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Olssen's Garden Vineyard

Welcome

About Olssens

Bannockburn, "The Heart of the Desert", was the scene of its own gold rush during the mid to late 1800s, leaving behind the sluicings and tailings that form the stark landscape of today. The new gold is not the yellow metal of yesteryear, nor the sheep that followed, but is now clearly the wines from a myriad of vineyards that clothe the lower north-facing slopes and terraces of this hot dry land. The Olssen wines encapsulate the character of the new gold.

Olssens is nestled amongst the dry thyme covered hills of Bannockburn, where the essence of nature is captured by vines deeply rooted in the rocky, gold-bearing schist soils. We produce a range of 13 different wines, many of which are sold exclusively to cellar door visitors and mail order customers.

In addition to the 10 hectares of vines, thousands of trees, shrubs and bulbs have been planted around sweeping glades of grass and a number of mountain reflecting ponds where visitors are welcome to spread a rug, picnic, relax and enjoy the tranquillity.

How we came to Bannockburn

Olssens of Bannockburn is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of John Olssen and Heather McPherson. Heather was brought up in Central, on Mt Pisa Station and then in Cromwell itself, and John (from Dunedin) spent summer breaks with his family in various places around Central, and then picked fruit at Earnscleugh during school holidays.

So, Central is in our blood, and having travelled around New Zealand and the world, we always wanted to come back, because we love the climate in all of its seasons, and the dramatic ruggedness, peace and isolation of the landscape. A love of the land, of Central Otago, and of wine has shaped our thinking; and careful research - along with some very hard work, has enabled us to pursue a dream and see the beginnings of its realisation.

We are creating a centre of excellence focused on wine tourism, and are dedicated to offering our visitors enjoyable experiences, supported by quality and service.

Early days in the Cromwell basin

In 1987, whilst working in Wellington, two events came together. The pioneering Central Otago wineries (Gibbston Valley, Chard Farm, Rippon, and Blackridge) released their first commercial wines, and John visited a new Martinborough vineyard being developed by friends.

When I walked in the gate and looked around me, I just knew that this was what I wanted to do. Having made that decision it became easier, although not easy. John Cossens, from what was then "MAF TECH", at Invermay, was commissioned to undertake a site suitability analysis of Central Otago for viticulture, and subsequent to inspecting the recommended sites, we purchased our Felton Road property from Allan and Pam Beaton, in 1989.

Bannockburn was exciting, not only because of its viticultural potential, but it also was handily located to gold prospecting and superb trout fishing, and hence the selection was easy, with both activities being especially dear to John's heart, although neither has had much attention since moving here. We were the first of the second wave, and the pioneers of the Cromwell basin. Many have followed since.