Domaine-Thomson Wines Cellar Door

Perched on a hilltop in Central Otago’s picturesque Pisa subregion, just outside Cromwell, Domaine Thomson is as much about diving into the region’s rich past as it is a glass of exceptional Pinot Noir.

Founded by husband-and-wife team David Hall-Jones and PM, the vineyard is steeped in history, inspired by David’s great-great-grandfather John Turnbull Thomson, a pioneering surveyor who mapped Central Otago in the 1850s. Today, many of his maps and early paintings of Queenstown and Wānaka are proudly displayed at the cellar door.

Though David sadly passed in 2024, PM and the team continue to honour his legacy with an unwavering dedication to producing the finest wines possible across two hemispheres: from award-winning Pinot Noir in Central Otago to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Crémant de Bourgogne in Burgundy, France. Their logo brings together a kiwi and a rooster, a symbol of this bicultural harmony. On top of their dedication to quality, all of Domaine Thomson’s vines in New Zealand are farmed organically.

Arriving at the cellar door, a gravel path lined with fragrant lavender guides you through a beautifully landscaped garden towards a rustic tin shed. While the exterior pays homage to the surveyor’s era, inside reveals an elegant, old-world space with chandeliers, herringbone floors, cosy tasting nooks, and panoramic windows overlooking the Cromwell Basin and Lake Dunstan. On summer days, there are plenty of outdoor pockets and picnic tables to enjoy a tasting in the sunshine, while inside spaces include a grand banquet table in the Gallery room and fireside nooks in the Library. Keep an eye out for their beloved Highland cows, Tomette and Taurus who can often be seen roaming the land outside!

Tastings are warm and personal, and the team highly recommends beginning with a guided tasting of their signature Central Otago and Burgundian wines, followed by glass pours or a bottle and a local cheeseboard in one of the sunlit corners.