Located in Bannockburn, Domain Road Vineyard is very much the new star of Central Otago, using traditional, low intervention winemaking to produce award-winning wines. Owners Graeme and Gillian Crosbie and their families have had a long association with the area. Graeme’s great grandfather built gold dredges up in the Nevis, while Gillian’s mother was a teacher at the local school for a short time. They have owned a house in Bannockburn for 25 years, and holidayed there for many years prior to that. Fascinated by the growth of vineyards and the wines they produced, the pair decided to try their hand at developing their own vineyard when an old apricot orchard in nearby Domain Road was for sale. In 2002, the land was purchased, cleared and planted with Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling grapes. The original 6.5 hectares of vines expanded in 2011 with the addition of another 1 hectare of land adjacent to Felton Road vineyard. This has been planted in Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir grapes.