In the heart of New Zealand’s famous wine-growing region Central Otago, you’ll find the Ruru Wines vineyard. This Dutch winery of Ronald and Lucienne has been producing high-quality wines for about 12 years, with a unique twist. Are you in the area of Clyde? Then I definitely recommend doing a delicious wine tasting here. You are not only received very friendly by Ronald and Lucienne, but you also enjoy their delicious wines. For 10 NZD per person (about €6,-) you already have a tasting and of course you can take a (cold) bottle home afterwards.
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The special story of Ruru Wines (Immigrant’s Vineyard) is back to see on Grand Designs New Zealand
Did you know that Ronald and Lucienne built their beautiful house including tasting room themselves with their son? This is all captured by Grand Designs New Zealand. Ronald and Lucienne write the following about it themselves:
“Ronald and I have always dreamed of building our own house. When we bought our vineyard in Alexandra, there were no buildings on the property. We first lived in a caravan while we built a garage, to which we added a one-bedroom studio. When our son Michiel became a contractor, we decided it was time. Ronald designed the house, inspired by our European building styles, he also included the famous Otago slate. To make things more interesting, he went to work himself placing all the slate. The whole project took a little more than 18 months to complete, with Michiel living on the property with us. Michiel’s partner Lauren also lived with us for a while. While I took care of the vineyard and produced our beautiful Ruru wines, the project became a real family affair. We loved the project, we loved working with the Grand Design NZ team, and we love that everything is professionally documented and can be shared with you.”
Ronald & Lucienne (Ruru Wines)
What kinds of wines can you taste at Ruru Wines?
You can taste a great diversity of wines. Whether you are a fan of white wines, red wines or prefer a rosé. There is plenty of choice! The following wines are made by Ruru:
- Ruru Pinot Noir
- Ruru Pinot Gris
- Ruru Rosé
- Ruru Chardonnay
- Ruru Gewürztraminer
- Ruru Merlot
- Ruru Riesling
During the tasting, you have the opportunity to taste them nicely. After a delicious 2 hours sitting in the sun, we went home with a bottle of Pinot Gris (in the Netherlands better known as Pinot Grigio). This was clearly our personal favorite!
Working on the vineyard of Ruru Wines as a backpacker?
Lucienne indicated that in the past they regularly had backpackers working on the vineyards. Especially in the high season when the grapes need to be picked (the end of the New Zealand summer) extra hands are very welcome. Since Corona they had little traffic. So if you are interested, you can always send them a message. 😉
Where to find Ruru Wines?
Type the following address into your navigation: 10 Airport Road, Bridge Hill, Alexandra 9391, New Zealand. Of course you can also find them via Google Maps.
Why is Central Otago famous for their wines?
Central Otago is famous for their wines due to the unique terroir and climate. The area is located in the south of New Zealand. The climate there is continental, with dry, warm summers and cold winters. The soil is rich in minerals, including slate.
These conditions are perfect for growing Pinot Noir, a grape variety known for its delicate aromas and flavor. The Pinot Noir wines from Central Otago are praised for their finesse, elegance and complexity. They are often compared to the best Pinot Noir wines in the world, such as those from Burgundy in France.
In addition to Pinot Noir, other grape varieties are also grown in Central Otago, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. These wines are also of high quality and appreciated by wine lovers all over the world.
Central Otago is a popular tourist destination for wine lovers. The area houses more than 100 wineries that offer tours and tastings. The vineyards are beautifully located in the rugged landscape of Otago.
In short, are you in the area of Clyde. Make sure to make a stopover at Ronald and Lucienne. You not only taste a delicious wine there, but you can also chat in Dutch with a local for a bit. We are enthusiastic!
Cozy overnight stay in Central Otago in the village of Clyde
During our stay in Otago we slept in the nearby village of Clyde. Here you will find the, for the region famous, Olivers Central Otago Lodge & Stables. If you really want to stay in a cozy way, then this is absolutely a highlight of your vacation in New Zealand. Not only are you received very hospitable and personally, you also have the feeling as if you are going back in time here, in a good way. Funny enough, Olivers Central Otago is also featured in the video of Ruru Wines. It has the same building style as Ruru Wines has.
Another bonus tip: make your stay at Olivers Central Otago complete by going to eat at Olivers. This is literally next to it and is delicious food!
Ps. are you reading this blog as a wine importer? Lucienne is still trying to find a good importer to sell the wines in the Netherlands. So feel free to send her a message. 😉
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