From its cinematic name to its long history of winemaking, Monte Christo Winery has earnt the title of oldest winery in both Central Otago and the South Island of New Zealand, even if it is a relatively unknown tale. But new winery tours are set to change that, as of this month, April 2026.
The low down is that Monte Christo's winemaking began in 1864 when Jean Désiré Féraud planted the first 200 vines on the property, which were producing wine by 1867 and winning awards by 1881. Sadly, the original stone winery building was destroyed by a storm in 1871 but rebuilt in 1872 and this structure still stands - and operates - as the winery building today.
It's a bit Bill Bryson-esque in terms of being a short history rather than a long one but this being New Zealand (a young country), it's a significant timeframe nonetheless.
Fast forward to 2023 and the old winery site was given a new lease of life by the Paris family, headed up by Master of Wine Nicholas Paris. Its official reopening was in late 2023. I didn't attend but I have cycled the Otago Central Rail Trail, the newest leg of which begins near to Monte Christo in the beautiful historic town of Clyde.
Take a tour
This month, the winery announced plans for new wine tours to its underground cellar and barrel ageing room. Visitors will be able to do all those wine-nerdy things that writers like yours truly get a privileged insight into regularly - such things as tasting barrel samples, learning about winemaking practices in situ. These include fining, filtration and bottling, which all take place on site and may sound a lot like business as usual for non wine nerds but for those who want to know more and understand the process, this is a great place to start.
“We take people behind the scenes to demonstrate the process of winemaking from grape to bottle,” he says.
The tours everything from the arrival of grapes at the winery after they've been picked to their destemming, fermentation, pressing and ageing processes.
What to taste - the Pinots of Monte Christo
There are four different Pinot Noirs made from three different parts of Otago, each wine reflecting the wider region with explicit stylistic differences. All are made solely from estate grown grapes, which means the winery is entirely reliant on its own vineyards, which span 22 hectares across the Alexandra Basin, Bannockburn and Pisa sub-regions of Central Otago where harvest typically takes place from late March to early April.
2024 Monte Christo Alexandra Pinot Noir RRP $90
As the driest regions in the country, Alexandra is also one of the coolest areas where grapes are grown. Frost is an ever present risk and delicate wines are the result of these precarious conditions. This is an exceptional example with all the attributes of cool climate viticulture on its side; from fresh high acidity and a taut structure driving the framework of red fruit aromas (cherries, raspberries and notes of redcurrant) and a note of spice interwoven into this medium bodied wine. All grapes were hand picked, fermented with wild yeasts and aged in French oak, 29% new. Total production was 162 cases.
2024 Monte Christo Pisa RRP $90
Pisa is a rising region within Central Otago, growing a strong reputation for complexity in taste and structure, thanks to its elevated vineyard sites bringing warmth to wines made here and, conversely, cool nights retaining freshness and acidity. Hand picked grapes were given wild yeast fermentation with 27% whole clusters bringing richness and sturdy structure to this young wine, which has a purity of silkiness in texture and taste. Aromas of dark cherries, spice and cedar all intermingle, underpinned by firm tannins. Youthful now, it will age and evolve well over at least five to six years.
2024 Monte Christo Bannockburn RRP $90
Rounded, full bodied and approachable, this plump Pinot Noir has smooth, warm toasted aromas of almonds and a hint of spice. Wild yeast fermentation and ageing for 10 months in French oak (29%) new brings a softness to the wine, which is made from hand picked grapes with 10% whole clusters in the fermentation and a long skin contact time of about (overall) 25 days. Three clones of Pinot were used in this wine: clones 5, 115 and 114.
Attractive, fleshy and full, it drinks well now and can further age for least three to four years.
17.5/20
2024 Monte Christo Central Otago Pinot Noir RRP $75
Medium bodied and bursting with red fruit aromas of cherry, raspberry and cranberries, this wine is a blend of delicious blend of grapes grown on seven different vineyards across three different areas in Otago. The delicacy of Alexandra brings light fresh red fruit aromas while the riper elegance of Pisa adds depth of red plum flavours to the mid palate and the full bodied beauty of Bannockburn adds weight across the palate.
Monte Christo Winery also makes Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Rosé.
Find out more about educational tastings, winery tours and sub-regional Pinot Noir experiences at Monte Christo.
Monte Christo Winery is at 100 Springvale Road, Clyde, Central Otago montechristowinery.co.nz
