Carrick Winery

Perched on the sun-drenched slopes of the Bannockburn sub-region, Carrick Winery offers a quintessential Central Otago wine experience. With sweeping views of the Cromwell basin and the distant Pisa Range, this family-owned estate is as much about the landscape as the liquid in your glass. The cellar door, housed in a rustic stone and timber building, invites you to sample their acclaimed Pinot Noir, aromatic Rieslings, and elegant Chardonnays while soaking up the serene vineyard setting.

Highlights & What to See

• Wine Tasting: Sip through a flight of estate-grown wines, with knowledgeable staff guiding you through the nuances of each vintage.
• Vineyard Views: Wander among the vines and take in the dramatic backdrop of the Carrick Range – perfect for a slow afternoon.
• Platter Dining: Pair your wine with a locally sourced cheese and charcuterie platter on the terrace, overlooking the rows of trellised grapes.
• Bannockburn Sluicings: A short drive away, explore the historic gold-mining landscape with its eerie, eroded schist tors.

Suggested Time to Spend

Set aside 1–2 hours for a relaxed tasting and platter. If you’re a wine enthusiast, you could easily linger for a full afternoon, especially if you combine a visit with a walk through the nearby Bannockburn heritage area. Carrick is best enjoyed as a leisurely stop on a self-drive wine trail, not a rushed pit stop.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Bannockburn: Just 5 minutes away, this historic gold-rush town offers the Bannockburn Sluicings walking track and several other cellar doors.
• Cromwell: 15 minutes north, Cromwell’s Old Town has heritage buildings, a lakeside promenade, and the Cromwell Farmers Market (Saturdays).
• Queenstown: A 45-minute drive west, Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand, with bungee jumping, jet boating, and the iconic Skyline Gondola.
• Wanaka: 50 minutes north, Wanaka is a lakeside town with a more relaxed vibe, known for Puzzling World and the Rob Roy Glacier track.

Please check official sources for current details.