Felton Road | Central Otago

Felton Road is a Central Otago icon, quietly producing some of the Southern Hemisphere’s most refined expressions of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. Founded on meticulous research by Stewart Elms in 1991, the estate’s north-facing slopes in Bannockburn were identified early on as among the warmest and most promising in the region. With free-draining, low-fertility soils and a continental climate tempered by cool nights, the site was tailor-made for premium winegrowing. In 2000, the estate was purchased by British wine lover Nigel Greening, who has since committed it wholeheartedly to organic and biodynamic farming, with full Demeter and BioGro certification.

Under the guidance of winemaker Blair Walter, Felton Road follows a ‘hands-off’ approach in both vineyard and cellar. The gravity-fed winery, cleverly built into a hillside, allows the fruit to be handled with the utmost care, ensuring purity and balance in every bottle. In the vineyard, careful canopy management and low-intervention practices are key to achieving ripe, healthy grapes with real character. The result is a series of elegant, expressive wines that speak of place, especially the silky, savoury Pinot Noirs that have earned Felton Road an international cult following.