Established in 1864 by Jean Désiré Féraud, Monte Christo is the birthplace of Central Otago wine. The wines are made with 100% estate-grown fruit sourced from our vineyards across three distinct sub-regions, the Alexandra Basin, Bannockburn and Pisa. Utilising sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention methods in the winery, the outcome is elegant, refined, and impeccably balanced wines epitomising the terroir of Central Otago.
Winery notes (2024 Vintage)
"A beautifully aromatic Pinot Noir with bergamot, bay leaf, fresh plum and cinnamon notes, and a firm yet elegant structure.
Known affectionately as “Central” by locals, Central Otago is a dramatic and rugged landscape on New Zealand’s South Island, revered worldwide for producing exceptional Pinot Noir. In the early 1860s, gold was discovered along the region’s waterways, and in 1864, our founder J.D. Féraud planted some of the first grapevines and produced the first wines at Monte Christo—laying the foundations for what is now a globally celebrated wine region. Sourced from our estate vineyards in the Alexandra and Cromwell Basins, CENTRAL captures the quintessential character of Central Otago Pinot Noir—vibrant, pure fruited, and finely structured. It’s a modern expression of place and a tribute to the pioneering spirit that defines the region."
5 Stars & 94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, August 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"Pristine and elegantly expressed, the bouquet shows Black Doris plum, sweet cherry, floral, warm spice, and toasted almond notes, followed by a silky-smooth palate that's beautifully rounded and flowing. Splendidly structured by polished tannins, making it harmonious and persistent. At its best: now to 2032."
92/100 Cameron Douglas MS, September 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"A mix of dark berries and Doris plum, layers of fruit and wood spice with a touch of smoke and clove. Dry, taut, varietal, Black currant, dark cherry, some mineral and earth-stone. Well made, firm youthful tannins, plenty of polish, there’s a distinctive backbone of acidity adding power and length on the palate. Ready to drink from late 2026 through 2031+."