PART ONE: French immigrant, Jean Desire Féraud goes down in history as being one of first pioneers to develop viticulture in the region in 1864, along with his neighbours, and fellow Frenchmen, the Bladier brothers. Renowned author on the subject, Ric Oram shares his extensive research on our region’s foray into winemaking and developments into the 1970s.

Wednesday 23 August, 6:30pm
Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery, Alexandra

Ric’s books will be available for purchase on the night:
Pinot Pioneers tells the story of how a handful of amateurs started today’s winegrowing industry in Central Otago.
Latitude 45.15S, among the world’s southernmost vineyards, is about the establishment of vineyards in the Alexandra basin how ways to fight frosts were developed.
Rabbits to Reds, similarly, about the growth of vineyards in the Cromwell basin.
Account of Monte Christo, birthplace of Central Otago winegrowing focuses on the first vineyards planted in the region during the goldmining days.