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There may be no better place to cultivate a wine vineyard in New Zealand than the heart of the desert, the Gibbston Valley. Straddling the hills of central Otago, the area has been the home of Gibbston Valley Wines since the 1980s. When you stay in New Zealand on a locum tenens assignment, trying the Gibbston product isn't enough—bring a few friends and visit the vineyard for a cave and winery tour.
Founder Alan Brady saw potential in the unique temperature and environment of the desert region, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glacial river valleys. Starting out as a hobby, Brady's winemaking quickly became a passion and a living when he witnessed the fine results of his first successful production.
Not every wine manufacturer offers you a tour through an underground cave. Starting out in the valley vineyard, you'll learn the history of the region and the winemaking process for Brady and his colleagues. You'll sample three of the company's current releases in the dimly lit ambiance of the wine cave, which was created out of the split rock of the Central Otago mountains. Gibbston Valley keeps the wine stored at a constant temperature between 53 and 57 degrees within the depths of the underground structure.