Monte Christo Winery

Hidden away on Springvale Road just outside of Clyde, you’ll find Monte Christo, a winery unlike any other. Opened in late 2023, this remarkable destination is both brand new and steeped in history, with roots reaching all the way back to 1864.

Monte Christo is the birthplace of Central Otago wine. It was here that Frenchman Jean Désiré Féraud planted the region’s very first grapevines, alongside flourishing fruit trees, vegetable gardens and berry bushes. The schist stone winery he built in 1872 still stands proudly today, now home to a beautifully restored cellar door.

The modern revival of Monte Christo is a story in itself. Over 150 years after Féraud’s arrival, Master of Wine Nicholas Paris was visiting from the United States for a family reunion in Central Otago, and was bursting with curiosity to find the historic site he’d read about during his studies. After a series of dead ends, he finally discovered it in the hands of his second cousin and so, the legacy was brought back to life.

Today, the winery’s eight vineyards span three distinctive Central Otago sub-regions: the Alexandra Basin, Bannockburn, and Pisa. Each site is farmed using organic and regenerative methods, with certification from Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand and BioGro either achieved or underway.

Visitors can enjoy the varied collection of wines in the historic winery, or venture underground to a dramatic arched cellar for an atmospheric tour and tasting. In summer, there’s nothing like settling into the garden for an afternoon of delicious plates from Fritzy (the apricot-coloured food trailer), a bottle of wine, and a few rounds of pétanque. Even the wee ones are looked after with a kids’ menu and play area. And if you’re not ready to leave? There are three exquisite guest cottages on site full of character, style, and tastefully luxurious amenities.

At Monte Christo, every detail has been thoughtfully considered, honouring the legacy of the past, celebrating connection in the present, and nurturing the land for generations to come.