Felton Road

Felton Road is a small, family-owned estate that has become one of the most internationally acclaimed producers of New Zealand ‘Pinot Noir’. All of the winery’s vineyards are located in the prestigious Central Otago region, within the north-facing Elms Bannockburn Vineyard. Since 2000, strict organic and biodynamic viticulture standards have been applied here, ensuring maximum terroir expression and sustainability.

Head winemaker Blair Walter honed his experience with ‘Pinot Noir’ in Oregon (USA) and Burgundy, bringing classical winemaking expertise and meticulous attention to detail to Felton Road. All grapes are harvested exclusively by hand. The winery’s unique three-level gravity-flow design, integrated into a hillside, allows all production processes to be carried out without pumps. Fermentation is done only with indigenous yeasts, and the wines are neither fined nor filtered to preserve their natural flavour and structure.

According to renowned wine critic James Suckling, “If Central Otago could be compared to Côte de Nuits, then Bannockburn would be like Vosne-Romanée, and I can confidently say that Felton Road is comparable to the legendary DRC.”

Wine Style

Felton Road wines stand out for their natural purity, precise structure, and exceptional expression of terroir. They are balanced, elegant, and age-worthy.

• Red wine – predominantly made from ‘Pinot Noir’. Aromas are dominated by red and black berries, floral notes, and spices. On the palate, soft tannins, fresh acidity, and a long-lasting finish prevail. With age, they develop complex earthy, forest floor, and dried fruit nuances.
• White wine – made from ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Riesling’. ‘Chardonnay’ offers minerality, citrus and ripe fruit aromas, and subtle oak influence. ‘Riesling’ is vibrant, fresh, and marked by balance and aromatic purity.