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Central Otago.

The wine region at the heart of Te Waipounamu.

Central Dozen 2023: A Comparison of the best Pinot Noirs from Central Otago

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Once a year, an independent jury selects twelve outstanding Pinot Noirs from Central Otago — a cross-section of vintage and region. Falstaff has taken a closer look at the selection and presents the highlights of the Central Dozen 2023.

A Dozen Reasons to Look South

Winepilot

A selection of Central Otago Pinot Noir from 2023

THE CENTRAL DOZEN - 2023 VINTAGE

As the 2024 judging draws near, we're reflecting on the 2023 dozen – a curated case of Central Otago Pinot Noir.

Emma Jenkins MW:
"We blind tasted our way through 75 wines to a shortlist of 18 wines and then after thought-provoking discussion, whittled down the final dozen. Once again, we were keen not just to deliver the ‘shiniest’ wines, or a list of the usual suspects. Instead, we looked for wines that reflected the essence of the 2023 season, a year that highlighted the thrill that Pinot Noir being grown on the edge can bring – tension, minerality, structure, and vivid regional, subregional and site expression. "

The 2023 Central Dozen
• Akarua Pinot Noir
• Amisfield Breakneck Pinot Noir
• Brennan B2 Pinot Noir
• Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir
• Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 5
• Grasshopper Rock Earnscleugh Vineyard Pinot Noir
• Moko Hills Pinot Noir
• Monte Christo Central Otago Pinot Noir
• Peregrine Pinot Noir
• Pyramid Valley Snake’s Tongue Pinot Noir
• Quartz Reef Bendigo Pinot Noir
• Rippon 'Rippon' Mature Vine Pinot Noir

Spanning emerging producers to long-established wineries, with organic and regenerative practices well represented, this dozen reflects the technical and stylistic diversity of Central Otago Pinot Noir. Which ones have you tried? 🍷

Full details available in bio.

#centralotagowine #centraldozen #pinotcentral #pinotnoir

The landscape of Pinot in New Zealand continues to evolve 🍷

As Emma Jenkins notes, "New Zealand Pinot Noir has never been more compelling - it's nuanced, diverse, deeply rooted in place, and increasingly ageworthy."

Decanter’s December issue explored the outlook for the country's Pinot Noir, highlighting the regions shaping its future. Central Otago plays a leading role, yielding nearly 30% of the nation's crop despite covering only 4.9% of its vineyard area.

Across the region, growers and winemakers are shaping the next chapter, crafting wines defined by precision, expression, and longevity - showing the world what we're capable of.

#newzealandpinotnoir #centralotagopinot #pinotcentral

What a way to close out our PURE POURS tour in Australia! 🇦🇺✨

Chin Chin brought the party… and Melbourne brought the love! ❤️

Until next time…

#CentralOtagoWines #ChinChin

PURE POURS takes Brisbane 🍷

Trade by day, wine lovers by night — The Lodge James Street was buzzing with 17 incredible Central Otago wineries sharing their best.

Thanks for showing up, sipping, and supporting. Brisbane really brought the heat! 🔥

A Sunday well spent with the Sydney trade at The Dolphin Hotel 🐬. Great chats, good energy, and a few pure pours shared among friends.

Thanks to everyone who joined us — always a pleasure connecting with the people who make this industry what it is. #pinotcentral #purepours

PURE POURS landed in Sydney bringing 17 wineries, 80+ wines, and 250 tasters ready to sip, chat, and discover their new favourites. The Aussie roadshow is officially underway — and what a start! 🥳🍷

🍷 Last call for PURE POURS 🍷

Introducing the final five wineries bringing a taste of Central Otago to Australia:

✨ Rippon - A unique parcel of land on the shores of Lake Wānaka, farmed by the Mills family across generations for over 100 years.

✨ Rockburn - Taking its name from Central Otago’s wild, rock-strewn landscapes, the wines are as bold and dramatic as the land itself — from zesty whites to exceptional Pinot Noir brimming with personality.

✨ Te Kano – Māori for “the seed.” Committed to regenerating the land, creating wines of layered elegance and sublime natural quality.

✨ Valli – Founded in 1998 by winemaker Grant Taylor to showcase the diversity of Otago’s subregions: Gibbston, Bannockburn, Pisa, Bendigo and the Waitaki Valley.

✨ Wooing Tree – A family-owned vineyard renowned for its Pinot Noir and the ever popular “Blondie.” Pink Moon vineyard spans 17 hectares dedicated to Pinot Noir, alongside smaller plantings of Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer.

Seventeen wineries, 80+ wines, one epic Central Otago tasting festival. 🍇

Melbourne & Brisbane are sold out, but limited tickets remain for Sydney — grab yours via the link in bio!

📍 Sydney | 25 October @ The Wine Bar at The International

Melbourne & Brisbane — you’ve spoken, and tickets are GONE! 🙌🍷

Sydney friends, it’s your turn — tickets are still available! Don’t miss the chance to meet 17 Central Otago producers out in the wild. Speaking of which, it’s about time we introduced the next 4:

✨ Nanny Goat Vineyard – Named after the wild goats that roam the mountainous terrain of Central Otago, reflecting the determination to succeed, adapt, and thrive in the region’s rugged, often extreme climates.

✨ Nockie's Palette – Where fine art meets winemaking. Each bottle is a crafted expression of varietal and terroir, showcasing creativity and precision.

✨ Prophet's Rock – Vineyards in Bendigo’s ancient terraces produce wines that reflect Central Otago’s unique terroir, with low-intervention winemaking and sustainable practices.

✨ Quartz Reef – One of the few New Zealand wineries still hand-riddling and disgorging every bottle. The result? Wines of purity and precision, with a lively streak of Central Otago character that makes them unmistakably Quartz Reef.

@nannygoatvineyard @nockiespalette @prophetsrock @quartzreefwines

📍 Sydney | Saturday 25 October | 1–4pm

Meet the makers, taste the wines, and experience Central Otago in the heart of Sydney — tickets are limited, grab yours before they’re gone! Link in bio.

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Central Otago.

The wine region at the heart of Te Waipounamu.

Central Dozen 2023: A Comparison of the best Pinot Noirs from Central Otago

A Dozen Reasons to Look South

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