The Food & Drink Heroes of Central Otago

While travelling along the highways and backroads of Central Otago, it’s hard to ignore the region’s stone fruit reputation. Cute and charming roadside stalls crop up every few hundred metres, with crates full of vibrant apricots, plums and peaches inviting passersby to stop, drop a few dollars into the honesty boxes, and take a big bite of juicy fruit. If you have the time, many of the orchards offer pick-your-own fruit experiences, as well as fascinating tours of their fruit-laden site. 

One of the most well-known of the bunch is Jackson Orchards, a local business that has been supplying New Zealand with some of the finest stone fruit since 1969. Their store is located just outside of Cromwell, where visitors can shop seasonal stone fruit in every variety, as well as fresh veg, shelves of preserves, and sweet treats from the real fruit ice cream trailer parked outside. For some extra excitement, travel on the yellow electric bus for a fun and informative 45-minute tour of the orchard (with lots of opportunities to sample the goods straight from the tree during summer).

Central Otago is home to around 140 wineries. While some have come and gone, the first winery that gave the region its wine reputation has recently been rediscovered and restored. 

Monte Christo was founded in 1864 by Jean Désiré Féraud, a Frenchman who successfully sought his fortune during the Central Otago gold rush. He settled into the land and established his homestead in the Alexandra Basin, with a new dream to turn the land’s soil into fruitful vineyards.

After 150 years, Stanley Paris and his family found the original stone winery still standing and serendipitously in the care of Stanley’s second cousin. They restored the site and continue the Monte Christo legacy today, producing estate-grown wines from nearby vineyards. Visitors now enjoy tastings and tours steeped in history, with a child-friendly garden, a pétanque court, “Fritzy” the food trailer serving gourmet delights to complement their wine, and charming guest cottages offering boutique accommodation.

Founded in the early 2000s by PM and the late David Hall-Jones, Domaine Thomson is a family-owned organic wine producer with vineyards in both Central Otago and Burgundy, France.

Just outside of Cromwell, the rustic yet refined cellar door setting invites guests to embark on a wine experience that spans two hemispheres, offering a unique chance to examine award-winning Kiwi and French wines side by side. Book in for a private tasting and enjoy celebrated Pinot Noir wines and Pinot Noir Rosé from Central Otago, complemented by Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay and Crémant de Bourgogne from the winery’s sister vineyards in Burgundy. Add in a cheese platter and panoramic views, and you’ve got yourself a very memorable experience.

Photo by: Will Nelson

Nestled within their lush Northburn vineyard, The Cloudy Bay Shed delivers an exquisite wine-tasting experience set against the backdrop of the region’s stunning landscapes. While this winery first originated in Marlborough in the 1980s, Cloudy Bay expanded to Central Otago and planted the first vines for their Te Wāhi Pinot Noir in 2010. The Shed offers a serene environment where guests can enjoy a selection of Cloudy Bay wines paired with local cuisine. With options to taste indoors or on a terrace overlooking Lake Dunstan, they also host private events, making it an ideal spot for wine enthusiasts and those seeking a relaxing day out.

The Cromwell Heritage Precinct is a must-visit on any Central Otago itinerary, offering a full day of activities along its historic street. Between exploring galleries, learning about heritage buildings, and browsing unique boutiques, there are luckily a couple of great spots to eat and drink too.

Located in Murrell’s Cottage, Pinot Junction is a wine store and eatery that serves excellent coffee, brunch and freshly baked goods (make sure you try the cinnamon scrolls) in the morning, and leisurely lunches paired with interesting local wines as the day goes on. If you’re visiting the precinct on the weekend, wander a few doors down to the Old Cromwell Post & Telegraph Office for a cocktail experience worth writing home about. Open Wednesday to Sunday, Penny Black serves up an exciting list of concoctions and delicious food to sip and snack on in the sunny courtyard or cosy interior.

At this laid-back winery in Bannockburn, organic, wild-fermented wines meet stunning views and culinary experiences to match every occasion – low-key or big. Since 1994, Carrick Winery has focused on sustainability, going fully organic in 2008 and earning certifications from Biogrow and Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.

Whether you’re cycling by or landing in a helicopter, there’s something for everyone. Share gourmet pizzas from the Pedal & Pour trailer and lounge on the lawn with friends and family, or indulge in a more refined meal in their beautiful and contemporary restaurant. With vineyard tours, self-guided wine flights, and even boutique accommodations, Carrick’s got you covered for a chill day out or a longer stay.

Te Kano’s cellar door offers a stunning experience with its lush vine surroundings, breathtaking views of the Kawarau River, and the iconic mountain range. The building, crafted from repurposed shipping containers and sustainable materials, integrates seamlessly with the landscape, reflecting the region's beauty. Guests can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, tasting wines from the delicate Blanc de Noir to the rich Pinot Noir, and create their own picnic from local delicacies. Te Kano places as much focus on crafting exceptional wines as it does caring for its environment, with an extensive Kōwhai regeneration project located on its Northburn vineyard.

Tucked away in an old family orchard just 10 minutes from both Clyde and Alexandra, The Packing Shed has established itself as a culinary destination ever since Bec and Barry opened its doors in 2003. The restaurant offers a luxurious yet relaxed dining experience, with an open kitchen where guests can observe Bec, an accomplished chef who grew up on this very orchard, craft refined and seasonal dishes complemented by a local wine list. With its picturesque grounds and warm hospitality, The Packing Shed has an under-the-radar charm about it that will make you want to keep it all to yourself.

Launched in 2021 by Cromwell brothers Chris and Rob Sangster and chef Miro Kollar, Sanga’s Pies has quickly become a favourite down south. After a quest for the perfect pie led them to create their own, the brothers’ transition from builders to bakers was a resounding success. Sanga’s now handcrafts thousands of pies weekly, supplying over 60 vendors as well as keeping their Cromwell bakery well stocked. Despite its industrial location, the bakery attracts a diverse crowd, from early-morning workers to food enthusiasts travelling long distances for a bite. Sanga’s serves gourmet pies with about 15 inventive flavours daily, using top-notch local and seasonal ingredients, establishing themselves as major contenders in New Zealand’s pie scene.

Housed in an unassuming industrial shed on Boundary Road in Alexandra, Station Brewing is a family-run brewery founded by Grant Radka and Frauke Moritz in 2023. Grant's beer journey took him from homebrewing to honing his craft at a large scale brewery in Samoa and beyond, before returning home to set up his own crafty venture. The brewery offers a selection of Station Brewing’s own beers like the 'Prescription Pils' Pilsner and 'Dinner for Two' Hazy IPA, along with guest taps and a special APA which gives back to a local cause supporting men’s mental health. The relaxed venue also serves bar snacks, baked goods, and house-made pies, with plans to expand into smoked dishes. Station Brewing is a welcoming spot for beer enthusiasts and families alike, featuring games, live music, and a beer garden with a future playground in the works.

Perched on a hilltop overlooking lush vines and mountains stretching across the horizon, Bannockburn Hotel dates back to 1862 – but it’s anything but old school. Taken over by Anna and Andy Mackintosh in 2016, the couple have transformed the site into a modern culinary destination, using premium Central Otago produce to create a tapas menu inspired by their travels throughout Spain. The wine list is one of the key attractions here, featuring over 200 bottles and around 60 wines available by the full or half glass from Central Otago, New Zealand, and notable wine regions around the globe.