All of the main winegrowing sub-regions lie within close reach, with the distinctive mountainous terrain providing each with a unique climate, aspect and altitude. The extreme climate requires careful site selection for vineyards, which in turn encourages winemaking with an increased focus on sub-regional expression.

Bannockburn is the warmest and driest sub-region, producing rich, structured Pinot Noir with deep concentration. The schist-based soils provide excellent drainage, enhancing flavour intensity.

Gibbston Valley, by contrast, is the coolest and highest sub-region, where vineyards sit on steep, rocky slopes. Soils are shallow, rocky schist, which retain warmth, and wines have a typical light, floral style.

Bendigo is the hottest sub-region, with north-facing slopes and schist-loess soils producing full-bodied, dark-fruited Pinot Noir.

Alexandra is the southerly sub-region, the climate is dry, winters are cold, summers are hot, and there are extreme temperature shifts right up to harvest, which leads to vividly varietal, aromatic, finely structured wines.
The Cromwell Basin is Central Otago’s wine production hub, with warm, sunny conditions and glacially influenced soils. Pinot Noir here is balanced, fruit-forward, and refined.

About 80km north of Queenstown, Wanaka is the smallest and most scenic, of the sub-regions. It’s cooler and slightly wetter than the rest of the region, and Lake Wanaka provides welcome reflected radiation and mitigates frost producing delicate and vivid wines.