Kinross on the outskirts of Queenstown has been judged as having the country's best cellar door experience. The Gibbston Valley winery has taken out the first-ever Qualmark New Zealand Wine Tourism Award. Kinross chief executive Nicky Sygrove says she is proud of her team's efforts to secure such recognition. "Providing a world-class guest experience is at the core of everything we do," she says.

Beyond the bubble of Queenstown, this area offers the kinds of adventures you can truly appreciate only by slowing down.

A Master of Wine shares essential sips from a region that continues to make New Zealand wine globally renowned.
Central Otago Pinot Noir stands alongside Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as New Zealand’s great vinous success story.

Despite being a “younger” wine region — its modern viticultural history dating back to the pioneers of the early 1980s like Alan Brady, Anne Pinckney and the late Rolfe Mill — it has risen rapidly to establish itself internationally as the region for premium NZ pinot noir.

The world’s most southerly commercial vine-growing region, Central Otago produces a pinot noir considered among the finest on earth.

Decanter World Wine Awards 2024 results have been published today (19 June), showing all medal winners in this year’s competition.

‘Picture yourself in the biggest wine shelf of the world, and next to you there are the best wine experts, holding your hand and helping you to make the best decision possible,’ described wine consultant and judge Agnes Csiba Herczeg, encapsulating the significance of Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) results.

Crisp, tangy sauvignon blanc is the wine most often associated with New Zealand, but in the gorgeous Central Otago Valley, on the lower half of Te Waipounamu (the Maori name for the South Island), pinot noir grows to near-perfection. Here are must-visit pinot producers for four types of travelers to the picturesque region.

Following invites from a number of notable Americans who visited Coxs’ Vineyard this past summer, co-owner Simon Cox is about to showcase his premium Gibbston wine in the States.

Felton Road is the Real Review Winery of the Year New Zealand for 2024.

Last year Felton Road was third, in 2022 fifth, in 2021 third, in 2020 fourth, in 2019 third, and in 2018 sixth. In seven years, its lowest ranking was sixth. I cannot think of a more deserving winery occupying the top slot. Well done, proprietor Nigel Greening and chief winemaker Blair Walter.

Over 25 years ago, Doug Cox took a leap of faith. He purchased land in Gibbston and joined a small group of like-minded individuals prepared to try growing Pinot Noir.

Two decades later, Simon Cox and Leah Seifert stepped into his shoes, driven by a shared passion and deep respect for Doug Coxs' legacy. They took over his contract grape-growing business and, with unwavering dedication, laid the foundation of Coxs' Vineyard.

Central Otago wine company Te Kano Estate takes out the Agri-Science award at the Farm Environment Awards. "Guided by a strong vision that places equal importance on life, land, and legacy."

There’s a new kid on the winemaking block in the Alexandra Basin.
Wild Irishman Wines — the former Weaver Estate winery — has begun processing fruit from the 2024 vintage.

The 2024 harvest’s off to a grape start at Gibbston Valley Winery (GVW).
Chief winemaker Christopher Keys says they started picking at the end of last month — it’s the first time in six years they’ve made that call, and just the second time in the 18 years he’s been at GVW they’ve gone so early.