Father's Day Gift Guide 2025: Top Pinot Noir From Central Otago, New Zealand

Forbes

2 days ago

A festive dinner party featuring Valli Wine.
When it comes to Father's Day, a bottle of thoughtfully chosen wine never misses. But instead of the usual Cabernet or Scotch, consider something cooler — literally. This year, give the dad in your life a taste of one of the world's most exciting wine regions: Central Otago, New Zealand.
Known for its cool-climate Pinot Noir, Central Otago produces some of the most expressive, age-worthy, and sustainably farmed red wines in the Southern Hemisphere, nay, the world. Whether your dad is a fan of Burgundy, a champion of sustainability, or simply enjoys an earthy, complex red wine with dinner, these six bottles will make you the hero of the holiday.
Here are six top Central Otago Pinot Noirs to gift this Father's Day, selected for their character and sense of place. Next year, dad will be clamoring for the gift of a trip to New Zealand.
One of several Pinot Noirs made by Valli.
Founded in 1998 by pioneering Central Otago winemaker Grant Taylor, Valli was one of the first wineries to bottle Pinot Noir by subregion, highlighting the area's distinct terroirs. Today, the wines are made by Jen Parr, an Oregon-born winemaker with deep ties to New Zealand and a reputation for crafting expressive, site-specific Pinots.
This 2023 release comes from Valli's estate vineyard in Bendigo, Central Otago's warmest and driest subregion. The site's north-facing slopes, low rainfall, and rocky soils yield concentrated, age-worthy wines. The 2023 vintage saw a mild spring followed by a warm, dry summer, producing fruit with good balance and pure flavors. Expect bold dark fruit, spice, and fine tannins in this powerful yet poised Pinot that captures the intensity of the Bendigo landscape.
Wine to Find: Bendigo Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Valli, 2023, $62
The cellar door of Mt Difficulty features stunning views.
Founded in the early 1990s by a small group of Central Otago grape growers, Mt Difficulty played a key role in establishing Bannockburn as one of New Zealand's premier Pinot Noir regions. The winery remains based in this warm, dry corner of Central Otago, where schist soils and long autumns consistently produce richly flavored wines.
The 2022 Bannockburn Pinot Noir shows the signature intensity of the region: dark cherry, Szechuan pepper, and star anise on the nose, with layers of red and blue fruit on the palate. A savory undertone and baking spice carry through to a long, balanced finish. It's a polished, expressive red — ideal for dads who appreciate bold flavor and a sense of place.
Wine to Fine: Bannockburn Pinot Noir, 2022, $57
The Glenlee vineyard shows the elegant, expressive side of Pinot Noir. Bottle shot of an older vintage. Current releases are 2021, 2022, and soon, 2023.
Alan Brady planted the first vines at Gibbston Valley in the early 1980s, pioneering Pinot Noir in Central Otago. By 1987, the winery had released the region's first commercial bottling. One of its standout vineyards today is Glenlee, a north-facing site with stony glacial soils that produce deeply structured fruit.
The 2021 Glenlee Pinot Noir comes from a vintage that started cool and finished warm and dry — a combination that allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly. It opens with blackberry and floral aromatics, followed by red fruit and wild herbs on the palate. The structure is firm but not heavy, and the finish is long, elegant, and precise. A great pick for dad's who prefer a more fragrant, layered Pinot.
Wine to Find: Glenlee Pinot Noir, 2021, $80
One of Central Otago's leading wineries, Felton Road has been a leader in both biodynamic farming and its vision for the region.
Founded in 1991 by Stewart Elms and now owned by Nigel Greening, Felton Road is one of Central Otago's most respected wineries, known for its commitment to organic and biodynamic farming. Winemaker Blair Walter and viticulturist Gareth King have worked together for decades to craft site-expressive Pinot Noir from the Bannockburn subregion.
The MacMuir Vineyard, located just east of Felton Road's original Elms Vineyard, features deep silt soils and high-density plantings. This 2022 release — only the second single-vineyard bottling from MacMuir — opens with a dark, herb-laced nose and restrained, earthy aromatics. On the palate, it shows fine structure and savory detail: chocolate, dried herbs, and layered fruit, all rendered with striking clarity.
Wine to Fine: MacMuir Pinot Noir, 2022, $84 (pre-arrival sale)
A Pinot Noir with dinner at Mount Edward.
Founded in 1997 by Central Otago wine pioneer Alan Brady, Mount Edward is now run by owners John Buchanan and winemaker Duncan Forsyth. Based in the Gibbston Valley, the winery is certified organic and takes a low-intervention approach in both the vineyard and cellar.
The 2022 Pisa Terrace Pinot Noir comes from a high-elevation site in the Pisa subregion, where long autumns and stony soils shape the fruit. This vintage leans savory and floral — think red and black berries, a sprig of wild thyme, and hints of allspice. It's velvety and refined with just enough grip to keep it grounded.
Wine to Find: Pisa Terrace Pinot Noir 2021, $75
Royal Block Quarz Reef, one of the winery's most exceptional Pinot Noirs.
Founded in 1996 by Austrian-born winemaker Rudi Bauer, Quartz Reef is based in the Bendigo subregion of Central Otago and is certified biodynamic. The Royal Series is a limited collection of single-ferment Pinot Noirs from the estate's densely planted vineyard blocks. The 'Anna von Tirol' bottling — now in its fourth release — comes from Block 12, referred to by the winery as the 'Royal Block.'
The 2022 vintage opens with dark cherry, plum, and floral aromatics. The palate is rich and structured, with layered red and black fruits, sweet spice, and a finely textured finish. It's a full-bodied Pinot with both weight and precision — a standout choice for collectors or anyone looking to gift something singular and age-worthy.
Wine to Find: Royal Series 'Anna Von Tirol' Pinot Noir, 2022, $83