What to do and see in Queenstown, South Island: The Best Wine Tours & Tastings

After being picked up from The Station Building in Queenstown you'll be transported to the Gibbston Valley Winery. Here you'll take a guided tour of New Zealand's largest wine cave and taste current release wines, amidst more than 300 barrels of ageing Pinot Noir. Next you'll relax and enjoy a delicious lunch with a glass of wine. After lunch, make your way to the Bike Centre to get kitted out with your gear, and take off on a ride along the Gibbston River Trail to explore the Central Otago wine region on wheels. The trail winds along the majestic Kawarau River, through vineyards and passes other local wineries that you may wish to visit along the way. You will then make your way back to Gibbston Valley Winery where we will transport you back to town.

Inclusions: Detailed trail map, Lunch & a glass of wine at the Winery, Return transport from Queenstown, Hard tail bike hire (E-Bike up-grade cost $40 per bike), Wine tasting in New Zealand's largest wine cave

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

See the best of New Zealand’s stunning South Island on this unforgettable 8-day tour! Traveling by private luxury vehicle you’ll visit all the highlights of this amazing destination on an counter-clockwise route from Christchurch. Explore Arthur’s Pass, see West Coast rainforests from Franz Josef Glacier, and visit Mount Cook and Queenstown. Customize your tour to your preference with a range of optional activities (own expense) including helicopter rides, mountain walks, bungee jumps and more! The service that we provide is a private luxury tour service, not a large group tour. Other than our friendly tour staff you will not be sharing your tour with anyone outside of your own party so you can rest assured that this is your tour and we’ll do exactly what you want to make it your perfect trip. With a round-trip transfer from Christchurch Airport or your local hotel plus seven nights of accommodation included, this adventure-laden tour enables you to see the South Island with ease.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Private tour, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), Live commentary on board, Professional tour guide (who is also the driver), Transport by private vehicle and all fuel charges, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Round-trip airport transfer (Christchurch), 7 nights accommodation in your selected category of hotel

Exclusions: Gratuities, Optional activities, Personal expenses, Food and drinks, not specified in the itinerary (lunch and dinner)

After complimentary accommodation pick-up, we will set off for the heart of Gibbston on a small private tour to visit four cellar doors and journey into the ‘valley of the vines’ to discover these vineyards nestled amongst the spectacular mountain ranges and dramatic river gorges. Before we get to the first winery there will be a stop at a scenic location and travellers will learn about wine-tasting techniques and wine aromas while soaking up the fabulous views. In one of the wineries, we will savour a vineyard platter or a cheese board to pair with the wines. There will be time for you to order more food if you think you need (at your own expense). We will visit boutique wineries that are off the beaten path. There is no set routine, so every day is an adventure. The choice of the wineries visited will vary each day based on your individual group's dynamics. The overall focus is on high-quality wines as well as friendly and informative staff.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water, Tasting of up to 20 of the best of Central Otago wines in all the wineries visited, Shared cheese platter, Professional photos

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

Experience wine tasting in New Zealand's largest wine cave. We offer daily wine cave and tasting tours where you can visit Home Block, the region's oldest vineyard, do a tasting in our wine cave and catch a glimpse of our winemakers in action.

Inclusions: Return transport from Queenstown, Cave Tour & tasting

Exclusions:

Join us on the Queenstown & Central Otago Wine Tour which is an outstanding way to experience the stunning wines of both the Bannockburn and the Gibbston wine regions in Central Otago which are famed for it’s Pinot Noir. We will drive you through Central Otago to Bannockburn where we will go to the cellar door at Mt Difficulty, located on famed Felton Road before visiting the top wineries and cellar doors in the Gibbston Valley wine region. Create an unforgettable wine experience with your very own private local guide in the comfort of our luxury European vehicles.

