Central Otago Winegrowers Association

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Central Otago Winegrowers Association

Discover NZ's southernmost w**e-growing region

09/10/2026

MEET THE MAKERS: PART 4 🍷✨

Last but definitely not least! Meet the final six Central Otago producers heading across the ditch for PURE POURS.

Akarua takes its name from the Māori meaning “two vines”, honouring its founding varieties, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Based in Bannockburn, the vineyards thrive in an extraordinary landscape of ancient schist soils, dramatic temperature shifts, and untamed natural beauty.

Established in 1988, Amisfield is one of Central Otago's leading single-estate organic w**eries, internationally recognised for its w**es, award-winning restaurant and authentic expression of place.

Burn Cottage came about from a passion and love for Pinot Noir, a bit of fortuitous timing, and a gut feeling about the wild and rugged land in Central Otago. Two decades on, it’s still about small production, patient work and making the most of one of the world’s great w**e regions.

Mora W**es & Artisan Kitchen, meaning “to pause or to linger,” is a second-generation New Zealand family-owned w**ery with deep roots in the region. Founded by the Skeggs family, Mora farms 90 hectares across six estate vineyards in the Bannockburn and Pisa subregions.

One vision, two hemispheres. Domaine Thomson W**es brings together a love of Burgundy and Central Otago, crafting Pinot Noir across vineyards in both regions. Their story is one of family, history and a shared passion for Pinot Noir.

McArthur Ridge Vineyard produces w**es from one of the southernmost vineyards in the world, located in the Alexandra Basin. Expect restrained power, elegance and finesse, with w**es that are approachable from release but reward those with patience.

Now you’ve got to know the w**eries, come along and try the w**es for yourself. 🍷 Tickets for PURE POURS are on sale via Humanitix now!

Sydney | 17 October | The International
Melbourne | 19 October | Victoria by Farmer's Daughters
Brisbane | 20 October | The Lodge James Street

06/10/2026

MEET THE MAKERS: PART 3 🍷✨

Five more Central Otago producers heading to Australia for PURE POURS this October.

Te Kano Estate means “seed” in Māori, inspired by the 400-year-old Old Man Kōwhai that stands above the Northburn vineyard. W**emaker Dave Sutton brings experience from vintages around the world and a hands-off approach that lets the site and fruit do the talking.

Quartz Reef W**es is Central Otago’s pioneering sparkling house and a founding estate of Bendigo. Rudi Bauer made the region’s first sparkling base w**e in 1990, and today the estate produces Méthode Traditionnelle and Pinot Noir from organic and biodynamic fruit.

Mount Edward W**ery has never been one to follow the rules. Guided by its “Grow Your Own Way” motto, the w**ery makes textural, seriously moreish w**es, while pushing boundaries with everything from vermouth to w**e on tap.

Monte Christo W**ery traces its roots all the way back to 1864 and is the birthplace of Central Otago w**e. Today, the estate makes w**es from three Central Otago subregions, with organic, regenerative and sustainable vineyard practices at its heart.

Rockburn W**es is a small, passionate team with a big ambition, sharing the spirit of Central Otago with the world. From Pinot Gris and Chardonnay to Fumé Blanc and Pinot Noir, the w**es reflect the personality of the place and its people. W**emaker Malcolm Rees-Francis celebrated his 21st vintage in 2026.

Get your PURE POURS tickets on Humanitix now before they're gone! 🎟️

01/10/2026

MEET THE MAKERS: PART 2 🍷✨

Six more Central Otago producers heading to Australia for PURE POURS this October.

Coal Pit Vineyard & W**ery is a family-owned vineyard and w**ery in Gibbston, best known for refined, cellar-worthy Pinot Noir. The w**es are shaped by elevated north-facing slopes, schist-based soils and a quiet, uncompromising approach to quality.

Moko Hills Vineyard began with a serendipitous discovery in the foothills of Central Otago. Former research ecologist Donald van der Westhuizen now crafts small-batch Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Bendigo, alongside a market garden, beehives, truffles and native kānuka.

Prophet's Rock has deep roots in Bendigo, but w**emaker Paul Pujol’s path to the w**ery has taken him much further afield. From Alsace to Oregon and Burgundy, Paul has worked with some serious names in cool-climate w**e, bringing that experience back to the ancient terraces of Bendigo.

Maude W**es has been part of the Wānaka w**e scene since 1994, when the first vines were planted at Mt Maude. More than 30 years later, third-generation w**emaker Sam Wilson is continuing the family story.

Domaine Rewa is a 5.5-hectare organic estate nestled in the foothills of the Pisa Range. Founded by Philippa and Yannick Fourbet, the estate produces small-volume, single-vineyard w**es that unite an Old World philosophy with the unique terroir and energy of Central Otago.

Wooing Tree is a family-owned w**ery run by Steve and Thea Farquharson, who returned to Cromwell for their first vintage in 2005. Their 17-hectare Pink Moon Vineyard is home to the Wooing Tree w**es, including the much-loved Blondie.

Six more reasons to get PURE POURS on your radar this October. 🍷

Sydney | 17 October | The International
Melbourne | 19 October | Victoria by Farmer's Daughters
Brisbane | 20 October | The Lodge James Street

Tickets via the link in bio or Humanitix.

