Private, Custom or Small-Group Wine Tours
Central Otago wine country spreads from the outskirts of Queenstown’s Wakatipu Basin through picturesque valleys and dramatic gorges to the rolling vine clad foothills of Bannockburn and beyond.
Central Otago has rapidly gained a reputation as one of the world’s leading, premier cool-climate wine regions attracting major international praise. Nestled amongst the spectacular foot hills of the Southern Alps, Central Otago’s climate is perfectly suited to growing world class wines – outstanding and elegant Pinot Noir, delicate refined Rieslings, rich Pinot Gris and stylish Chardonnay.
To give you the ultimate wine touring experience, we have teamed up with Appellation Wine Tours, a company with over 20 years of experience and extraordinary reputation within the industry.
Specialising in private and small-group wine tours, Appellation Wine Tours will take you off the beaten track and into the heart of Central Otago; a wine region full of boutique vineyards, unique cellar doors, dramatic scenery and fascinating pioneering history. Sit back, listen and learn everything there is to know through expert Wine Guides.
Private Wine Tours
For the more discerning wine lover, or simply people who prefer the flexibility of a private tour. Join one of our senior wine guides on a wine tasting journey to some of New Zealand’s most memorable vineyards, at your own pace. Our local knowledge and familiarity with the vineyards of Central Otago is at your disposal for an intimate half or full day’s wine experience in a thriving wine region.
Private Gourmet Tour (6 hrs)
An indulgent and varied full-day tour seeing local sights, enjoying fresh cuisine and tasting a selection of fine wines, cheeses and handcrafted chocolates. Be greeted at your Queenstown accommodation by your own personal guide and luxury vehicle for an exclusive full-day tour. Venture into the heart of Central Otago to taste wines at 4 vineyards over 2 wine sub-regions. Tour includes:
- Knowledgeable Wine Guide and own luxury vehicle
- All tasting fees
- Guided tour through New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave
- A splendid cheese and wine presentation
- A divine wine barrel-cooked lunch matched with wines
- Stunning drive through the Kawarau Gorge view AJ Hackett bungy bridge
- Full commentary on the sights, wine and pioneering history
- Stop in to the must-see historic Arrowtown
- Take-home locally crafted artisan chocolates
Private Boutique Tour (5.5 hrs)
A superb tour tasting the best of the region. Taste superior wines at four of the region’s premium boutique vineyards. Move around in a private luxury touring vehicle and let our expert wine guides share the region’s history and sights, relaxing over a sumptuous vineyard lunch and spectacular scenery. A truly memorable day in Central Otago wine country. Tour includes:
- Knowledgeable Wine Guide and own luxury vehicle
- All tasting charges
- Sumptuous platter lunch at the renowned Mt Difficulty with a glass of premium wine
- Stunning drive through the Kawarau Gorge view AJ Hackett bungy bridge
- Full commentary on the sights, wine and pioneering history
- Visit the historic precinct of Old Cromwell
Private Classic Tour (4 hrs)
The perfect afternoon sampling wines from the best of the Gibbston region. Be collected from your accommodated and chauffeured in a luxury vehicle. Enjoy tastings from 3 cellar doors within the Gibbston region, take a tour through New Zealand’s largest wine cave, and take time to relax with a glass of wine and cheese platter. Includes:
- Knowledgeable Wine Guide and own luxury vehicle
- All tasting charges
- A cheese platter and glass of premium wine of your choosing
- Stunning scenery viewing AJ Hackett bungy bridge
- Knowledgeable Wine Guide & luxury vehicle
- Full commentary on the sights, wine and pioneering history
Custom Tour / Private Group Tour
Looking for a unique, boutique experience?
We specialise in custom-designing itineraries that will exceed your expectations. We can cater to a range of group sizes from couples through to groups of 60+.
Let us know your preferred date and time frame and let us come back to you with a range of ideas that we know you will love.
