Pinot Noir Beneath Mount Aspiring
Wanaka sits at the edge of the Central Otago wine region — the vineyards in the Wanaka area and the nearby Cromwell/Bannockburn basin produce Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Riesling from the same extreme-climate, schist-soil terroir as the Gibbston Valley (near Queenstown) but with a quieter, less touristed cellar-door atmosphere.
The Cromwell/Bannockburn sub-region (approximately 30 minutes from Wanaka) is where many wine critics believe Central Otago’s finest Pinot Noir is made — the warmer, drier conditions and the schist-and-gravel soils produce wines of greater concentration and structure than the cooler Gibbston Valley. Producers like Felton Road, Mt Difficulty, Burn Cottage, and Aurum are among the most acclaimed in the country.
Felton Road — a biodynamic winery widely regarded as New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noir producer. The cellar door is small, intimate, and the wines are exceptional. Booking ahead is recommended.
The wine touring from Wanaka covers both the Wanaka-area producers and the Cromwell/Bannockburn cluster — a half-day or full-day circuit through some of the most dramatically sited vineyards in New Zealand (the vines grow on the schist-covered hillsides above the braided rivers, with the mountains behind).
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Wanaka wine compare to Queenstown/Gibbston?
The grape variety is the same (primarily Pinot Noir) and the terroir is related (Central Otago schist and continental climate). The Cromwell/Bannockburn wines (accessible from Wanaka) are often more concentrated and structured than the Gibbston wines. Felton Road (Bannockburn) is considered by many critics to be the best Pinot Noir producer in New Zealand.
How far is Cromwell/Bannockburn from Wanaka?
Approximately 30 minutes by road. The wine-touring circuit from Wanaka covers the Cromwell basin in a half-day.
Is Wanaka a better wine base than Queenstown?
For wine-focused visitors, arguably yes — the Cromwell/Bannockburn producers (Felton Road, Mt Difficulty, Burn Cottage) are more acclaimed than the Gibbston producers, and the Wanaka cellar-door atmosphere is quieter. Queenstown has the Gibbston Valley’s visitor infrastructure (the cave cellar door, the cheesery, the bike trail) and the broader tourism ecosystem.