exceptional wines. With vineyards perched at some of the highest altitudes in New Zealand, Central Otago is especially famous for its Pinot Noir, celebrated for its elegance, complexity, and vibrant fruit flavors.
The region’s terroir is shaped by its extreme continental climate, with hot, dry summers and cold winters, as well as mineral-rich soils of schist and gravel. These factors combine to produce wines with remarkable purity, intensity, and balance. While Pinot Noir reigns supreme, Central Otago is also known for crisp whites such as Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Gris, each reflecting the region’s unique character.
The area’s boutique wineries prioritize quality and innovation, offering intimate cellar door experiences that showcase the best of their craft. Central Otago’s wine culture is complemented by its stunning scenery, luxury accommodations, and gourmet local cuisine, making it a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts and travelers seeking an unforgettable experience.
Highlights
Breathtaking beauty: Immerse yourself in the stunning Milford Sound, the Remarkables Mountain Range, and the cascading waterfalls of Fiordland National Park.
Like nowhere else: Indulge in a sensory journey through the world of Central Otago's renowned Pinot Noirs, Pinot Gris, and Riesling, crafted by our favorite producers.
Adrenaline-fueled experiences: Unleash your inner thrill-seeker in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, where countless hair-raising activities await your every turn.
Central Otago Highlights
Stay at The Central
Features
The Central - a boutique luxury hotel with views of the Remarkables.
A surreal sanctuary inspired by the magic found in the surrounding nature. With a creative-cool designer style and luxe facilities, this is a high-end playground for grown-ups. The ultimate sanctuary for relaxation, from the spacious guest rooms to the hotel sauna or complimentary drinks served in a cozy shared lounge every evening
Explore Queenstown
Features
Meander the shores of Lake Wakatipu and take a stroll into the Queenstown Gardens to enjoy the beautiful blooming roses of summer. Hop on the Gondola to see Queenstown from up high or walk the track for the iconic view from the Basket of Dreams of the Remarkables Range.
Fly & Cruise Milford Sound
Features
Enjoy a scenic flightseeing tour over the dramatic Fjordland scenery before traversing the full length of the 7.5-mile fjord over 2 hours. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world,' Milford Sound is breathtaking in any weather. The fjord's cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards some as high as 1000 metres. When it rains in Milford Sound, and it often does, those waterfalls multiply with magnificent effect.
Bannockburn Wine Touring
Features
Explore the wine regions of Bendigo and Bannockburn with a local guide. Enjoy tastings at estates such as Mount Difficulty, Domain Road, or Felton Road. Lunch overlooking some of the finest vineyards, landscapes and mountain scenery in the world. Afternoon tastings at Matt Connell Wines or Prophet's Rock showcase the regions premium Pinot Noir wines.
Sample Itineraries
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You're in control
At Into The Vineyard, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer you complete freedom to build your perfect trip. Start with one of our many sample itineraries and customize as you desire, or start with a blank page, and with the help of our expert Trip Planners, we can create your dream wine-inspired travel experience.
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Testimonials
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Carol F
We booked Into The Vineyard to plan a custom itinerary for our trip to New Zealand in March 2023. They did not disappoint on any level at all. They listened to our wants/travel style needs and planned accordingly. The accommodations were first class and wonderfully different in every city. The private tour drivers were excellent, very experienced and knowledgeable in every city. We could not have asked for a better experience in any aspect of this trip. Without reservation, we would recommend this company and we would use them again to plan future trips.
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Keith S
On our third trip organized by our friends at Into the Vineyard and what can I say but they have helped us with another amazing experience. Whether it was our tour of Argentina, Italy or now these two amazing countries they consistently deliver an experience that gives us a local flavor and wanting more! Always courteous and conscious of our needs and the time we have, I don’t know how they are able to help us experience so much.