One of the first things you’ll notice when you arrive to Otago on the South Island is The Remarkables—a towering saw-toothed mountain range along the edge of Lake Wakatipu that is one of few in the world that runs directly north to south. These dramatic peaks set a strong tone for a wine country getaway in Central Otago, which is prized for its award-winning wines. “Pinot Noir is by far the most well-known variety here,” Ilias Hamzaoui says, who is the restaurant & bar manager at Rosewood Matakauri.

Central Otago's organic wine movement, spearheaded by Central Otago Winegrowers Association (COWA), has reached an important milestone: 30% of the region's vineyard area is now certified organic, the highest proportion in Aotearoa New Zealand.