Taking its name from the rugged rock-strewn, burn-scarred landscape of Central Otago, Rockburn produces premium wines of intense varietal characteristics. Nestled on the 45th parallel, it shares a climate that is similar to Burgundy, the great Pinot Noir producing region of the world. Grapes are hand-picked from their Parkburn Vineyard and Gibbston Valley Back Road Vineyard, each site contributing fruit characteristics that reflect their unique terroir. Their wines are then carefully crafted to fully express the complex subtleties available only in New Zealand's one true continental climate.
Rockburn's new cellar door opened to the public in September 2006 for tastings of its broad range of award-winning wines - Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer. Set within a fully-operational winery, it allows visitors to see the sights and smell the aromas of premium wines in production. The winery-cellar door complex is centrally located in Cromwell's Industrial Estate, easily accessible from State Highways 6 and 8. Summer hours: 7 days, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Winter hours: Mon - Fri 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.