Queenstown Wineries and a Wine Journey to Waitaki
Updated: Oct 26
After exploring Queenstown wineries and Central Otago Pinot Noir, the journey over the Lindis Pass opens another chapter in South Island wine. Clos Ostler lies near Duntroon in the Waitaki Valley, where a north-facing limestone vineyard offers a distinct North Otago expression of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
For guests arriving through Queenstown, this changing landscape is part of the pleasure of coming to Clos Ostler. The vineyard lies near Duntroon in North Otago, above a river system carrying glacial waters from Aoraki. By the time the limestone slopes come into view, the journey has given the valley a scale that a map alone cannot convey.
Choosing the best Queenstown wineries for your journey
The best winery itinerary from Queenstown depends on the time you have and the experience you want. A local tasting day can focus on Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston, with guided tours and cycling options described by Destination Queenstown. A longer South Island journey creates room to continue through Central Otago and over the Lindis Pass into the Waitaki Valley.
Clos Ostler is near Duntroon in the Waitaki Valley, North Otago. Include the estate as a separate destination in a wider itinerary, allowing time for the journey and a vineyard stay. Our limestone slope offers another perspective on southern Pinot Noir and Chardonnay after exploring the vineyards around Queenstown.
A local tasting day or a longer vineyard stay
For a day based in Queenstown, choose cellar doors whose locations and appointment arrangements fit your transport plans. For a longer journey, reserve accommodation in the Waitaki Valley and enquire ahead about a private tasting at Clos Ostler. Estate tasting visits are by appointment; confirm availability before setting out. Check the linked NZTA journey planner for current road conditions when planning the Lindis Pass crossing.
Across the Lindis Pass
The route through Cromwell and Tarras follows State Highway 8 over the Lindis Pass to Ōmarama. From there, State Highway 83 leads down the Waitaki Valley through Otematata and Kurow towards Duntroon. It is a route to build into a wider itinerary, with time for the landscape and an overnight stay.
There is pleasure in allowing a day for the journey, with stops along the way and an evening waiting at the vineyard. The NZTA journey planner below provides current road conditions for the Lindis Pass.
Lakes and limestone
Around Ōmarama, the braided Ahuriri brings the high country into the journey. Farther down the valley lie Benmore and Aviemore, their broad waters held between dry hills. The Ahuriri joins the wider Waitaki system at Benmore; waters from the Aoraki catchment arrive through Lake Pūkaki and the connected waterways. These distinct headwaters gather into the river that continues towards the sea.
At Duntroon, the Vanished World Centre introduces the whales, dolphins and penguins preserved in the region’s stone. Nearby Anatini takes the story outdoors, where part of a whale skeleton remains held in the limestone.
Arriving at Clos Ostler
The vineyard occupies a north-facing limestone escarpment near Duntroon. Scallop shells remain embedded in the boulders of its enclosing wall, while the view opens across the Waitaki Valley. Pinot Noir is the principal planting, with Chardonnay and Pinot Gris offering further expressions of the site.
The Vineyard Suites offer a private place to settle above the vines. Accommodation and enquiries about tasting at the estate are available through the suites page, bringing the journey to a close within the vineyard itself.
At the Vineyard Suites, the journey settles into a closer view of the landscape. There are vines below the private deck, hills beyond, and time to watch the light change across the valley. A bottle of Clos Ostler on arrival connects the evening to the rows outside. After the pass, the braided rivers and the lakes, the shells embedded in the vineyard wall preserve the trace of an ancient sea, held in a single stone.
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