Felton Road

Felton Road New Zealand is where alpine light meets one of the world’s most expressive Pinot Noirs. Set along the curve of Bannockburn’s Felton Road itself, the winery looks out over slopes of schist and loess that glow gold in the afternoon sun. Central Otago can feel stark at first glance, but this is exactly where Felton Road found its voice.

The first vines went into the ground in 1991. Over time, a biodynamic philosophy shaped everything that followed. You might be wondering, who owns Felton Road Winery? It’s expertly guided by a team whose focus is custodianship rather than showmanship, led by owner Nigel Greening. Felton Road Winery NZ has become one of the region’s most respected names not through scale, but through devotion to terroir.

The heart of the estate is unmistakably Felton Road Pinot Noir. Dark cherry, wild thyme, mineral dust from the Bannockburn soils; it’s all there, quietly honest. The Block wines, especially Block 3 and Block 5, offer deeper structure and a longer arc in the cellar. Even the regional bottling ages confidently, often revealing its most beautiful layers after five to eight years. For collectors, it’s one of the most reliable expressions of Pinot Noir in New Zealand.

The Felton Road Chardonnay shows a different side of Central Otago: white peach, hazelnut, a cool river-stone line that runs straight through the palate. It sits beautifully with butter-poached seafood, chicken roasted with lemon, or simple summer greens.

Riesling adds its own brightness; lime peel, alpine herbs, a gentle sweetness depending on the vintage. These wines cellar well and pair effortlessly with spice-driven dishes.

What makes Felton Road unique? Small cuvées, like the estate’s limited Vin Gris, offer glimpses into a more experimental spirit. They rarely last long and often become quiet collector favourites.

At The Reserve Cellar, every bottle must hold a sense of place. Felton Road New Zealand does exactly that. These wines travel from a remote valley to our cellar because they deserve patience, cool air, and time to unfurl the way great stories do.

And when opened, on a milestone or a quiet evening, they remind us that wine isn’t just flavour. It’s a place you can return to.