To explore NZ's Central Otago wineies is it best to stay in Queenstown and rent a car? Participate in an organized wine tour? Stay closer to the wineries?? We'd be most interested in an upscale quality accomodation and would truly value the suggestions of those who have been there and done that...thank you.

MF

Ahhhh, wine, my favorite subject....

Here's a wine trail map that might help you get your bearings:

http://www.otagowine.com/winetrail/winetrailmap.html

Queenstown makes a great base, as does Wanaka - distances to wineries are not substantial and there many to choose from.

If you plan to visit several wineries in one day, suggest you take a tour so you have a designated driver. It's certainly easy enough to visit on your own (we always do), but you will need a car AND a modicum of restraint.

There's also vineyard accommodation that might interest you; the closer to those grapes the better, as far as I'm concerned.

Melnq8,

Thank you so much for your kind response...we're kind of leaning towards Brown's boutique hotel or Dairy in Queenstown but so greatly value the feedback of those who have gone before us...re: staying in the vineyards, we shall do exactly that on North Island's Hawkes Bay appelation...wondering if you have a recommendation of an Otago wine guide/driver sort...we're not looking for a canned/touristy version of wineries (we call Sonoma County's Alexander Valley wine region home)just an opportunity to get out and experience the best pinots that this famous region has to offer...any feedback is most appreciated (and I'm 110% with you re: necessary restraint while tasting/driving, PARTICULARLY on the wrong side of the road).

sincerely,
MF

Brown's has gotten good reviews on this forum - I don't have any first hand experience with them or Dairy.

Unfortunately, I don't have any personal recommendations for a guide either. We took a wine tour in Blenheim a few years back and had a wonderful guide - there were only four of us on the tour and we had a great time. We've always toured on our own in the QT area though.

I know what you mean about canned tours though - Gibbston Winery near QT seems to cater to the tour buses and our experience there was less than pleasant - very impersonal and too busy (this was in the off season mind you). It seems that the further from QT you get, the better your chances for meeting the winemaker and having a nice chat with the winery employees over a few tastes of wine.

We've visisted some nice wineries in Cromwell, and I suspect not many tour buses make it there.

All I can suggest is that you do a search for tours/guides that cater to small groups and perhaps go further afield than the usual bus crowd.

This company caters to small groups and visits wineries off the beaten path in Central Otago:

http://www.appellationcentral.co.nz/

Melnq8

Good call...thanks so much for that link...looks like they (Apellation Central)provide an opportunity to personalize a wine outing rather than following the masses...appreciate the feedback!

MF

MF-

We enjoyed our stay at Brown's and can highly recommend it. We had a rental car and drove to Gibbston Valley and Kawarau Bungy Bridge one day-- Brown's was convenient to both. I don't know much about the smaller wineries, however.

Liz

Although Queenstown is the home of tourism in Central Otago, the premier vineyards are closer to Cromwell. Clyde is a cute town that has a boutique lodging, Olivers, not far from Cromwell
http://www.olivers.co.nz/

mlgb -

Thanks for posting the link to Oliver's - what an interesting looking place! Have added it to my ever growing list of places I'd like to check out next visit.

WOW! Thanks for the Oliver's info...guess we'll have to decide between it and Brown's (room number 10)...I guess there are worse dilemmas to be had??

Thanks again to ALL respondants

MF

How about Millbrook Resort - just out of Arrowtown