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Pinot Noir Wine Tour and the Vineyards of Central Otago
 Although
the area is small by international standards,
Central Otago
is fast gaining an international reputation for its pinot noir.
Positioned at 45° south, it
shares with the world’s most prestigious pinot producing regions,
Burgundy
in
France
and
Oregon
in the
USA,
similar climatic and geographical conditions.
The region can be divided into 4 sub-regions - the
Cromwell
Basin,
the Earnscleugh, the
Gibbston
Valley
and the Southern Lakes. The
Cromwell
Basin
accounts for 70% of the plantings in the region. The vineyards in the
Bannockburn
area of the basin grow amongst spectacular craggy sluiced hillsides that
were once worked by the gold miners just above the fast flowing
Kawarau
River.
The vineyards in the south west region in the Earnscleugh account for
10% of the plantings in the region and grow amongst the rocks and rugged
schist tors overlooking the
Clutha
River.
Apart from the region’s preferred pinot noir, the white aromatic wines
like
pinot
gris and
riesling are also starting to make a name for
themselves.
The vineyards in the
Cromwell
Basin
and the Earnscleugh are the closest to
Naseby.
We have wonderful contacts with a number of these wineries and
would encourage you to visit any of them for a personal tasting when you
are visiting
Central Otago.
Or if you would prefer, we can arrange an escorted tour of the
wineries.
Jim Ashe from Pinot Thyme Tours will accompany you on a memorable wine
tour which will include a visit to
-
The Big Picture, an essential interactive wine experience
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Several award winning Central Otago wineries which may also include ones
of your choice
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A stunning cellar door and restaurant for lunch
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Old Cromwell town
Travelling in the comfort of a modern vehicle you will be accompanied by
Jim, who grows grapes and makes his own wine as well as wine for other vineyards. He will be happy to show you this beautiful part of
Central Otago and share his extensive knowledge of grape growing and
wine making.
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