Burgundy
Exchange
A shared story of place, people, and Pinot Noir
Origins
The Burgundy Exchange is a longstanding partnership between Central Otago and Burgundy, connecting two regions through a shared belief in terroir and a deep commitment to Pinot Noir. Links between Burgundy and New Zealand have of course been happening for some time, but our most recent chapter started in 2006, when Burgundian vigneron Sophie Confuron visited Central Otago to speak at the Pinot Noir Celebration. During her time here, she proposed a student exchange, recognising the potential for both regions to learn from one another.
Connecting Otago
Since then, the programme has connected young winegrowers through hands-on experience in each region.
-
Central Otago stagiaires gain insight into Burgundy’s centuries of vineyard classification, tradition, and site-specific thinking.
-
Burgundian participants experience a young, collaborative region with fewer constraints and a spirit of innovation.
This balance has been key to the exchange’s success.
More than an exchange
Beyond the exchange itself, the relationship has shaped tastings, educational initiatives, and ongoing collaboration between the regions. It has also been marked by generosity, from contributions to the restoration of historic Burgundian sites to fundraising efforts in New Zealand following the Christchurch earthquake.
Central Otago’s support of Burgundy’s UNESCO World Heritage bid for the Climats de Bourgogne reflects a deeper connection, a shared understanding that wine is an expression of place, and that this idea has value far beyond any one region.
.jpg)
The exchange today
The Burgundy Exchange is no longer about comparison or validation. Instead, it is a platform for conversation, learning, and mutual respect. What began in Burgundy has found new expression in Central Otago, evolving into a relationship that continues to shape both regions today.