Where Is New Zealand Located On A Map

Where Is New Zealand Located On A Map

Altitude, slope, and aspect as environmental constraints on viticulture in Central Otago. The map identifies land with elevation of less than 400 metres, a slope of less than 15 degrees, and a northwest through northeast aspect.

Vines under present climate conditions is in the river valleys, or very close to them. The main hazard along these valleys is spring frosts from cool-air drainage onto flat land. Winegrowers have often chosen adjacent slopes to avoid this hazard.

When it comes to aspect, a distinction again exists between the western and eastern parts of the Central Otago wine region. Those localities where vineyards are dense -the Gibbston locality along the Kawarau, the Clutha-Lake Dunstan valley, Bannockburn and Alexandra – all have a high proportion of northerly facing slopes. Again, the valleys of the Cardrona and Nevis rivers establish a clear boundary between the northwestern, triangular third of Central Otago where northerly facing slopes are scattered and scarce, and the remaining two thirds of the region. East of the Cardrona-Nevis line, vines are much more dominant in the landscape.

When elevation, slope and aspect are combined on one map, the potential land for vineyards in Central Otago is defined. This map identifies almost all the

Note The calculations are based on three criteria: elevation; slopes of

Places where some vines are already planted; it also indicates the parts of the region that are likely to attract attention for future plantings. Even when a strict limit is put on elevation by considering land only under 330 metres, almost 20,000 hectares is classified as being suitable for vines. Easing this elevation restraint to less than 400 metres doubles this figure to 40,000 hectares. In 2010, New Zealand’s total area in vines was 33,428 hectares and Central Otago’s about 1500 hectares. It thus seems highly unlikely that Central Otago will run out of vineyard land in the immediate future.

On the north- and west-facing slopes of the higher terraces at Bendigo, Pinot Noir has been planted as high as 400 metres. It ripens here because the favourable aspect of these slopes increases annual solar energy by up to 120 degree-days annually and offsets their higher altitude. Chinamans Terrace, as it is known locally, is a kilometre from Rudi Bauer’s original Bendigo plantings on the southern arm of the Loop Road and the same distance from the Perriam homestead of Bendigo Station. South towards Cromwell along State Highway 8, the aspect of the Lakeside Vineyards is more westerly. Here, a variety of owners have intensively planted from almost on the lakeshore to about 400 metres. They include Misha’s vineyard and Devil’s Creek. Many other favourable sites at similar altitude exist in the region.

The most surprising results from this digital terrain model are the large areas of land suitable for viticulture in the Manuherikia catchment. When combined with the well-established orchards and other smallholdings along the Earnscleugh and Alexandra-Fruitlands Road, this southeastern corner of Central Otago contributes well over half the 20,000 hectares of land below 330 metres identified as being suitable for vines. The Earnscleugh and Fruitlands roads have a long history of successful intensive horticulture by orcharding enterprises, and viticulture has made only small inroads there. Farms practising pastoral agriculture in the Manuherikia and adjacent smaller catchments are more likely to be subdivided for vines than those holdings already successfully growing other horticultural crops.

Central Otago also has the advantage of much cultivable land at higher elevations not planted in vines. These higher slopes are likely to become more important in the future. At present many of them are not warm enough to ripen the available clones of

The north- and west-facing slopes of the Bendigo Terraces provide a sun trap that enables winegrowers to plant as high as 400 metres above the Loop Road.