Inclusions: Local taxes, Bottled water, Snacks, Wine tasting fees, Professional Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transportation, Lunch

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Lunch (highly recommend booking in advance your preferred winery restaurant), Gratuities, Coffee/tea (available to purchase)

5-hour eBike heaven traversing some of the most beautiful countrysides in New Zealand. An exclusive personal wine tasting experience with the comments from our knowledgeable guide. A ride through the vineyards and exploring the vine growing secrets. An enchanting eBike ride over historic suspension bridges. Visiting the world’s first permanent Bungy jumping site. Historic information about the Central Otago area along the way.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Wine tastings, Top of the range Moustache eBike, All Safety equipment, Collection of any wine purchased during the tour, back pack and water bottle for a trip

Exclusions: Lunch

This is an immersive, fun and educational wine tour visiting five of Central Otago’s finest and off the beaten track cellar doors through the BIG 4 wine regions of Gibbston, Cromwell Bendigo and Bannockburn. Sample over 20 spectacular cool-climate wines and enjoy an (optional) exceptional lunch at the renowned Bannockburn Hotel (additional cost ordered on the day) whilst learning information, stories and facts about the region and wine from your charismatic guide and cellar staff educate. Travel in style with transfers in a luxury Mercedes van, and make use of our complimentary WiFi and bottled water. We have regular cellar doors we visit however we have the flexibility to tailor the tour to suit where possible. If you have specific requests please let us know through ‘special requirements’ at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate. Sample itinerary for the day: Kinross, Scott Base, Misha's Vinyard, Te Kano and Cloudy Bay.

Inclusions: Wine tastings at 5 unique cellar door locations, Bottled water, WiFi on board, Complimentary branded wine glass, Complimentary Queenstown hotel transfers

Exclusions: Lunch at premier renown location is at customers expense

This isn't your average wine or beer tour! I've carefully sought out the best of the best. These are Queenstown's boutique taste makers. Leave the tourist trail behind and let me take you on a personal journey to meet the folks who's passion, love for their craft and location sets them apart from the rest. Take a place that is widely considered one of the top wine regions in the new world, a recent explosion in craft & microbreweries and add in the pioneering kiwi spirit and you have the perfect recipe for an all out taste adventure. Wine and beer are made, first and foremost to just be enjoyed. So, whether you're the Einstein of wine or just here for a good ol' time, come sip, slurp & savour the best local flavours. **Please Note: I'm not a large commercial operator or tour company and prefer to focus on smaller group sizes as I believe this allows for better connections to be made and a more valuable experience for travellers.

Inclusions: Beer & Food Pairing, 20+ Tastings Included, Environmentally Friendly Water Bottles Provided To All Guests, Snacks, Air-conditioned vehicle, Direct Accommodation Pick-Up/Drop-Off Included, Carbon footprint offset: For each trip, more native trees are planted in the region.

Exclusions:

This exclusive wine tour of 5 wineries is perfect for small groups of family & friends. In Central Otago wine country you'll discover a wide range including Pinot Noir, Rosé, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc. I will pick you up at your accommodation in Queenstown at 11.40 am. Travelling in a premium SUV we head up the Kawarau Gorge to our first wine tasting which takes place at one of the most awe inspiring settings in the winemaking world. We then head to Cromwell where wineries are set amongst the historic remnants of the gold rush era. Here you will visit three wineries and taste distinctive wines in dramatic terrain. At one of the wineries a platter lunch can be booked in advance on your behalf with expenses payable by you directly to the cellar door. We then return to Queenstown and stop at a winery on the way for our final tasting. I am also a photographer; pictures are free of charge and are sent to you via link after the tour.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Over 24 wines available for tasting, Wine tasting fees, Coolbox for drinks & food, WiFi on board, Air-conditioned vehicle, Photos free of charge, Wine tasting guide

Exclusions: A platter lunch can be booked on your behalf with all expenses (from $20 per head) payable by you direct to the vineyard ; platter menus available on request.

Discover and savour our world-class Central Otago wines on the Valley of the Vines Afternoon Wine Tour exclusively for adults only! Wine-lovers are transported on a journey through the 'Valley of the Vines' to indulge in an afternoon of wine tastings and delicious local cheeses in the world's southernmost wine region. Relax and unwind as you visit three renowned vineyards and wineries, experience a behind the scenes winery and wine cave tour where you will immerse the senses in New Zealand’s largest wine cave. Imbibe some of the best vintages on offer, and beyond the grape enjoy a shared cheese board at a latitude of 45° south, an unforgettable experience. Created exclusively for adults only to ensure that the rest of the group experiences an unforgettable day while travelling in a luxurious Mercedes Sprinter.

Inclusions: Winery & Wine Cave Tour, Shared Cheese Board, Local Guide, Live commentary on board, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities