Domaine Thomson winery has made its presence felt as a leading Central Otago wine producer during the past 25 years and is celebrating the landmark occasion with the launch of an exclusive French champagne.

“We bought the vines in the Aube region of France in 2022, grown by the same family for generations, with the purpose of having our own label champagne,” says owner P M Hall-Jones. “The Aube is a less well known area in Champagne but is becoming better known for interesting small family owned houses producing what is often called “grower Champagne”. While it has taken some time to get the necessary approvals we are delighted to have the go ahead to label our vintage as a champagne.”

P M and her late husband David Hall-Jones shared a vision to create a two hemisphere wine business which they achieved with their organic Lowburn vineyard in Central Otago and vineyards  in Burgundy, both areas producing distinctive wines reflecting the southern and northern hemispheres’ terroirs.

The champagne has been named J. T. Thomson after John Turnbull Thomson who was David’s great-great-grandfather and the inspiration for the Domaine Thomson brand.

“Thomson was an early surveyor and surveyed and named many of the ranges and peaks in the region,” she says. “He was also a prolific artist and many of his maps, sketches and paintings are featured in our cellar door.”

The exterior of the cellar door is a charming, rustic building modelled on an original pioneer’s cottage and the interiors make reference to Domaine Thomson’s French connections, exuding warmth and authenticity. Well established on its natural platform above the vineyard it has panoramic views across Cromwell Basin to Lake Dunstan.

“It is a stunning place to sit and relax either outside in the idyllic garden or in the elegant interior and sample our Central Otago and French wines. Our signatures wines from both sites are available for tasting and we have recently added our Aspiring label which is a Blanc de Noir made from specially picked Pinot Noir grapes,” says P M. “This is attracting significant interest and we  also expect a good following for our champagne, which is an exciting mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes and available at the cellar door in early 2026.”

Cellar Door Calls

Domaine Thomson’s cellar door in Lowburn is close to Wanaka and Cromwell accessed from State Highway 6 and an easy one-hour drive from Queenstown.

“It is so accessible and we encourage local residents and visitors to make the time this summer to visit our vineyard and cellar door,” says owner P M Hall-Jones. “ The outstanding views of our  vineyard backdropped by spectacular mountain ranges invite visitors to linger over a glass of wine while sampling our platters of French cheeses.”

“Whatever wines people are drawn to every glass has a story reflecting its heritage, terroir and craftsmanship. They embody everything Domaine Thomson stands for and our cellar door is more than just a stopover – it is a place to unwind, reconnect and discover the Central Otago region’s timeless beauty.”