Gibbston Valley winemaker Chris Keys said although the snow and frost damage had been superficial, he was more than unnerved for his grapes as temperatures cooled.
"It affected my nerves, but there is nothing you can do at that level. The vast majority [of grapes] are fine."
Mr Keys said weather scares often came with the territory in Central Otago, but that wasn't necessarily a disadvantage.
"Warmer and safer doesn't necessarily make really good pinot. The rewards here are greater; the whole game is more interesting."
He said the payoff for local wineries was much greater than elsewhere in New Zealand because the warmer climates worked under conditions of "safe mediocrity", and he enjoyed the challenge.
Backing up the wine expert's words are awards for three of the winery's pinot noirs this season.
Gibbston Valley 2010 pinot noir grabbed a gold award at last week's Air New Zealand nationals and a Blue Gold award at Sydney's international wine competition.
The company's China Terrace pinot noir and School House pinot noir were given five-star ratings in Cuisine magazine, while the latter also picked up gold at the Air New Zealand awards.
Mr Keys said he was "extremely proud" of the 2010 Gibbston, as it was only released within the past month.
He said it was great to be recognised at the Sydney awards because the different judges had different palates - proving 2010 Central Otago wine was "balanced and polished".
"It is a bizarre set of circumstances. The warmer days, the cool nights, the elevated landscapes and incredible soil make growing here fantastic."
Central Otago wines Charcoal Gully Estate Sallys Pinch pinot noir, Mud House pinot noir, Judge Rock pinot noir, Rockburn pinot noir, Two Degrees pinot noir,Valli Bannockburn Vineyard pinot noir and Ranges pinot rose all gained Air New Zealand gold awards in their categories.
Winner of last year's Air New Zealand pinot noir award Peregrine Winery has also had a dream start to its year.
Less than a year after sweeping the board with the same wine in the Air New Zealand competition, the Peregrine pinot noir 2009 has been awarded the Bouchard Finlayson Trophy Pinot Noir in the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London.
Peregrine Wines' managing director and co-owner Lindsay McLachlan said he was surprised recognition had come so early for them.
"Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would receive two fantastic accolades like this so early in our history."
Mr McLachlan will be travelling to London next week to receive the trophy at a presentation banquet at the Guildhall on November 16.
