Central Otago, Sicily
Central Otago is the southernmost wine growing region in the world, located at a latitude of 45 degrees south, on New Zealand’s south island. A spectacular landscape makes the region one of the most scenic wine regions if not in the world then certainly in New Zealand. Central to the region is the tourist destination of Queenstown, which is a great base to make wine trips from.
Heavy mineral deposits in silt loams are typical for the soils in Central Otago, but is unlike any other region in New Zealand. The Otago region is the countries only ‘continental’ wine growing region.
Pinot Noir is the flagship red varietal, which is very well suited to the regions large diurnal shifts (a large diurnal shift means a big difference between low and high temperatures) and also the regions long, cool and dry autumn. The Pinot Noirs coming out of the Otago region are most often fragrant, lush Pinot Noirs with silky textures and true fruit intensity.
Aromatic whites also thrive, in particular Riesling where anything from bone-dry to very sweet can be made. Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and lesser amounts of Chardonnay is also made to a very high quality. Central Otago is in Jancis Robinson’s top five New World wine producing regions.
According to Greek legend, the god of wine Dionysus was the first to have planted a vineyard in Sicily; kick-starting the viticulture of the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It's one of the biggest wine producing regions in Italy with Veneto and Emilio Romagna the only two Italian regions that produce more. In all, the island has an impressive 134,000 hectares under vine although this area is shrinking year by year. This region produces a wide range of wines, both table and dessert wines and the grapes most famously grown there are the Nero d’Avola and Catorrato varietals. Nerello Mascalese is used to make the Etna Rosso DOC wine from the volcanic Mt Etna and Frappato is a the main grape of the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG.
Sicily is blessed with the most favorable climate. The summers are hot and it hardly rains, and the winters are not that cold and frost is rare. The Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing wine grapes as the coastal winds drying out grapes overnight. Because of the warm and relatively dry climate, there are less risk of rot and mildew among the grapes, so chemical sprays are rarely used. The soil of Sicily is rocky and enriched with minerals that absorb the heat during the day and release it at night, which helps the grape vines maintain an even temperature while the air around it gets cooler.
Heavy mineral deposits in silt loams are typical for the soils in Central Otago, but is unlike any other region in New Zealand. The Otago region is the countries only ‘continental’ wine growing region.
Pinot Noir is the flagship red varietal, which is very well suited to the regions large diurnal shifts (a large diurnal shift means a big difference between low and high temperatures) and also the regions long, cool and dry autumn. The Pinot Noirs coming out of the Otago region are most often fragrant, lush Pinot Noirs with silky textures and true fruit intensity.
Aromatic whites also thrive, in particular Riesling where anything from bone-dry to very sweet can be made. Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and lesser amounts of Chardonnay is also made to a very high quality. Central Otago is in Jancis Robinson’s top five New World wine producing regions.
According to Greek legend, the god of wine Dionysus was the first to have planted a vineyard in Sicily; kick-starting the viticulture of the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It's one of the biggest wine producing regions in Italy with Veneto and Emilio Romagna the only two Italian regions that produce more. In all, the island has an impressive 134,000 hectares under vine although this area is shrinking year by year. This region produces a wide range of wines, both table and dessert wines and the grapes most famously grown there are the Nero d’Avola and Catorrato varietals. Nerello Mascalese is used to make the Etna Rosso DOC wine from the volcanic Mt Etna and Frappato is a the main grape of the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG.
Sicily is blessed with the most favorable climate. The summers are hot and it hardly rains, and the winters are not that cold and frost is rare. The Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing wine grapes as the coastal winds drying out grapes overnight. Because of the warm and relatively dry climate, there are less risk of rot and mildew among the grapes, so chemical sprays are rarely used. The soil of Sicily is rocky and enriched with minerals that absorb the heat during the day and release it at night, which helps the grape vines maintain an even temperature while the air around it gets cooler.
