We all know Pinot Noir is THE red variety of Central Otago, but the team at Rock Ferry prove that the region is capable of more. And they’ve nailed it with their Tempranillo. It’s plush and dark fruited with plums, dark cherry, clove and christmas cake aromatics. It’s rich, soft and densely flavoured in the mouth. The Trig Hill vineyard is named after an old survey site in Bendigo. This north facing slope soaks up that intense Central Otago summer sun. While it’d be a stretch to call the region the Rioja of the southern hemisphere, it does show it’s clearly capable of producing great reds other than Pinot Noir.

Husband and wife team Tom Hutchison and Fiona Harvey established Rock Ferry having been contract grape growers in Marlborough. They have 4 vineyards, 3 in Marlborough and 1 in Bendigo, Central Otago, all of which are certified organic. Winemaking is in the hands of Allan McWilliams and Jordan Hogg.