Felton Road: Crafting Central Otago’s finest wines
It’s September and, in the southern hemisphere, the vineyards are beginning to wake up after winter dormancy. With this in mind, we’re shining the spotlight on Felton Road Winery, found in the heart of New Zealand’s Central Otago. This region is where rugged landscapes meet sun-soaked vineyards, creating the conditions for intense, complex, and opulent luxury New Zealand wines.
Felton Road Winery stands as a benchmark of excellence and innovation. Founded in 1997, the estate has become synonymous with precision, elegance, and a deep commitment to sustainable, biodynamic viticulture, producing single-vineyard wines that express the unique terroir of this extraordinary region.
A modern legacy in a young region
Though Central Otago is one of the youngest wine regions in the world, Felton Road has quickly carved out a reputation for world-class, terroir-driven wine made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Nestled in the Bannockburn sub-region, the estate tends four vineyards – the Elms, Macmuir, Calvert, and Cornish Point – that were identified in 1991 as amongst the warmest and most ideal sites in Central Otago, producing premium wine. The vineyards thrive on schist-based soils, high elevation, and a continental climate with low rainfall – conditions that foster grapes of intense purity and expressive character.
From the outset, Felton Road distinguished itself by embracing organic and biodynamic practices. Since 2002, the estate has cultivated its vineyards using methods that enhance soil health and biodiversity, achieving Demeter certification across all vineyards in 2010. This approach emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the fruit – and the Central Otago wine terroir – to shine in every bottle.
Wines of distinction
Under the guidance of winemaker Blair Walter, Felton Road produces single-vineyard wines that reveal the distinct personality of each plot. Their Pinot Noir is often cited as a regional benchmark, celebrated for its vibrancy, precision, and balance, while Chardonnay and Riesling display elegance, clarity, and expressive aromatics. Felton Road’s wines have garnered international acclaim, earning the winery recognition as New Zealand’s Winery of the Year in 2024 and 2025.
Meanwhile, the vineyards are located just below the 45th parallel, ranking them among the southernmost vineyards globally. The intense sunlight typical of Central Otago results in full ripening and higher alcohol levels than common in the varietals the winery cultivates, beautifully integrated in layers of rich fruit.
Here, we have the pleasure of presenting to you four of Felton Road’s most admired wines. Worth noting are Felton Road's celebrated Block wines, which are produced in such minuscule quantities and in such huge demand that you have to join a waiting list to acquire one!
The wines of Felton Road
Situated in Bannockburn, Felton Road Block 5 is one of the distinguished vineyard blocks on the Felton Road estate. From a north-facing site that absorbs the intense sunlight, typical of Central Otago Pinot Noir, this is a medium-bodied, plump wine with dark-earth and sous-bois aromas, black cherry fruit, and hints of mocha and smoke. Balanced, with a gorgeously dry texture, silky, supple tannins frame a long, softly dusty finish with clove, cinnamon, and cocoa notes.
Hailing from a small sub-plot within the Elms vineyard, Block 3 benefits from a gentle, north-facing slope and silty, calcareous soils. The 2002 Block 3 boasts a luscious sweetness with flavors of raspberry, hints of tobacco, and dried herbs, accompanied by a subtle touch of raw oak. While it shows a touch of youthful reduction, the concentration is impressive. Energetic and expressive, this red showcases the local terroir at its finest.
Crafted from fruit grown in an east-facing biodynamic vineyard immediately north of Block 3, with deep, angular schist soils, the 2008 Block 2 Chardonnay showcases vivid apricot and lemon curd, complemented by green guava, toast, and a trace of chalk dust. It presents a crisp, concentrated profile with a medium body and a delightful satiny texture, culminating in a remarkably long finish.
Crafted from four parcels in Elms and Cornish Point vineyards, the 2023 Bannockburn Chardonnay reflects the varying altitudes and deep schist gravel soils of its origins, resulting in a unique, taut, and focused wine. Showcasing concentrated, ripe white peach, crushed salted nuts, lemon, green apple, and lemongrass, the wine's vibrant acidity plays a crucial role, shaping the finish and enhancing its overall lightness.
Sustainability and innovation
Sustainable winemaking is woven into every aspect of Felton Road’s operations. The estate composts wine lees, uses natural soil preparations, and integrates practices that protect both the vineyard ecosystem and the broader environment. This holistic approach ensures that the land remains healthy for future generations while producing wines of remarkable intensity and finesse.
While proud of its team across the vineyards, winery, tasting room, and distribution, Felton Road also makes a point of giving a shout-out to the resident animals. These include foraging chickens that help vineyard soil health, cattle that contribute to biodynamic preparations, and a cat that has an impressive past as a hunter, named after the MW, Jancis Robinson!
A vision for the future
Though relatively young, Felton Road has already secured its place among the world’s most respected wineries. With a philosophy that combines tradition, innovation, and sustainability, the estate continues to push boundaries, crafting wines that are both true to their origin and celebrated on the global stage.
Feature photo: Felton Road
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