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Hand-picked, organic grapes from the historic vines in Marsala and Salemi in western Sicily. Packed with rich aromatics of jammy berries, wild tomatoes, dried herbs and sultanas. Dense, red berries, plum and cheery flavours with mouth-filing tannins are lifted with ... Learn MoreLamura Nero D'Avola 2017$18.00 Per itemOut of stock -
"In the Book of Tobias, an ancient Hebrew text, Asmodeus is the Demon of Lust. It is said that when Cain killed Abel, Adam and Eve separated for 130 years. During this time, Adam was tempted by Naamah and Lillith, two ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Asmodeus' Nero D'Avola Sicilia 2019$21.99 Per item -
"In the Book of Tobias, an ancient Hebrew text, Asmodeus is the Demon of Lust. It is said that when Cain killed Abel, Adam and Eve separated for 130 years. During this time, Adam was tempted by Naamah and Lillith, two ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Asmodeus' Nero D'Avola Sicilia 2018$21.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Soil type is brown clay over limestone. The grapes were handpicked: Zibibbo in mid-August and early September for the Syrah. The Zibibbo was pressed and kept very cold halting fermentation in tank. When the Syrah came in it was quickly ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Raphael' Rosato Sicilia 2018$21.99 Per item -
"In the Book of Tobias, an ancient Hebrew text, Asmodeus is the Demon of Lust. It is said that when Cain killed Abel, Adam and Eve separated for 130 years. During this time, Adam was tempted by Naamah and Lillith, two ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Asmodeus' Nero D'Avola Sicilia 2017$21.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Aromatic cherry and blueberry on the nose, which leads into a full fleshy palate of plums, prunes and blackberries entwined with a soft coating of tannin. Fruit was sourced from an 9 year old vineyard on northern aspect from the province ... Learn MoreBabo Nero D'Avola 2017$23.99 Per item -
Made by Alberto Antonini who was named in the TOP 5 best winemakers in the world by Decanter Magazine. Carefully selected grapes coming from central Sicily are used to create this perfect mid-week red. Notes of violet, cherry and plum with ... Learn MoreBorgo Selene Nero D'Avola Sicilia 2019$24.99 Per item -
The grapes for this wine come from the vineyards in Central Otago’s Cromwell basin. This wine displays delicious very ripe Pinot Gris aromatics reminiscent of a fruit cocktail full of rock melon, pineapple and stonefruit nice detail is added ... Learn MoreMt Difficulty 'Roaring Meg' Pinot Gris 2020$24.99 Per item -
Made by Alberto Antonini who was named in the TOP 5 best winemakers in the world by Decanter Magazine. Carefully selected grapes coming from central Sicily are used to create this perfect mid-week red. Notes of violet, cherry and plum with ... Learn MoreBorgo Selene Nero D'Avola Sicilia 2018$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The grapes for this wine come from the vineyards in Central Otago’s Cromwell basin. This wine displays delicious very ripe Pinot Gris aromatics reminiscent of a fruit cocktail full of rock melon, pineapple and stonefruit nice detail is added ... Learn MoreMt Difficulty 'Roaring Meg' Pinot Gris 2019$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Devil’s Staircase wines are inspired by the winding road leading from Queenstown to Kingston along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Sourced from several Central Otago vineyards, the Devil’s Staircase Pinot Noir has aromas of black Doris plums, blueberries ... Learn MoreRockburn Devil'S Staircase Pinot Noir 2018$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Made by Alberto Antonini who was named in the TOP 5 best winemakers in the world by Decanter Magazine. Carefully selected grapes coming from central Sicily are used to create this perfect mid-week red. Notes of violet, cherry and plum with ... Learn MoreOut of stock -
