As part of the Central Otago Spring Release event, the four wine writers present—Jane Skilton MW, John Saker, Dave Brookes and myself—were treated to a masterclass with four of the region’s pre-eminent winemakers.

Blair Walter of Felton Road, Rudi Bauer of Quartz Reef, Claire Mulholland of Burn Cottage and Sarah-Kate Dineen of Maude Wines each presented two vintages of one of the their top pinot noirs, spaced 10 years apart to provide the context for conversation about where the region came from, how it has changed/matured and where it is going.