Cromwell’s new walking wine trail offers new wine experience in Central Otago

In Central Otago – New Zealand’s pinot noir heartland – you can stroll the vineyards on a new walking wine tour that visits four premium wine tasting rooms.

Mumbai, October 27, 2017: The 4 Barrels Walking Wine Trail is the latest way to navigate around four of Central Otago’s premium wine tasting rooms.

The new walking wine trail, provides an easy way for wine-lovers to visit four of Central Otago’s top wine producers on foot. The self-paced 8-kilometre loop trail includes Misha’s Vineyard, Aurum Wines, Scott Base and Wooing Tree Vineyard, as well as capturing some wonderful scenery through orchards and around Lake Dunstan.

The 4 Barrels Walking Wine Trail brochure includes an illustrated trail map designed by South American artists Marcelilla Pilla and Leandro Baud, who now live in New Zealand. Credit: Supplied

Central Otago, on New Zealand’s South Island, is famous for its pinot noir as well as producing other varietals with a distinctive taste and the new walking tour is the perfect way to enjoy the range of wines from the region.

The total walking time on the trail is approximately 90 minutes and can be completed in 3.5 hours including tasting stops. At three of the

tasting rooms there are lunch and platters available or the option of bringing one’s own picnic and finding a scenic spot.

“Together we offer an incredibly diverse range of wines which really showcases the depth and diversity of this amazing winegrowing region” said Misha Wilkinson, Director of Misha’s Vineyard.

As well as tasting Central Otago’s famous pinot noir, wine selections include pinot gris, rosé, Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, gewürztraminer, riesling, sparkling and dessert style wines, port, and even a beer option at one of the tasting rooms.

The 4 Barrels Walking Wine Trail brochure includes a uniquely illustrated trail map designed by South American artists Marcelilla Pilla and Leandro Baud, who now live in New Zealand. Walkers are encouraged to visit all four tasting rooms to gain a stamp on the brochure’s passport page in order to enter the quarterly draw to win a mixed case of wine from the participating wineries.

The initiative for this walking wine trail was prompted by the increase in the number of tasting rooms that have opened in close proximity to Cromwell’s town centre as well as the rise in tourism across the region.

Monthly regional tourism estimates from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) show that the Central Otago region was up 9% to NZ$190 million in visitor spending for the year ending June 2017. NZ Winegrowers, the national industry body has partnered with Tourism New Zealand to Cromwell's Aurum Wines in Central Otago is a family run estate that adhere to certified organic practices. Credit: Aurum Wines

further promote wine tourism experiences as international visitor data shows how important wine experiences are to visitors.

Central Otago

Central Otago, in the central South Island, is located further from the sea than anywhere else in New Zealand and has one of the country’s lowest population densities of 1.7 people per square kilometre. Once crowded with gold-rush fortune seekers, the region is less populated today but still characterised by its geography and a different kind of gold – the fine pinot noir wine that is now its number one claim to fame.

Wooing Tree Vineyard's tasting room is a great place to sample exquisite Central Otago wine and enjoy the stunning view. Credit: Wooing Tree

The region is also known as a cycling destination. The multi-day Otago Central Rail Trail is popular with leisure cyclists and two newer trails – the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold cycling and walking trails – have added considerably to the opportunities to explore Central Otago.

Additional Information

Tourism New Zealand markets New Zealand to the world as a visitor destination. In the year ending July 2017, 3.66 million international visitors arrived in New Zealand: an increase of 9.5% on the previous year. International tourism is New Zealand’s largest earner of foreign exchange, pumping over $14.5 billion into the economy and directly employing over 188,000 people. http://ift.tt/X883Lo

Visa procedure: One may forward their application to the TT office in Mumbai or Delhi, which will then be directed to Immigration New Zealand. A visitor visa for New Zealand is processed within 15 working days. http://ift.tt/qxpVlV

Airline connections: Connecting flights to New Zealand are available on Singapore Airlines/Air New Zealand, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines with stop-overs in their respective hubs. New Zealand’s international gateways are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

Domestic services: You can fly between all New Zealand cities and most major towns using domestic air services. Air New Zealand and Jetstar are the main providers. Their services are complemented by regional airlines, charter companies and scenic flight operators.

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