The grapes for this wine come from the vineyards in Central Otago’s Cromwell basin. This wine displays delicious very ripe Pinot Gris aromatics reminiscent of a fruit cocktail full of rock melon, pineapple and stonefruit nice detail is added ... Learn MoreMt Difficulty 'Roaring Meg' Pinot Gris 2018$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Inspired by the winding road leading from Queenstown to Kingston along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and sourced from Rockburn’s Central Otago vineyards, the Devil’s Staircase Pinot Gris takes the willing down into the realm of decadence and ... Learn MoreRockburn Devil'S Staircase Pinot Gris 2020$26.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Devil’s Staircase wines are inspired by the winding road leading from Queenstown to Kingston along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Sourced from several Central Otago vineyards, the Devil’s Staircase Pinot Noir has aromas of black Doris plums, blueberries ... Learn MoreRockburn Devil'S Staircase Pinot Noir 2019$26.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Floral and pear aromas with fig and date dried fruits leading to nice nutty notes in the background. The fresh pear and floral flavours highlight a lively and textured mid palate, before a dry saline tone brings back the nutty ... Learn MoreChard Farm Pinot Gris 2019$28.00 Per item -
“An early bottling in a traditional ‘nouveau’ style. It is terrific to see so clearly, the flavours of two of our oldest and most favourite vineyards without the overlay of extended oak ageing and complex winemaking. We like to enjoy ... Learn MoreAkarua Pinot Noir 'Rouge' 2020$28.99 Per itemOut of stock -
“An early bottling in a traditional ‘nouveau’ style. It is terrific to see so clearly, the flavours of two of our oldest and most favourite vineyards without the overlay of extended oak ageing and complex winemaking. We like to enjoy ... Learn MoreAkarua Pinot Noir 'Rouge' 2019$28.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Well balanced and aged Reserve Pinot Noir from Central Otago ... Learn MoreAnthem Reserve Pinot Noir 2009$29.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The nose is dense and intriguing, with layered black and blue berry fruits, toasted spice, cola and an ethereal floral lift. The palate is velvety and plush up front, brimming with wild berry fruits, currants, lightly roasted coffee beans and ... Learn MoreNanny Goat Pinot Noir 2020$32.99 Per item -
The nose is dense and intriguing, with layered black and blue berry fruits, toasted spice, cola and an ethereal floral lift. The palate is velvety and plush up front, brimming with wild berry fruits, currants, lightly roasted coffee beans and ... Learn MoreNanny Goat Pinot Noir 2019$32.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Far from a sold-out rarity, as is often the case with heavily awarded wines; RUA Pinot Noir is widely available in NZ and beloved by Kiwis who describe it as their ‘go to’ and ‘everyday’ wine. ... Learn MoreAkarua 'Rua' Pinot Noir 2017$34.99 Per itemOut of stock -
This unique Blanc de Noir was made from 100% Pinot noir grapes, grown on our family owned vineyard. Ripe hand picked fruit and gentle winemaking have given a wonderfully balanced wine. The elegant champagne colour resulted from minimal skin contact prior ... Learn MoreWooing Tree Blondie 2020$36.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Exuding elegance & finesse. Pale yellow with a bouquet of green apple and hints of lime and brioche. On the palate, this is flirtatious and moreish. Enhanced by an invigorating cool, creamy acidity. Focused, cool and crisp with beautiful balance and ... Learn MoreQuartz Reef Methode Traditionelle Nv$36.00 Per item -
This unique Blanc de Noir was made from 100% Pinot noir grapes, grown on our family owned vineyard. Ripe hand picked fruit and gentle winemaking have given a wonderfully balanced wine. The elegant champagne colour resulted from minimal skin contact prior ... Learn MoreWooing Tree The Blondie 2019$39.00 Per itemOut of stock -
It gets the same meticulous treatment in the vineyard as our top Pinot Noir, and our yields are extremely low, creating a concentrated expression of our unique site. Averaging only 300 cases per vintage, our Dry Riesling is a rare find. ... Learn MoreProphet'S Rock Dry Riesling 2019$39.00 Per item -
