Today we raise our glasses to the noble Pinot Noir—one of the world’s most loved, most expressive red varietals. And there’s no better place to celebrate International Pinot Noir Day than right here in Central Otago, New Zealand—a region internationally renowned for its vibrant, world-class Pinot Noirs.

What Makes Central Otago Pinot Noir So Special?

Central Otago is the southernmost wine region in the world, with dramatic alpine landscapes, glacial soils, and a unique climate that creates Pinot Noirs of stunning purity and complexity. As NZ Wine Growers notes, Pinot Noir is New Zealand’s premier red variety—and Central Otago leads the charge.

• Cool-climate brilliance: Hot summer days and cool nights deliver vivid fruit, bright acidity, and exceptional balance.

• Terroir diversity: From Gibbston’s delicate florals to Bannockburn’s earthy power, no two subregions are the same.

• Artisan winemaking: Most producers are boutique-scale, with a deep connection to the land and a passion for purity in every bottle.

Celebrating Our Winery Partners – The Icons of Central Otago Pinot Noir

At Alpine Wine Tours, we’re privileged to partner with some of the most exceptional wineries in New Zealand. Today we honour the passionate people behind these unforgettable Pinot Noirs, who share their wines and stories with our guests every single week.

Amisfield

With its striking schist architecture overlooking the serene waters of Lake Hayes, Amisfield stands as one of New Zealand’s most iconic wine destinations. Guests on our tours enjoy the rare opportunity to savour a selection of their exceptional Reserve Pinot Noirs, including the flagship RKV Reserve—a powerful, elegant expression of Central Otago’s finest fruit. This is Pinot tasting at its most refined, framed by world-class scenery and architectural beauty.

Fine Pinot Noir meets lakeside elegance at Amisfield, framed by their iconic schist stonework and Lake Hayes views.

Kinross

Located in the heart of Gibbston, Kinross is not only a boutique winery—it’s a one-of-a-kind tasting destination. As the official cellar door for five world-class wine labels, Kinross offers guests the chance to enjoy some of Central Otago’s best Pinot Noir in one place.

• Valli – Complex, site-specific Pinot Noirs crafted by Grant Taylor, one of New Zealand’s most celebrated winemakers. With decades of winemaking experience across the world, Grant brings global insight to local terroir—each wine a deep, thoughtful expression of its vineyard origin.

• Wild Irishman Wines – Expressive, soulful Pinot Noirs from Alan Brady, the godfather of Gibbston and a founding force behind Central Otago’s modern wine era. Together with winemaker Brian Shaw, they continue this legacy with wines that embody the region’s pioneering spirit—layered with depth, grace, and character.

• Hawkshead – Refined, hand-crafted Pinot Noirs showing vibrant red fruit, delicate spice, and a silky texture. Sustainably grown and small-batch produced, their wines reflect the purity and finesse of Gibbston terroir.

• High Garden Wines – Crafted by Robin Tedder, MW, the only Master of Wine in Central Otago. This high-altitude, single-vineyard Pinot Noir delivers elegant precision and aromatic purity.

• Kinross Wines – A vibrant, fruit-driven Pinot Noir grown on their estate vineyard in Gibbston. Boutique in scale and expressive in style, it captures the purity, texture, and charm of this high-altitude subregion.

Kinross is known for its warm, personal hosting—where guests connect over curated Pinot Noirs from five boutique wine partners.

Gibbston Valley Wines

The founding winery of Central Otago, Gibbston Valley Wines played a pivotal role in putting the region on the global Pinot Noir map. With vineyards stretching across Gibbston, Bendigo, and Pisa, their wines offer a rare opportunity to experience the region’s diverse terroir. Guests on our tours can explore New Zealand’s largest wine cave before tasting their signature Pinot Noirs—vibrant, finely structured, and layered with alpine elegance. A true benchmark of Central Otago winemaking.

Step inside New Zealand’s largest wine cave and taste where Central Otago’s pioneering Pinot story began.

Te Kano Estate

Striking in both architecture and ambition, Te Kano Estate is a modern icon in Bannockburn—where rugged landscapes meet bold, contemporary winemaking. Their Pinot Noirs are elegant yet powerful, shaped by the low-yielding soils and intense sun of Central Otago’s warmest subregion. With layers of dark cherry, spice, and fine tannins, each vintage reflects a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and expressive, site-driven wines that are quickly gaining international acclaim.

Bold architecture meets Bannockburn beauty at Te Kano Estate’s modern cellar door.

Carrick

Set on the sun-drenched terraces of Bannockburn, Carrick is a certified organic and biodynamic winery producing Pinot Noirs with depth, structure, and soul. Their approach is rooted in sustainability and a deep respect for the land, resulting in wines that are both powerful and pure. Carrick’s Pinot Noirs are known for their dark fruit intensity, savoury complexity, and age-worthy elegance—a true reflection of Bannockburn’s bold, mineral-rich landscape.

Rockburn Wines

Rockburn Wines crafts consistently acclaimed Pinot Noirs from vineyards in both Parkburn (Central Otago) and Gibbston, combining the bold fruit of the former with the finesse of the latter. Their wines strike a beautiful balance—rich, dark cherry and plum characters supported by fine tannins and a silky, structured finish. Known for their award-winning consistency and cellar-worthy elegance, Rockburn’s Pinot Noirs are a standout for those who love depth with restraint.

Ready to Explore Central Otago Pinot Noir?

We celebrate Pinot Noir every day on our tours—but today we raise an extra-special glass to the people and places that make this region shine. Whether you’re new to Pinot or a lifelong lover, Alpine Wine Tours invites you to experience the best of Central Otago Pinot Noir with us.

Our beloved Bella the Wine Dog—always ready for cuddles, vineyard strolls, and guest greetings.

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Join the Celebration

Are you toasting with Pinot today? Share your glass with us on Instagram by tagging @alpinewinetoursqueenstown and use the hashtags below to join the International Pinot celebration:

#PinotNoirDay #QueenstownWineTour #CentralOtagoPinot #AlpineWineTours
#GibbstonValley #ValliPinot #WildIrishman #TeKano #CarrickWines
#KinrossWines #RockburnWines #WineLoversNZ

The post International Pinot Noir Day 2025: Celebrate Central Otago’s Signature Grape  first appeared on Alpine Wine Tours Queenstown.