Gibbston
Gibbston is a community in the Wakatipu Basin in the Otago region of the South Island, New Zealand. Through the valley runs the Kawarau River which forms the Kawarau Gorge.
The most visible aspect of the area are the vineyards and wineries next to SH 6 which form part of the Central Otago wine region. The Gibbston Valley is the coolest and highest of the Central Otago regions with the majority of land gently sloping to the north. This northerly aspect greatly assists vineyards to grow grapes because of increased sunlight and with a reduced possibility of frost, although this still poses a significant threat.
It was voted community of the year in 2011 due to the work on the Gibbston River Trail.[1]
The Gibbston River Trail and the Gibbston Highway Trail are walking/running and cycling trails that give good access to the wineries in the area but also connect to The Queenstown Trail at the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge.
Often Gibbston is incorrectly called Gibbston Valley or Gibbston Flats due to the land being the only flat usable land in the Kawarau Gorge.[2]
Vineyards and wineries in the area
- Brennan Wines
- Chard Farm
- Coal Pit Wines
- Gibbston Highgate Estate
- Gibbston Valley Wines
- Hawkshead
- Kinross
- Mt Edward
- Mt Rosa
- Nevis Bluff
- Peregrine Wines
- Valli Vineyards
- Waitiri Creek Wines
Grape varieties grown in the area include: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.[3] Lesser known (and grown in smaller quantities) are the varieties of Gamay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier.
References
- Edens, John. "National award win celebrated by Gibbston community group". The Southland Times.
- Susan. "A community that has stood the test of time". Queenstown-Lakes » Gibbston » News & Information » Historical. ©Copyright 2013 Local Me. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- "Remarkable success continues for Gibbston Valley". Scoop Business Independent News. Retrieved 1 December 2013.