Such a popular Pinot Noir every year, we often think it must be the best value you can find in Central Otago. The 2020 Maude is sourced from Central Otago’s premium sub regions, each contributing to this savoury, complex Pinot ... Learn MoreMaude Pinot Noir 2020$39.99 Per item -
Such a popular Pinot Noir every year, we often think it must be the best value you can find in Central Otago. The 2018 Maude is sourced from Central Otago’s premium sub regions, each contributing to this savoury, complex Pinot ... Learn MoreMaude Pinot Noir 2019$39.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Graci, Sicily. Alberto Aiello Graci has been making wine on Sicily's Mount Etna since 2004, the year he returned from his apprenticeship as a Milan banker, picking up the baton with 5 hectares of family land, 2 hectares of which is vineyards (the ... Learn MoreGraci Etna Rosato Mount Etna Doc Sicily 2019$39.99 Per item -
Light straw yellow with intense green reflections. Pleasant hints of grapefruit, white peach and herbs, mark the nose of this wine which shows its true identity on the palate with a pleasant flavor and freshness complemented by an extraordinary minerality; ... Learn MoreTornatore Mt Etna Bianco 2018$39.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Graci, SicilyAlberto Aiello Graci has been making wine on Sicily's Mount Etna since 2004, the year he returned from his apprenticeship as a Milan banker, picking up the baton with 5 hectares of family land, 2 hectares of which is vineyards (the rest ... Learn MoreGraci Etna Rosato Mount Etna Doc Sicily 2018$39.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Such a popular Pinot Noir every year, we often think it must be the best value you can find in Central Otago. The 2018 Maude is sourced from Central Otago’s premium sub regions, each contributing to this savoury, complex Pinot ... Learn MoreMaude Pinot Noir 2018$39.99 Per itemOut of stock -
A wonderful expression of Central Otago Pinot Noir. A luscious and fruit focussed Pinot Noir with great flavour and lovely soft tannin. The grapes for this wine was grown in the Bendigo (43%), Pisa (29%), and Gibbston (28%) sub-regions of Central Otago. The ... Learn MorePeregrine Saddleback Pinot Noir 2018$40.00 Per item -
COS Rami Bianco is a fabulous orange wine from the very southern end of Italy. Produced so near to Africa that the flavours jump out through the architecture and the vegetation: vineyards and olive, almond, and carob groves. This beautiful ... Learn MoreCos 'Rami' 2020$41.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Devil’s Staircase wines are inspired by the winding road leading from Queenstown to Kingston along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Sourced from several Central Otago vineyards, the Devil’s Staircase Pinot Noir has aromas of black Doris plums, blueberries ... Learn MoreRockburn Pinot Noir 2019$41.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Pungent, fruity pinot gris with ripe pear, quince and subtle honeysuckle flavours, with a drying backbone of fine tannins and vibrant acidity. - Bob Campbell Founded in 1999 by Paul Pujol, the two stunning vineyards that combine to make Prophet's Rock's ... Learn MoreProphet's Rock Pinot Gris 2019$41.99 Per item -
50-50 blend of Inzolia and Grecanico, 26 days of skin contact , fermented in concrete vats . The Ramì is golden in colour , with a lovely aroma of cactus figs , dried apricots and dried herbs . 2018 was a sensational summer with very low yields , ... Learn MoreCos 'Rami' 2019$41.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape to cultivate that grows best in cooler climates, hence the growing reputation for quality in the Central Otago region. Our terroir produces fruit that is intensely coloured and brimming with flavour. This fruit ... Learn MoreNevis Bluff Pinot Noir 2015$43.99 Per itemOut of stock -
A light to medium-bodied Pinot Noir with ripe plum, raspberry and dark cherry flavours. Focused, fresh and soft-textured wine with an easy appeal. ... Learn MoreFreeland Wines Pinot Noir 2009$44.99 Per itemOut of stock -
COS produces some of the finest wines on the island from native grape varieties. This is predominantly Frappato with a splash of Nero d'Avola. ... Learn MoreCos 'Frappato' 2017$44.99 Per itemOut of stock
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