Central Otago Regional Identity Web Site

Tourism Award

The Tourism Award challenges businesses to think about their business strategies and their points of excellence.

Finalists are expected to demonstrate key attributes of sustained success, innovation and high service standards.

They should also inspire others with their commitment to Central Otago’s regional identity values – making a difference, respecting others, embracing diversity, adding value, having integrity, learning from the past, making a sustainable difference, protecting our rich heritage and meeting obligations.

This year's Finalist are:

Clutha River Cruises

Spectacular scenic excursions into the remote, wild reaches of the Roxburgh Gorge by Clutha River Cruises bring to life the hard times and treacherous conditions endured by Central Otago miners.

Steve Toyer is passionate promoter and protector of our heritage and an authority when it comes to the sites and gold mining history of this area. He takes people to places all but inaccessible by any other means: pointing out every heritage site along the way – schist caves, miners’ dwellings, old pathways, water races; enchanting them with the facts and yarns of the gold era, and stopping for a wander at Doctors Point.

A sole trader, assisted only by his partner, Steve is something of a pioneer himself, being the first and only operator to offer such experiences. He describes his cruises as being ‘about the history of region and the diversity of the people’.
In eight years Steve has grown Clutha River Cruises into a polished professional and unique experience, recently expanding his fleet with a boat that can take bigger, coach-size parties. He has a solid business plan that is regularly reviewed and he actively promotes Clutha River Cruises in New Zealand and overseas through targeted advertising, the web, media and social media. He is also a supporter of local charities and has built strong strategic alliances with organisations and other operators, always informing visitors of other attractions and encouraging them to stay another day.

The judges describe Clutha River Cruises as a business with ‘sustained success’ and were particularly impressed with Steve’s focus and investment in it: ‘Steve has created something out of nothing...this is a fantastic success story.’ They believe his passion and personality also play a considerable part in the business’s success.

This is a business that not only operates in the spirit of the regional brand values, but also offers a ‘World-of-Difference’ experience so unique that it is not commonly available anywhere else.

Mt Difficulty Wines Cellar Door and Restaurant

A visit up to Mt Difficulty Wines cellar door and restaurant instantly draws visitors into the rocky Central Otago landscape and presents majestic views across a patchwork valley of vineyards and golden hues to snow-dusted mountains.

Located in Bannnokburn, this ‘top notch’ venue boasts some of the region’s oldest vines and produces award-winning wines – Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Rosé, Chardonney and Sauvignon Blanc; and its restaurant offers the perfect complement with stylish, uncomplicated cuisine.

With eight years of sustained business, Mt Difficulty Wines cellar door and restaurant is a Central Otago success story. It offers a total, all-round, consistently high quality product and prides itself on being highly responsive towards customers – all points the judges were exceptionally impressed by. The judges also commented on the way the venue had ‘embedded’ itself in the community through sponsorship of and participation in local events.

This is a business that has shown a real commitment to the wider Central Otago region and regional brand principles. Staff members make a point of referring visitors to other local attractions and visit other wineries to build their local knowledge. Historic, local stories are routinely woven into conversations with visitors and in branding initiatives. It also actively promotes itself locally and with destination advertising in New Zealand and overseas.

Mt Difficulty Wines cellar door and restaurant demonstrates good sustainability principles, with a biodynamic vineyard, chef’s garden, recycling, winery pigs for food waste and by using local products where possible.

The judges were impressed to note that Mt Difficulty Wines cellar door and restaurant has ‘done a huge amount’ for the Central Otago wine industry’, describing its achievements as ‘dramatic and simply well done – fitting into the environment’ and altogether, offering visitors a superb Central Otago experience.

The Shed - Northburn Station

Amongst the vines and tussocks of Northburn high country sheep station, The Shed bestows upon visitors a food and wine experience that is uniquely and unequivocally, Central Otago.

This is a story of diversification, hard work and holding fast to a vision. Jan and Tom Pinckney first established a vineyard on their traditional, merino grazing operation in 1999. Later they added The Shed, a cellar door and function venue, unlike any other. Surrounded by naturally landscaped grounds, it is modelled on the original station homestead and 1850s woolshed and constructed using stonework and some of the original buildings’ materials to ensure a genuine sense of heritage.

Visitors to The Shed enjoy tastings of estate wines – richly flavoured Pinot Noirs plus Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé – matched with canapés; lunch platters; a farm gate shop with merino cuts from the farm, in-season treats like salmon and whitebait, and chutneys made with produce from their spray-free garden. The function venue is multi-purpose and ideal for weddings. Accommodating up to 200 guests, it has a picture-perfect backdrop with stunning views out to Lake Dunstan and beyond to the Sugarloaf and Pisa Mountains.

In two short years Jan and Tom have realised a dream. Indulging their passions for wine, food and hospitality and combining it with excellent business planning and rigorous processes they have enjoyed immediate success.

The judges were in ‘awe’ of the ‘excellence and ‘breadth of services’ and the couple’s commitment to ‘best practice’. The pair has applied their strengths, with Jan a former chef; taken on mentors; invested in their staff; led community–inspired events such as regular book launches; nurtured local and industry relationships; and actively sought publicity, hosting media and conducting overseas forays to promote themselves and to build contacts. They have rapidly built an impressive brand, which the judges describe as being ‘one of their most important successes’.

Jan and Tom are true champions of Central Otago’s ‘World of Difference’ brand values. Through finding a niche and making a special point of difference they have added real value and achieved a premium Central Otago experience.