McArthur Ridge
Around 1870 James McArthur arrived in the Waikerikeri Valley and settled at the end of what is now known as McArthur Road in Strathclyde, on the outskirts of Alexandra. At that time and in fact until the 1990s the land bordering the farm was like a desert, it was then that a source of water was found and the dream of a vineyard became a reality.
Located in the heart of the mountainous New Zealand Central Otago region, McArthur Ridge is dedicated to producing outstanding Pinot Noirs. The first plantings were 15 Hectares in 2002 followed by 72 Hectares in 2003 and a further 73 Hectares in 2004. The final 15 Hectares were planted in 2007. The first vintage was produced in 2006. While the production is large only a small percentage of carefully selected, handpicked grapes finish up in the hands of the Winemaker for the McArthur Ridge Label.
The Central Otago region is a land of stunning contrasts: barren challenging landscapes defined by snowy alpine peaks, broad rivers and deep, clear lakes.
The vineyards are sited on an elevated plateau, planted across a set of gentle northern slopes to capture maximum warmth.
Set at altitude, the Alexandra basin is the southernmost Pinot Noir producing area in the world, the cool climate [-12.5 degrees], infertile soils and hot [42 degrees] but short-lived summers of Central Otago provide a pristine evironment for winegrowing, especially Pinot Noir.
One of the youngest and most exciting of the world’s pinot noir regions, Central Otago has set an impressive standard and it is from here that you are brought McArthur Ridge.