Wine Tours

Mt Michael Lodge offers guests an exclusive EV (electric vehicle) wine tour that is not open to the general public. Tours will visit up to 4 local vineyards plus 1 lunch venue of your choice as the last destination on your tour. The duration of the wine tour is 2.0 to 2.5 hours or where lunch is selected, a pick up and return to Mt Michael Lodge by specific arrangement.

Private Wine Tour

Mt Michael Lodge are pleased to offer their guests an exclusive wine tasting and culinary experience. You will be chauffer driven by the owners to a selection of vineyards that over a 2-hour period culminating, if you so elect, in a lunch at one of our top vineyard restaurants.

To assist you in planning your itinerary we have selected a number of options in the area, that our experience both personally and from prior guests, which we believe are good examples of the wines made in the region and at the same time provide diversity in style and varieties.

Domaine Thomson

A quintessential Central Otago experience with a French twist. Domaine Thomson are all about your enjoyment, comfort and amazing spaces in which you can try incredible wines from their 14 hectare certified organic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyard here in Cromwell – and some comparative wines from their vineyard in Burgundy, France.

Quarts Reef

This vineyard vinifies wines of outstanding flavour and intensity from their 30 hectares vineyard at Bendigo. Producing both Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, Rudi Bauer has a reputation of excellence for his Methode Traditionelle sparkling wines. The vineyard has full organic & biodynamic certification.

Mt Difficulty

The largest grape grower in the region producing wine from a wide range of varietals. The diversity of wines from this vineyards provides wine tasters with lost of opportunity to enjoy red and with wines that have been developed in a cold climate south of the 45th Parallel. The tasting list is extensive including Noble and Syrah wines.

Carrick Winery & Vineyard

Committed to crafting small production, estate-grown, certified organic wines that speak of our unique home in Bannockburn, Central Otago. Twenty-four hectares of vines are nestled around the winery. Produce an excellent range of Rieslings, cold climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Cloudy Bay

This winery holds considerable international acclaim. The Central Otago vineyards have complementary terroirs. Calvert, in Bannockburn, has loamy, silty soils and gentle slopes that produce wines with fine tannins and silky textures. Northburn’s rocky, glacial soils and extreme slopes produce wines of structure and intensity. Blending grapes from the two contrasting sites gives the Te Wahi Pinot Noir its poise and power.

Matt Connell Wines

Matt Connell Wines was born from a desire to find, and work with, parcels of fruit that we believe are incredibly special to Central Otago. They develop wines that are different by design and showcase special growers, sites and stories and exude richness of flavour, complexity, and balance. Since establishment in 2016 his wines are regularly awarded 5 star reviews and medals at wine competitions. Hi Rendition Pinot Noir was Champion Wine of Show and Champion Pinot Noir Trophy at the prestigious New Zealand International Wine Show. He has been recognised as an outstanding winemaker.

Te Kano Estate

A stunning location and beautifully appointed tasting rooms located in Felton Road overlooking the Kawarau River. A new 105 Ha vineyard that is located at Northburn adds to the resources of the Bannockburn vineyards. Showcases a range of Chardonnay, Rose’ and Pinot Noir wines.

Mt Michael Vineyard

While the historic vineyard from 2004 to 2016 surrounds the Mt Michael Lodge, the label sources excellent fruit from around the region to produce the Mountainair Range of wines. The full range of central Otago wines are produced under the label and proved excellent value for money. The wines continue to be successful in New Zealand International Wine shows this range gives a real value for money selection of both red and wines. Library wine from the Lowburn Vineyard can be purchased by guests during the stay.

Misha’s Vineyard

Misha’s vineyard sits on the slopes of Mt Dunstan above Lake Dunstan, but the tasting rooms are off vineyard. Producing a range of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Rose’ and Pinot Noir. Recently their Gris was selected by Air New Zealand for business class service on its international flights. Misha’s continues to build on its past history and is producing some solid wines that are value for money.

Central Otago Vineyards

Central Otago is the southernmost wine region in the world and covers over 10,000 square kilometres. It is the most inland region of New Zealand. What makes this region unique is its landscape, the glaciated soils laid down over 1 million years ago, its low rainfall (300mm to 600mm), and a diurnal range of 20 degrees Celsius during summer.

While the first vines were planted here in 1879 by goldminers and a successful wine made from the vintage, the region had to wait until the late 1970’s to see vineyards start to flourish. Today we have over 80 vineyards, with an average size of 1.8 hectares. The predominant grape varietal is Pinot Noir (78%) with the balance being cold climate Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. The region has 6 significant sub regions that impart distinct characteristics to the varietals that are grown in each sub-region.

Wine Tours

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