Black Ridge Vineyard

Central Otago is sometimes described as a wine region “on the edge”. Black Ridge, New Zealand’s (and one of the world’s) southernmost winery, is right on the edge of that edge.

You walk down from the car park to the cellar door, a small custom-built room attached to the winery. A furnished outdoor area affords a great view up to the rocky, north-facing hillside dotted with pines, the lower slopes of which are ribbed with rows of gnarled old vines.

It was this rugged spot that ignited the passion of Verdun Burgess and Sue Edwards, who planted the first vines back in 1981.

This distinctive terroir (and its old vines) inevitably produces some distinctive wines. Winemaker Kevin Clark produces Pinot Noir along with four whites, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay and Breidecker. Unusually for Central Otago, a Cabernet Sauvignon is also on offer.

Make sure you taste both the Pinot Noir and Riesling, which are full of personality.