Climate
Central Otago has a semi arid inland maritime climate. At the vineyard we average approximately 470mm of rain pa spread reasonably evenly throughout the year. We have 4 distinct seasons:
Winter - cool temperatures between -5 and 10 degrees C. Sometimes foggy, June is the coolest and driest month.
Spring - damaging NW winds are moderated by our location in the gorge. Hence we get good growth and healthy leaves. It has also meant the soils haven't been stripped of their precious fine soil particles. Spring air frost are usually drained into the large Kawarau river and replaced warmer air flowing from the gorge. Approximately 1 in 10 years there is a very damaging spring frost. The last one being spring 2012. Then about 1 in 3 to 5 years there is minor damage.
Summer - is generally warm to hot most daily maximums are between 25 and 35 degrees C and nights below 15 degrees C. Although January is the wettest month, it is also the hottest. At this time soils dry out and irrigation is required.
Autumn - is generally dry with cool nights, leaving plenty of good days for picking
Winter - cool temperatures between -5 and 10 degrees C. Sometimes foggy, June is the coolest and driest month.
Spring - damaging NW winds are moderated by our location in the gorge. Hence we get good growth and healthy leaves. It has also meant the soils haven't been stripped of their precious fine soil particles. Spring air frost are usually drained into the large Kawarau river and replaced warmer air flowing from the gorge. Approximately 1 in 10 years there is a very damaging spring frost. The last one being spring 2012. Then about 1 in 3 to 5 years there is minor damage.
Summer - is generally warm to hot most daily maximums are between 25 and 35 degrees C and nights below 15 degrees C. Although January is the wettest month, it is also the hottest. At this time soils dry out and irrigation is required.
Autumn - is generally dry with cool nights, leaving plenty of good days for picking
