‘Mt Difficulty Wines’ is arguably one of New Zealand’s most well recognised and iconic wine brands. The Mt Difficulty story started in the early 90s where the owners of 5 newly planted vineyards in the Bannockburn region of Central Otago decided to work together to make wines under one label. Having some of the oldest vines in the region, the first vintage in 1998 happened to be only a small production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These wines won Gold and Silver medals respectively at the ‘Air New Zealand Wine Awards’ in 1999 and put Mt Difficulty on the map. Flash forward to today and there are now more single vineyard wines, a new label and ‘Mt Difficulty wines’ now span many vineyards all over Central Otago.

Central Otago, located in New Zealand’s South Island, is the world’s most southerly wine region and one of its most striking. Nestled among dramatic mountains and glacial valleys, it is defined by an extreme continental climate: hot, dry summers, cold winters, and large diurnal temperature shifts. These conditions allow grapes to ripen fully while retaining vibrant acidity, giving the wines purity and balance.

The region’s soils are predominantly schist and greywacke-derived alluvial gravels, often low in fertility, which encourage deep root systems and naturally low yields. Combined with the arid climate, this results in concentrated fruit with distinctive regional character.

Pinot Noir dominates plantings, accounting for around three-quarters of production, and has earned Central Otago global acclaim. These wines are typically deeply coloured, with flavours of dark cherry, plum, wild herbs, and fine mineral undertones, supported by silky tannins and lively freshness. Alongside Pinot Noir, aromatic whites such as Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer thrive, offering crisp, expressive wines with notes of citrus, stone fruit, and florals. Chardonnay also performs well, producing elegant, mineral-driven styles.

Together, Central Otago’s wines reflect the region’s rugged landscape and climate: intensely flavoured yet refined, with a distinctive sense of place that has captured international attention.

Pinot Gris is a white grape variety originating from France, where it is most famously grown in Alsace. It is a mutation of Pinot Noir and is also known internationally as Pinot Grigio in Italy, where it is typically made in a lighter, crisper style. Despite its name, the grape has a pinkish-grey skin, which can give wines a slightly golden hue.

Pinot Gris is now grown in many cool to moderate climate regions across the world, including New Zealand, Germany (as Grauburgunder), Oregon, Australia, and increasingly in the UK. The style varies widely depending on the region and winemaking approach - from dry and zesty to rich, off-dry or even late-harvest expressions.

Aromatically, Pinot Gris tends to show notes of pear, apple, peach, and citrus, with hints of honeysuckle, spice, and sometimes a touch of smoke or nuttiness. In Alsace, it can produce full-bodied wines with texture and ageing potential, while Italian Pinot Grigio is typically light and fresh.

Viticulturally, Pinot Gris is an early-ripening variety, but it can be sensitive to disease and rot due to its thin skins and compact bunches. It requires careful canopy management and monitoring to maintain acidity and avoid over-ripeness, particularly in warmer climates.