During the summer months in the Waitaki there’s always an extra crackle of adventure in the air. You can open your door and take to the roads less travelled with the feeling that anything is possible. And this being wine country, at the end of each day it’s imperative you can sip back, relax, and enjoy the taste of the Waitaki. There’s so many flavours here vying to be your new favourite we’re a must visit destination for wine aficionados.

The development into Viticulture within the North Otago and Waitaki Wine region is a unique success story and you’ll want to visit those with cellar doors—there’s more than one—to sample the delicate tones and unique wine style born from the arid climate and limestone rich soils. The Waitaki Valley wine region is famous for producing varieties like pinot noir, pinot gris, and Riesling. The wineries are famous because they’re good.

To make your grape trek to the Waitaki as smooth as possible we’ve listed the best wine experiences in the district:

Savour an afternoon at River-T Winery

River T November 2020 with people Cindy Mottelet 2 e1638311347883

Treat yourself, your friends, your parents or your partner in wine to a long, lazy afternoon at River-T Winery where there’s a crystal clear focus on quality from the paddock to the glass. Just 5km from Kurow, River-T Winery is a tranquil spot complete with cellar door that overlooks the boutique vineyard, Station Peak hills and the Saint Mary mountain range. We recommend a glass of the Chardonnay “Two Brothers” 2019 with a large platter to share. Expect not to move for some time.

Sip after your Cycle Journey on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

A2O Sailors Cutting With People Cindy Mottelet 13 e1638311709623

Why is it wine always tastes better at the end of a wonderfully exhausting day? The sort of day when you get up and conquer worlds—or at least get amongst the outdoors. Follow the cyclist’s siren call and bike the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. You’ll feel like you’re occupying space in postcard after postcard, with each section providing different thrills, vistas, and secrets you can’t see from the road in a car. The Otematata to Kurow section will leave you almost at the doorstep of Ostler Wines cellar door, The Vintner’s Drop. Here, you can sample award-winning wines, including Ostler Caroline’s Pinot Noir 2018, and learn more about winemaking in the region. You’ll be on cloud wine!

Sunbathe by the water with your favourite wine

Waitaki Spring Shoot 2020 10 of 146 e1638311945635

Imagine a glass of golden bubbles in one hand, picnic basket in the other. Q Wines was one of the first wineries to be developed in North Otago so when you pack a bottle, or a case of bottles, reach for Q Wines to aid your exploration of the Waitaki. You can’t go wrong with their Waitaki Valley Rosé or Pinot Noir.

You could spread a picnic lakeside at Ōhau, Aviemore, and Benmore, and dip your toes in. Or mix it up and take your basket to anyone of the key Geosites that make up the Waitaki Whitestone Aspiring Global Geopark. Millions of years ago, Anatini was at the bottom of the sea, and now the curious limestone outcrops and caves that remain make the perfect locale for a picnic, 400 metres above sea level. Pop down to Koekohe Beach, peppered with the mysterious must-see Moeraki boulders, to sample a balanced bottle of Q.

Don’t make a pour decision regarding your summer holidays, head to the Waitaki for the adult wine and dine vacation you’ve been dreaming of. However you like your wine, there’ll be a glass—and an adventure—waiting for you!