SIP, SAVOUR & SHOP WITH RODD & GUNN’S FIRST LAUNCH OF PINOT NOIR.

The Lodge Bar Group's Beverage Director and Master Sommelier, Cameron Douglas, spoke to the Pinot Noir being "a wine of structure, if you think about New Zealand and where the best Pinot Noir comes from, you automatically think Central Otago."

Spending over 9 months in barrel, which lends the wine its polished tannins with only 10% exposure to oak, this is a "wine with a little bit of power, plenty of fruit and lots of pinosity. A core of fruit and dried-herb savoury complexity is at the heart of this expression with flavours of classic Otago dried raspberry, dark cherry and plum," added Douglas, "along with a whisper of chocolate and moderate level of oak lead to a complex and lengthy finish."

This wine is more than simply a beverage; it's a perfect blend of our passion for quality craftsmanship with the art of winemaking. It captures the essence of New Zealand's rich landscapes and Rodd & Gunn's 75-year legacy as we've traversed the globe, keeping an Antipodean spirit at our heart.

In partnership with Misha's Vineyards, located in Bendigo, Central Otago and crafted by internationally renowned winemaker Oliver (Olly) Masters, the cool climate lends to a Pinot Noir with firm expression. The vineyard is located on a spectacular site on the shore of Lake Dunstan and tended to with the utmost craftsmanship and skill, permitting grapes to flourish in Central Otago's rugged, mountainous landscape.

Our Central Otago Pinot Noir anchors the shared ethos between Rodd & Gunn and The Lodge Bar Group; a strong connection to the raw beauty of New Zealand's nature to drive design direction and sourcing the finest local produce for quality food and beverages to provide an experience like no other.

2024 has been a year of substantial growth for Rodd & Gunn with the opening of flagship lodges in Toronto's upscale Yorkville neighbourhood and Sydney CBD's Martin Place. This will be succeeded by a flagship in Manhattan's Flatiron District in New York City in late May, followed by a lodge in Melbourne's Emporium in June. Rounding out the year is our highly anticipated experiential retail & hospitality destination on Melbourne's iconic Little Collins Street in November.

The Rodd & Gunn Central Otago Pinot Noir will be served at all current hospitality locations; The Lodge Bar Queenstown, and The Lodge Bar & Dining Commercial Bay and James Street in Auckland and Brisbane, respectively.

CAMERON DOUGLAS

If you want a wine expert with unquestionable credentials to open the bottle and suggest a perfect food pairing while telling you the story behind the vineyard, Cameron Douglas is your man. Cameron Douglas is New Zealand's only Master Sommelier. He's one of three hundred people in the world with the title, in fact, the first in the Southern Hemisphere.

Douglas is an experienced wine writer, commentator, judge, reviewer, presenter and consultant. He takes his position as an unofficial ambassador for New Zealand wine very seriously, ensuring he spends time in every wine region in the country regularly

As The Lodge Bar Group's Beverage Manager, Douglas is responsible for our beverage program and has curated wine lists for all four of our hospitality venues. The wine offering at all venues features outstanding New Zealand producers, select vintages and hard-to-find varieties.

Douglas brings a wealth of wine knowledge to The Lodge Bar Group, and his mastery is the highlight of all current and upcoming venues.