Central Otago’s Domaine Thomson winery has been profiled by the prestigious Vogue Magazine in its review of the best wine tasting destinations in New Zealand – an accolade which is expected to have  positive spinoffs among wine enthusiasts internationally.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be included,” says owner P M Hall-Jones. “ The magazine made a mystery visit to the winery and notes that Central Otago and Burgundy where we make our wines are often compared as they are so close in latitude. Visitors are encouraged by Vogue to stop in for a tasting of both our New Zealand and French Burgundy wines at our Lowburn cellar door.”

The original vision for Domaine Thomson, established by P M and her late husband David Hall-Jones, was to be a specialist in Pinot Noir in Central Otago and Burgundy and it still holds firm as they celebrate the 25^th anniversary of planting the first Pinot Noir grapes at their 14-hectare Lowburn site in 2000.

In 2013 Domaine Thomson acquired a small parcel of Pinot Noir vines in Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy and later added to their collection of vines in France with vineyards in Saint-Aubin and Mercurey. The  Central Otago vineyard also produces Chardonnay and was fully certified as an organic producer from 2017.

“To celebrate our 25-year milestone we will release a special vintage from some newly acquired vines in France reinforcing our original ‘one vision two hemispheres’ dream,” says P M.

Bygone Era

Domaine Thomson’s cellar door is inspired by Central Otago architecture in the mid-19^th century encountered by its namesake John Turnbull Thomson aka Surveyor Thomson.

“Thomson was my husband David Hall-Jones’ great-great-grandfather who was responsible for exploring and mapping Central Otago in the 1850s,” says owner P M Hall-Jones. “It was fitting to name the winery after him sitting as it does below the below the Pisa and St Bathans ranges which he personally named.”

Designed by architects Noel Lane and Tom Rowe of Rowe Baetens the  cellar door has panoramic views across the vineyard and Cromwell Basin to Lake Dunstan. 

“It has the outer appearance of a rustic New Zealand woolshed and features corrugated iron which was the common material used. However, the interior has old world French references which are a reminder of our connection with Burgundy.”

P M says tasting signature Central Otago and Burgundy Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay wines at the cellar door is a rare opportunity and sets Domaine Thomson apart.

“Winter is a perfect time to enjoy our wines in our beautiful cellar door setting. We also serve authentic French cheese platters which adds a further epicurean experience to the wine tasting.”

The cellar door is an ideal venue for private events and functions.

“We encourage people to hold business and board meetings here and the cellar door is available for any number of different events such as concerts and even yoga retreats.”

Domaine Thomson’s limited release Aspiring Pinot Noir and Aspiring Blanc de Noir wines feature the last label designed by the late David-Hall Jones and highlight a painting of Mount Aspiring by his great-great-grandfather John Turnbull Thomson.