Three Central Otago wine producers will this week travel to Burgundy, France, to learn the history and culture of pinot noir during a six-week educational trip.

Vineyard manager Isobel MacKay of Pisa Range, Felton Road viticulture supervisor Sam Woods and Philippa Batley, cellar supervisor at Amisfield Wine Company, were all selected to take part in the annual exchange between the two regions, both renowned for their pinot noir.

The exchange, now in its third year, is supported by Otago Polytechnic – Cromwell campus and Central Otago Winegrowers Association who have assisted with travel expenses. COWA deem it a valuable programme to enhance and evolve the traditional winemaking techniques and practices in to ‘new world' production as well as absorbing the cultural aspects of the Burgundy region.

"This is not only a great experience for the individual but also for the group, to absorb the experiences and knowledge from vineyards in Burgundy and disseminate in to our wine world here in Central Otago," said Nick Mills from Rippon Winery, an executive member of the Central Otago Winegrowers.

The first week will be spent attending courses at the de Formation Professionnelle et de Promotion Agricole (CFPPA), a viticulture technical institute in Beaune, followed by a month in the Cote d'Or region of Burgundy working in vineyards for the upcoming harvest. The winemakers will immerse themselves in the traditional methods of pinot noir production.

The students have been undergoing introductory French lessons from Tomas Price, a Burgundy exchangee who stayed on in Central Otago working at Carrick Vineyard.

Students from the CFPPA will make a return visit to Central Otago for the harvest in April.