Central Otago's wine industry symbolizes success and its continental climate rivals Europe's best. The region has a long viticultural tradition. French migrant Jean Desire Feraud, who pioneered grape growing and wine production over 100 years ago, left a strong legacy. Today more than 1,000 hectares of grapes flourish in unique growing conditions. The skills of talented winemakers produce quality boutique wines to compete with the country's finest. At 45º south, Central Otago has a climate similar to Burgundy. It enjoys a semi continental climate and experiences greater daily and seasonal extremes of temperature unknown elsewhere in New Zealand. The area’s unique soil types have a marked influence on vine growth, the flavours of the grapes and ultimately the wine. Rockburn»