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Gibbston is a community in the Gibbston Valley which is part of the Wakatipu Basin in the Otago region of the South Island, New Zealand. Through the valley runs the Kawarau River which forms the Kawarau Gorge.
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Map of Gibbston 9371, New Zealand
The most visible aspect of the area are the vineyards and wineries next to SH6 which form part of the Central Otago wine region. The Gibbston Valley is the coolest and highest of the Central Otago regions with the majority of land gently sloping to the north. This northerly aspect greatly assists vineyards to grow grapes because of increased sunlight and with a reduced possibility of frost, although this still poses a significant threat.
It was voted community of the year in 2011 due to the work on the Gibbston River Trail. The Gibbston River Trail and the Gibbston Highway Trail are walking/running and cycling trails that give good access to the wineries in the area but also connect to The Queenstown Trail at the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge.
Often Gibbston is incorrectly called Gibbston Valley or Gibbston Flats due to the land being the only flat usable land in the Kawarau Gorge.
Vineyards and Wineries in the area
Grape varieties grown in the area include: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc as well as the highly successful Pinot Noir. Lesser known (and grown in smaller quantities) are the varieties of Gamay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier.