Many of us dream of going to France for the ultimate vineyard experience. However, Monte Christo Winery provides Alexandra with a taste of France in their backyard.

Nestled in the picturesque Central Otago surrounds, Monte Christo features all the mod cons. An impressive underground cellar, bespoke accommodation and delicious food create an unforgettable vineyard and cellar door experience. 

Like all things in Central Otago, 2 degrees of separation connected the Paris family to the site of Monte Christo. Nicholas Paris was keen to find Monte Christo, a historical winery he’d read about in his studies. He and his father Stanley, who grew up in Central Otago, set off in search of the estate, without success. Proprietor Stanley Paris later discovered that the Monte Christo property was in the stewardship of his second cousin. 

The Paris family (Stanley Paris, Alan Paris, Catherine Paris, Nicolas Paris)

From there, an ambitious restoration project brought a new lease of life to the grounds to honour the original roots of Monte Christo and its founder Jean Désiré Féraud who is said to be the founding father of wine in Central Otago. 

The restored stone building

The original stone building has been tastefully restored to create a hub for an intricately curated wine-tasting experience. 

Monte Christo caters for all wine lovers with a carefully crafted selection of wines with unique Central Otago flavours. Their light, fruity Rosé is a stand-out perfect for those warmer summer days.

Monte Christo caters for lovers of all different types of wine

One of the standout features of Monte Christo is their beautifully crafted underground wine cellar. 

Built as an homage to the undergound cellars in the Old World, especially France, where the founder J.D. Féraud originated, the cellar is one of only a few found in the greater Central Otago region.   

With plans to open in March, this versatile space will be used to host intimate private tastings, tours, and events, including a winemaker's lunch in early May to celebrate the end of the harvest season.

The wine cellar provides a taste of France in the heart of Central Otago

Visitors can enjoy a flight of Monte Christo's uniquely Central Otago wines in the Cellar Door, or book a private seated wine tasting experience with a dedicated host, while learning about the vineyard's history.

The staff's dedication to storytelling shines through while visiting Monte Christo. You’ll no doubt leave feeling enriched with the area's history, wines and the people who started it all. 

For visitors looking for a more immersive experience, Monte Christo is in the process of making a truly exceptional education experience through the development of their on-site wine production winery. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about all the ins and outs of winemaking from people with world class knowledge in the field.  

Find us on The Central App under EatlDrink. Monte Christo Winery and Stay Monte Christo Winery