CROMWELL, Central Otago, New Zealand, 8 February 2019 – In the eighteen months since the launch of the Four Barrels Walking Wine Trail, a route connecting four of Central Otago's premium wine tasting rooms, thousands of tourists and locals alike have taken to the trail making it one of the most popular activities to do when visiting the region.CROMWELL, Central Otago, New Zealand, 8 February 2019 – In the eighteen months since the launch of the Four Barrels Walking Wine Trail, a route connecting four of Central Otago's premium wine tasting rooms, thousands of tourists and locals alike have taken to the trail making it one of the most popular activities to do when visiting the region.

Launched in September 2017, the picturesque wine trail, the first of its kind in Central Otago, starts from Cromwell's town centre, past local orchards, along Lake Dunstan and through vineyards to connect the tasting rooms of Misha's Vineyard, Aurum Wines, Scott Base and Wooing Tree Wines.
The idea for this 8-kilometre walking wine trail originated from one of Misha's Vineyard tasting room team who saw the increase in the number of tasting rooms opening in close proximity to the Cromwell town centre as well as an increase in tourism across the region. The other benefit with the trail was it could be a great year-round experience with walkers just needing to dress warmly for winter and protect themselves from the sun in summer. 

“We knew that launching a wine trail was a great concept but we didn't realise it would be as popular as it's proven to be” said Misha Wilkinson, Director of Misha's Vineyard. “It seems the idea of being able to embark on a self-paced 'wine tour' that includes a small element of 'exercise' has really captured people's attention and it's unusual now to have a day without someone walking the trail.”

The latest Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates (MBIE) shows visitor spending for the 12 months (ending Nov. 2018) was $204 million which is a 12% increase over the prior year. Nearly a quarter of all tourists visit a vineyard or winery, and this group is also more likely to stay significantly longer and spend more according Tourism New Zealand's visitor research. Their strong satisfaction rating also makes them very likely to recommend New Zealand as a destination, so tourism is set to increase.

Walking the 4 Barrels Walking Wine Trail is free with the only costs being wine tasting fees (redeemable on a purchase), as well as food options which are available at three of the Tasting Rooms. Trail maps can be obtained from the Cromwell I-Site, Cromwell accommodation providers or at each of the participating tasting rooms.

“Since the launch of the 4 Barrels Walking Wine Trail, it's become one of the most requested maps” said Nick Lanham Central Otago i-SITEs Manager.  “People love the idea they can easily walk or cycle to four local Tasting Rooms and experience fabulous scenery and taste a great range of Central Otago wines. From a simple idea to connect people and place, a great visitor experience has been created” he added.  

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About 4 Barrels Walking Wine Trail    https://www.facebook.com/4BarrelsCromwell/
The 4 Barrels Walking Wine Trail provides an easy way for tourists and locals to navigate around four of Central Otago's premium Tasting Rooms by foot. The self-paced 8-kilometre loop trail includes Misha's Vineyard, Aurum Wines, Scott Base and Wooing Tree Vineyard, as well as capturing some wonderful scenery through orchards and around Lake Dunstan. The wine trail, the first of its kind. in Central Otago, has a total walking time of approximately 90 minutes and can be completed in 4 hours (min) assuming 30-minute stops at each tasting room with trail times extended if including a lunch break along the way. At three of the tasting rooms there are lunch and/or platters available or there is the option of bringing one's own picnic and finding a scenic spot.  The 4 Barrels Walking Wine Trail is free, with the only costs being wine tasting fees (which are redeemable on a wine purchase), as well as optional food purchases. Wine Trail Maps are available at the Cromwell i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, Cromwell accommodation providers and each of the Tasting Rooms.

For further information, please contact: 

• Misha's Vineyard Tasting Room  www.mishasvineyard.com 

 Misha Wilkinson misha@mishasvineyard.com Tel:  +64 3 445 4456      Mob +64 21 0220 0812

• Aurum Wines  www.aurumwines.com  

 Lucie Lawrence  lucie@aurumwines.com Tel: +64 3 445 3620

• Scott Base  www.scottbasevineyards.co.nz

 Carolyn Murray  info@spaceatthebase.co.nz Tel: +64 3 445 4715

• Wooing Tree Vineyard www.wooingtree.co.nz 

 Elise Crossman sales@wooingtree.co.nz Tel: +64 3 445 4142

Or

• Tourism Central Otagoo Alison Mason, Media and Marketing Manager Tel: +64 27 432 0689, Alison.mason@codc.govt.nz 

A range of high-resolution images of the Tasting Rooms, winery logos and walking trail are available for media via Dropbox. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/46wi454thjuqmhg/AABmlsqE116IpvetNSy9bNCna?dl=0