Domaine Thomson
Our wine venture is named after David’s great-great-grandfather, John Turnbull Thomson, known as “Surveyor Thomson”. Thomson explored and mapped Central Otago in the 1850’s, naming many prominent landforms in the region, including Mt Aspiring, Mt Earnslaw and Lindis Pass. The beautiful mountains that overlook our vineyard in Central Otago – notably the Pisa Range and the St Bathans Range were also named by Thomson.
Domaine Thomson Wine
Indeed, there is a sense that in our Cellar Door and offices, Thomson is still watching over us today. He would surely enjoy a glass of Surveyor Thomson wine as a break from the simple fare of the province’s earliest explorers!
To those with a sharp eye, you will see that part of our corporate crest is an image of a theodolite.
This theodolite, and its wooden tripod, accompanied Thomson on each of his marathon surveys of southern New Zealand. With this instrument, Thomson produced the first maps of central Otago, some of which are on display for those who visit our Cellar Door, along with early paintings of Queenstown and Wanaka.