29/09/2026

MEET THE MAKERS! 🍷✨

Five of the names bringing Central Otago to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this October for PURE POURS.

Wild Irishman has some serious Central Otago history. Alan Brady, often called the godfather of Central Otago w**e, planted the first grapes in Gibbston in 1981. More than 40 years on, he’s still making Pinot Noir with Brian Shaw.

Rippon has four generations of the Mills family behind it, mature vines and one of those views over Lake Wānaka that never gets old. Anyone who’s been will know exactly what we mean.

Dicey began with two brothers, three vineyards and the dry, unforgiving landscape of Bannockburn. W**e runs deep for the Diceys. In the dirt and in the veins.

Valli W**e was founded by Grant Taylor in 1998 with a focus on showing just how different Otago’s subregions can be. Gibbston, Bannockburn and Bendigo all have their own story to tell, come taste the difference!

Carrick W**ery & Restaurant has always been about more than w**e alone. It’s about what w**e can create, moments of connection to the land, to the experience, and to each other.

Come and taste a serious amount of Central Otago w**e in one room, with the people who make it.

Sydney | 17 October | The International
Melbourne | 19 October | Victoria by Farmer's Daughters
Brisbane | 20 October | The Lodge James Street

22 w**eries. 90+ w**es. Three cities. One chance to taste them all.

Tickets via the link in bio or via Humanitix.

22/09/2026

Wondering what PURE POURS is all about?

This year, 22 Central Otago producers are crossing the ditch, ready to pour their latest and greatest.

Here's how it works: walk in, grab a glass, and go at your own pace. Talk to the w**emakers, ask as many questions as you like, and taste your way to something new.

Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane on your October calendar? Add PURE POURS to the list and come taste for yourself. 🍷

📍 Sydney | 17 October
📍 Melbourne | 19 October
📍 Brisbane | 20 October

We sold out last year, so don't leave it too late. Link in bio to grab your tickets or find them on Humanitix. We'll see you there!

10/09/2026

Australia, we’re coming back. 🇦🇺

A little taste of what happened when PURE POURS made its debut last year, and we’re getting ready to do it all again.

Three cities, a room filled with Central Otago w**es, and 22 w**eries ready to pour, chat, and share a few stories.

Sydney. Melbourne. Brisbane. We’ll see you in October. 🍷

Tickets via the link in bio.

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20/08/2026

90 years young and still chasing the perfect Pinot 🍷

Central Otago pioneer Alan Brady planted the first vines in Gibbston in 1981, helping shape a w**e region now renowned around the world. After founding three w**eries and putting his 21st Wild Irishman vintage into barrel, Alan remains driven by the same goal: crafting w**es that truly reflect their place.

“Humility is the key to understanding the message from the terroir.”

A lifetime dedicated to Pinot Noir, a legacy of innovation, and a reminder that there’s always more to learn. 🍇✨

Read the full story from the August / September edition of the New Zealand W**egrower Magazine at the link below 🔗
https://bit.ly/CO-Pinot-Pioneer

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18/08/2026

There's a reason Central Otago and Pinot Noir go hand in hand.

The first vines went into Central Otago's soil in the 1860s. But it took over a century for a new generation of w**e pioneers in the 1970s and '80s to see what this place could really do: high altitude, dry summers, cool nights, mineral-rich soils, built for one grape.

By 1987, Gibbston Valley released the region's first commercial Pinot Noir.

Today, Central Otago is Pinot Noir.

Now's as good a time as any to enjoy a glass and think about the people who took the chance on growing it here. Happy International Pinot Noir Day 🍷

14/08/2026

Central W**e Retreat 2026, wrapped🍷

21 trade guests, 22 w**eries and a LOT of w**e.

We walked the vines, tasted our way through the subregions, tackled Bendigo by 4WD, biked to Bannockburn. Not bad for 48 hours.

Thank you to the w**eries who opened their doors, poured their w**es and shared their stories. And to our guests, thanks for making the trip and getting amongst our corner of the world, Central Otago.

Until next time.

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06/08/2026

Sold out in year one. Back for round two. 🍷

This October, PURE POURS returns to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, bringing together over 20 of Central Otago's most exciting producers for roaming tastings across all three cities.

Central Otago is a region shaped by extremes - crisp mountain air, dramatic alpine landscapes, scorching summers and freezing winters. That intensity carries straight into the glass, and it's what's built this region's reputation for Pinot Noir around the world.

Your ticket gets you into the room to taste it all: aromatic whites, textured Chardonnays, méthode traditionnelle sparkling, and the powerful, perfumed Pinot Noirs Central Otago does best.

🍷 Sydney - Saturday 17 October, The International
🍷 Melbourne - Monday 19 October, Victoria by Farmer's Daughters
🍷 Brisbane - Tuesday 20 October, The Lodge, James Street

Tickets on sale now. Link in bio.

Address

100C Gair Avenue
Cromwell
9310

Website

https://www.centralotagowine.co/about-us/contact-us/, https://events.humanitix.com/host/central-otago-wine

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