In the 1860s, Jean Desire Feraud, a French goldminer, arrived at the Dunstan Goldfield. Coming from a family involved in winemaking, he recognized the region's potential for grape cultivation due to its environment and climate.
After earning money from gold mining, he purchased land near Clyde, where he planted vines and became a pioneering viticulturist and winemaker.
Feraud planted over a thousand vines and constructed a stone winery that remains standing today. Despite being ahead of his time, he faced challenges in finding a market for his wines in the country and ended up selling his property and moving to Australia in the 1880s.
The original winery building has been refurbished and is now the tasting room and bar of the new Monte Christo Winery property.
Commercial wine production resumed in the Alexandra Basin in the 1980s, leading to the planting of more vines and the production of vintages.
Many of the pioneering winemakers in the region did not have a background of viticulture but they were driven by a desire for a lifestyle change and took on the challenge. Through hard work, experimentation, setbacks, and perseverance, they embodied the 'can do' spirit that characterizes New Zealand.
Today, there are around 25 vineyards in the Alexandra Basin, offering Pinot Noir, Merlot, Riesling, Sparkling and Rosé.
Most of the cellar doors are 'Ma and Pa' operations, where you get to meet the owner operators of the vineyard and find out why they do what they do.
It is a personal experience in which you learn about the story of the wine you are tasting along with the story about the people who made it.
To experience a taste of the Alexandra Basin, we offer the following tours;
Alexandra Afternoon Wine Tour
Alexandra Full Day Wine Tour
Mixed Basin Wine Tour (this includes visiting a mix of Cromwell and Alexandra Basin Vineyards)
Bespoke Wine Tour (a custom tour created just for you)
Book with us today to experience a true slice of Central Otago, it's hospitality, products and spectacular scenery.
Call: +64 21 226 6514
Email: info@obelisktours.co.nz
