Central Otago

Central Otago's wine industry symbolizes success and its continental climate rivals Europe's best. The region has a long viticultural tradition, and French immigrant Jean Desire Feraud, who pioneered grape-growing and wine production over 100 years ago, left a strong legacy.

Today more than 1,000 hectares of grapes flourish in unique growing conditions. The skills of talented winemakers produce quality boutique wines to compete with the country's finest.

Rockburn

Rockburn takes its name from the rugged, rock-strewn, burn-scarred landscape of Central Otago. The region is renowned for its stunning scenery of rugged mountains and picturesque lakes.

Nestled on the 45th parallel we share a climate that is similar to Burgundy, the great Pinot Noir producing region of the world.

Our vineyards are bounded on the west by mountains on whose seaward slopes are rain forests, which receive 5000mm of rain a year. To the east is a barren, moon-Iike landscape that receives less than 25mm of rain a year. Situated between these extremes are our vineyards that produce not only Pinot Noir of stunning quality (gold medals at New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show, Bragato Awards, Air New Zealand, and Winestate Wine of the Year) , but also medal winning Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer.

All our wines exhibit strong varietal characteristics, highlighted in the white varieties by crisp acids, which are typical of the region. It has also become apparent that like Burgundy there are distinct 'appellations' within Central Otago. One has only to taste a Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir to experience its perfumed nose, typically violets, and earthy, forest floor sensations on the palate. Compare this with a Lowburn/Bannockburn Pinot Noir with its darker colour and fuller, sweeter fruit. For this reason, to fully exploit the potential of the region, it is a distinct advantage to have vineyards in different 'appellations'.

Time Line 1991 - 2006

1991

3 hectare 'hobby' block vineyard established
by Richard Bunton at Lake Hayes near Arrowtown.

1992

The venture expanded to include an 9 hectare
vineyard development in Gibbston Valley.

1998

The Hay's Lake label was launched with the release o
f the first commercial wine. Wines were made by Rudi Bauer at Quartz Reef Winery.

1999

Hay's Lake purchased and established a 33 hectare vineyard
block at Parkburn on the shores of Lake Dunstan.

2002

Hay's Lake was rebranded to Rockburn Central Otago. With the increase in size, it was thought that the brand name should more truly reflect the terroir of the vineyards.

2005

Rockburn employed Malcolm Rees-Francis as the new Winemaker
formerly Assistant Winemaker at Felton Road.

2006

Winery-cellar door complex opened at McNulty Road in Cromwell.

Today

Ninety percent of our vineyard area is now fully developed. When all the sites are in full production, we will have 14,000 cases of wine for sale annually.Our wines are available throughout New Zealand and are exported to the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Southeast Asia and beyond.

Pinot Noir is our major variety by volume and represents 59% of our current plantings. Other varieties include Chardonnay (14%), Riesling (11%), Pinot Gris (8%), Sauvignon Blanc (6%) and Gewurztraminer (2%).