25 southern restaurants included in prestigious guide odt.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from odt.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The one restaurant From wild-shot venison carpaccio to lamb backstrap to the best French onion soup this side of the Champs Elysees, Bistro Gentil brings a gallic touch to the fresh seasonal produce of Central Otago. Alongside the French hit parade – aged beef with dauphine potatoes and café de Paris butter, duck confit and pommes frites, crème brulee, pongy cheeses – you ll also get to taste some of the lovely pinot noirs and chardonnays of the Central Otago wine region. See bistrogentil.co.nz The one winery Dipping down to wet its feet in the waters of Lake Wānaka with the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park on the far side, Rippon is one of the prettiest vineyards you ll ever see. The creation of Rolfe and Lois Mills, who pioneered the viticulture industry in Central Otago, the vineyard is now farmed by their son, Nick, according to biodynamic principles. Pinot Noir, Gamay, Riesling and Gewurztraminer are the standouts, and tastings are free. See rippon.co.nz
THE ONE TOUR
Wanaka has plenty of stories to tell and the rugged Land Rovers of Ridgeline Adventures can take you on a spirited journey along farm tracks that wind high into the tussock-grass hills above Lake Wanaka. Along the way, you ll get the inside story on Wanaka s transformation from Maori settlement to pioneering sheep town to ski mecca, and what happened when Shania Twain came to town and snapped up one of New Zealand s iconic sheep stations. See ridgelinenz.com
THE ONE RESTAURANT
From wild-shot venison carpaccio to lamb backstrap to the best French onion soup this side of the Champs Elysees, Bistro Gentil brings a gallic touch to the fresh seasonal produce of Central Otago. Alongside the French hit parade – aged beef with dauphine potatoes and café de Paris butter, duck confit and pommes frites, crème brulee, pongy cheeses – you ll also get to taste some of the lovely pinot noirs and chardonnays of the Central Otago wine region. See bistrogentil.co.nz