Our Central Otago Wines: Alpine Elegance and Exceptional Pinot Noir

Located in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, Central Otago is the southernmost wine region in the world.

Surrounded by mountains and blessed with a rare
continental climate, it experiences sunny days and icy nights, the perfect combination to express the finesse of Pinot Noir.

Its schist and loam soils lend structure and minerality, while the pure air and intense light give the wines their unmistakable clarity and brilliance.

Grapes & Style of Central Otago Wines

• Pinot Noir: the region’s undisputed emblem, known for its
  balance between ripe fruit (cherry, plum, raspberry) and floral elegance.
  Often compared to Burgundy, yet distinguished by its more generous, sun-kissed aromatic intensity.
• Chardonnay: fresh and precise, with a creamy yet taut
  texture, a perfect expression of high-altitude vineyards.
• A few winemakers also craft Riesling and Pinot Gris, in a pure and vibrant style.

Our Featured Producers: Nanny Goat & Burn Cottage

At Vinodelice, we’ve selected two emblematic producers who embody the soul of Central Otago:

🍇 Nanny Goat Vineyard

Located in the Queensberry Valley, Nanny Goat crafts high-altitude Pinot Noirs that are both luscious and precise.

Their range extends from the Pinot Noir 2022, juicy and accessible, to the Super Nanny Goat 2021, more structured and deep - not forgetting the elegant Queensberry Chardonnay 2022.

🌙 Burn Cottage Vineyard

An icon of Lowburn, Burn Cottage is a biodynamic estate revered by wine lovers and critics alike.

Its Pinots (“Moonlight Race”, “Burn Cottage Vineyard”) reveal the full finesse and depth of the terroir, with silky texture and
delicate tannins.

Their style captures the serene grandeur of Central Otago.

Food Pairings: When the Mountains Meet the Table

• Pinot Noir from Central Otago → perfect with duck breast, grilled lamb, mushrooms, or forest risottos.
• Chardonnay → sublime with fine fish, white meats, or aged
  cheeses.
• Both wines also shine with lightly spiced Asian dishes (Peking duck, yakitori, dim sum).

Why Choose a Central Otago Wine?

Because these wines combine the intensity of the New World with the precision of the Old World.

They are expressive yet refined, captivating both Burgundy lovers and curious explorers seeking new sensations.

Each bottle is an invitation to travel to the far south, where mountains, wind, and light sculpt wines of breathtaking purity.

🧠 FAQ – Central Otago Wines

Why is Central Otago Pinot Noir so renowned?
Because it strikes a unique balance between aromatic intensity and elegance.

The continental climate, with its warm days and cool nights, allows for slow, even ripening, resulting in deep, fresh, and complex wines.

The outcome: a silky, radiant Pinot Noir often compared to Burgundy’s finest, yet with a more vibrant and sunlit personality.

What makes Central Otago’s terroir special?
As the world’s southernmost wine region, nestled among mountains and glacial lakes, Its schist soils, intense sunlight, and pure air produce wines of remarkable purity and tension.

Altitude provides natural freshness, maintaining the perfect balance between acidity and richness.

How does Central Otago Pinot Noir differ from Burgundy?
Burgundy Pinots Noirs tend to be more earthy and floral, with a linear structure.

Central Otago’s versions are more generous and expressive, marked by black cherry, raspberry, and soft spice.

Both share elegance but New Zealand’s terroir adds an extra touch of light and energy.

How does Central Otago differ from Marlborough?
Two complementary faces of New Zealand wine:

• Marlborough, also located on the South Island but further north, enjoys a cool maritime climate. Its wines (especially Sauvignon Blanc) are characterized by freshness, vibrancy, and citrus aromas.
• Central Otago, further south and at higher altitude, has a continental climate. It produces deep, velvety, and concentrated Pinot Noirs, as well as elegant Chardonnays.

👉 In short: Marlborough shines with oceanic freshness, Central Otago with alpine depth.

What food pairs best with Central Otago wines?
Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with roasted meats, duck, mushrooms, or soft cheeses.

The region’s Chardonnay, precise and vibrant, is a perfect match for fine fish, poultry, creamy risottos, and lightly spiced dishes.

Who are the key producers of Central Otago?
At Vinodelice, we showcase two major names:

• Nanny Goat Vineyard: the Queensberry benchmark for accessible yet elegant Pinot Noirs.
• Burn Cottage – the cult biodynamic estate of Lowburn, celebrated for depth and purity.

Two distinct expressions, united by precision and emotion.

Where can I buy Central Otago wine?
At Vinodelice.com, discover a carefully curated selection of
Central Otago wines from iconic Pinot Noirs to high-altitude Chardonnays.

Our bottles are cellared in optimal conditions and delivered anywhere in France, bringing the best of New Zealand wine straight to your door.

If Central Otago embodies mountain majesty, other New Zealand wine regions celebrate ocean freshness and gentle plains. From Marlborough to Martinborough, let yourself be carried away by our complete collection of New Zealand wines, a journey across one of the world’s most fascinating terroirs.