Dicey

Tucked into the hillside on Felton Road, one of Aotearoa’s most famous wine stretches, Dicey is a breath of fresh Bannockburn air. Their tasting room is sleek and understated, with large windows framing magnificent vineyard views. There’s no pretence or exclusivity here, just great wine, good chat, and the opportunity to dive into the nerdy details, if that’s your thing.

While the Dicey label is relatively new (launched in 2020), brothers Matt and James Dicey come from a long line of viticulturists. Their father Robin, originally from South Africa, helped shape the Central Otago wine scene in its early days, and now the next generation is doing the same in their own way, with a fresh, fun, and quietly rebellious brand.

The brothers source fruit from three Bannockburn vineyards; Swansong, Black Rabbit, and Inlet, all owned within the family fold. Their goal? To trap a moment in time in every bottle. The resulting single-vineyard wines each carry their own story, shaped by the rugged landscape, extreme climate, and unique quirks of each season. Each year, they hand-pick a few standout barrels from each site and create a special composition, a greatest hits of sorts.

Most notably, Dicey has led the return of cask wine. Hey now, don’t shudder this one’s far different from the 90s experience. Their 2-litre Pinot Noir and Rosé boxes are made from recycled cardboard, taste just as good as the bottled versions, and stay fresh in the fridge for 3–4 weeks. Even better? They’re tackling one of wine’s biggest sustainability issues: packaging. Glass bottles make up around 40% of the industry’s carbon emissions. So by boxing up the good stuff, Dicey is offering a more climate-friendly way to enjoy a glass, without sacrificing quality. Perfect for the bach, a barbecue, or gifting to even your snobbiest wine friend.

Dicey’s tasting room is open daily, with walk-ins welcome (though bookings are necessary for groups of over six). Enjoy your tasting around the glass tasting table, crammed with old news clippings and mementos underneath or sip your wine in the blissful outdoor setting.