What are the opening hours?

Wednesday 10:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 10:30am - 4:30pm Friday 10:30am - 4:30pm Saturday 10:30am - 4:30pm Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm

Mt Difficulty Wines

Home
New Zealand
Bannockburn
Mt Difficulty Wines

Central Otago’s leading artisan winegrower with a pioneering heritage based in Bannockburn.
(1458)

03/06/2026

Our Mt Difficulty Ghost Town Chardonnay 2023 has been awarded 97 Points by James Suckling, and ranked 18th in James Suckling’s Global Top Value Wines 2025, a recognition we are most proud of!

“Terrific aromas and flavours of dried apples, flint and oyster shells. Medium-bodied with ripe fruit and wild acidity. Light matchstick and stones in the finish. One trend top Chardonnay. Really excellent.”- James Suckling

We only have a handful of bottles left of this exceptional vintage - exclusively available on the wine list in our restaurant. Come and join us for lunch in Bannockburn and taste this remarkable wine.

01/06/2026

Meet Craig Carter, Mt Difficulty Viticulture Manager. Born and bred in the deep south, Craig has always been a man of the land, and has been working with grapes in the Central Otago region for well over 20 years.

Craig is extremely passionate about regenerative viticulture and the hard work the team have put into improving the soil health at Mt Difficulty’s vineyards is increasingly evident in the quality of the wines.

When not in the vineyard, Craig restores vintage cars and loves beach holidays. His favourite wine is Mt Difficulty Ghost Town Syrah.

30/05/2026

Join us for an intimate evening at Mt Difficulty featuring our Winemaker Greg Lane and Head Chef Stacia Andani for a refined four-course dining experience celebrating the best of Central Otago’s truffle season.

Showcasing premium truffle from Black Quail Estate, indulge in a menu of local delicacies alongside a selection of our finest Mt Difficulty library wines. The evening has been thoughtfully curated to highlight the beauty of seasonal New Zealand produce with a delicate and refined approach.

$250 per person for bubbles on arrival, four-course dinner and matched wines.
Bookings essential, limited seats available. To book email [email protected] or call 03 445 3445

29/05/2026

Long weekends are made for slow afternoons in Central Otago. Soak in the stunning views from our restaurant and cellar door while indulging in a leisurely lunch alongside our iconic wines.

We’re open for lunch and tastings 10.30am-4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday, we're closed on Monday.

Bookings essential via mtdifficulty.nz/book or phone us 03 445 3445.

23/05/2026

Enjoy a little more from your next cellar door visit or online order.

If you’re visiting us in Bannockburn, buy a full case of any wine (6 bottles) from our Cellar Door, and we’ll gift you a complimentary Roaring Meg or Mt Difficulty branded apron – while stocks last.

And for a limited time, earn DOUBLE Foley Points on cases of Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Chardonnay 2022 purchased online from foleycellars.co.nz or from our cellar door, and get closer to rewards! Offer ends Thursday 28 May.

A little extra reason to stock the wine rack this season.

17/05/2026

Harvest 2026 has wrapped up here in Bannockburn. This year’s cooler season has been a true reflection of the region’s character - a mix of challenge and beauty.

We’ve navigated a few frost events along the way but the fruit we’ve brought in is looking exceptional - small, concentrated and full of promise.

Picking has unfolded under crisp, golden autumn days with spectacular sunrises and sunsets providing the perfect backdrop in the vineyard, a reminder of just how special this place is at harvest.

14/05/2026

Join Mt Difficulty Winemaker, Greg Lane and Head Chef Stacia Andani for an evening of indulgence. Enjoy a meticulously crafted four-course dining experience showcasing local Black Quail Estate truffles and a selection of Mt Difficulty library wines.

Featuring crayfish raviolo with caviar and saffron foam, Royalburn lamb with rosemary jus, and an elegant kaffir lime dessert finale, each course is thoughtfully paired with exceptional cellar wines.

$250 per guest includes bubbles on arrival, four-course dinner with matched wines.

Limited seats available, bookings essential.

Saturday 18 July, 6pm
Mt Difficulty Restaurant
73 Felton Road, Bannockburn

To book, email [email protected] or phone 03 445 3445.

12/05/2026

Delicate salmon carpaccio layered with grilled nectarines, horseradish cream, romesco, crisp baby capers, and goat’s cheese. Vibrant, textured and fresh, made for long lunches with a glass of wine in hand.

26/04/2026

The Mt Difficulty solis on top of our bottles symbolises the unique microclimate of Bannockburn, the warmest sub-region in Central Otago. With Mount Difficulty as the dominant feature above our vineyard, the mountain provides shelter from the cool winds and rain of the Wakatipu and serves to increase the heat of our summer days.

It is because of this our wines show a true reflection of place.

22/04/2026

The living roof on top of our barrel hall not only conserves energy through evaporative cooling and heat retention, but also embraces a circular use of water by using process water from winemaking for irrigation and is designed to encourage biodiversity.

Happy Earth Day.

Address

73 Felton Road
Bannockburn
9384

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	10:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	10:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday	10:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday	10:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+6434453445

Website

https://www.mtdifficulty.nz/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mt Difficulty Wines posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your business to be the top-listed Food & Beverage Service in Bannockburn?