Ideas include:
– Unique Wine & Dine experiences
– Post-wedding winery tours
– Planned proposals
– Hens / bachelorette experiences
Private Heli & Wine Tour (5 hrs)
Discover New Zealand’s most scenic wine region by both land and air. Begin with a chauffeured journey into the Gibbston wine region for your first tasting. Be met by your helicopter for a spectacular flight over scenic wine country and enjoy an alpine landing on the back of the Remarkables with spectacular photo opportunities. Unite with your Wine Guide, enjoy a vineyard lunch and visit two further vineyards tasting the best of the region. Tour includes:
- Knowledgeable Wine Guide and own luxury vehicle
- All tasting charges
- Tastings at 3 vineyards within the Gibbston wine sub-region
- A sumptuous platter lunch and glass of premium wine
- Stunning scenery viewing AJ Hackett bungy bridge
- Full commentary on the sights, wine and pioneering history
Private Golf & Wine (7 hrs)
Golfers tend to get out and golf first thing in the morning. Let us take care of everything with transfers to your chosen golf course, tee off appointments and equipment hire. Enjoy 9 holes in the morning and then spend the afternoon discovering fine wines with a vineyard lunch added in, with a final transfer home. Includes:
- Knowledgeable Wine Guide and own luxury vehicle
- All tasting charges, green fees and equipment hire
- Tastings at 3 vineyards within the Gibbston wine sub-region
- A sumptuous platter lunch and glass of premium wine
- Stunning scenery viewing AJ Hackett bungy bridge
- Full commentary on the sights, wine and pioneering history
Small Group Wine Tours
Our daily wine tours take you from Queenstown to the Gibbston Valley and through to Bannockburn and the Cromwell basin, the heart of the Central Otago wine country. We also offer tours starting from Wanaka. Please email us for more details.
Gourmet Wine Tour (6.5 hr)
The Gourmet Food & Wine Tour offers a relaxed day of fine cuisine and good company tasting premium, cool-climate wines. Travel through stunning alpine scenery viewing AJ Hackett bungy bridge and taste wines at four of the best vineyards in the Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell regions.
Lunch consists of 5 dishes cooked in wine-barrels and matched with wines. Following that, take a stroll through the historic Arrowtown enjoying artisan chocolates at one’s leisure. Tour includes:
- Return hotel transfers in luxury vehicle
- Guided tour through New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave
- Cheese and chocolate tastings
- Wine barrel-cooked lunch matched with wines plus 3 more vineyard visits
- Stunning drive through the Kawarau Gorge view AJ Hackett bungy bridge
- Full commentary on the sights, wine and pioneering history
- Stop in to the must-see historic Arrowtown
Boutique Wine Tour (5.5 hr)
This small group tour offers a great taste of Central Otago’s wine, history, sights and cuisine. The tour visits four premium vineyards in Gibbston and Bannockburn / Cromwell, with a platter-style lunch and glass of wine at one of the vineyards.
Groups are a maximum of 12 adults ensuring personalised and interactive tours with experienced guides. Tour includes:
- Knowledgeable Wine Guide and accommodation transfers luxury vehicle
- All tasting charges
- Sumptuous shared-platter vineyard lunch with glass of premium wine
- Stunning drive through the Kawarau Gorge view AJ Hackett bungy bridge
- Full commentary on the sights, wine and pioneering history
- Visit the historic precinct of Old Cromwell
Classic Wine Tour (4 hr)
Discover the best of the region on this fun and interactive tour. Taste world class wines at 3 spectacular cellar doors in Gibbston region, take a guided tour through New Zealand’s largest wine cave and take time to sit and relax and enjoy local cheeses with a glass of premium wine. Tour includes:
- Knowledgeable Wine Guide and accommodation transfers luxury vehicle
- All tasting charges
- A cheese platter and glass of premium wine of your choosing
- Stunning scenery viewing AJ Hackett bungy bridge
- Knowledgeable Wine Guide & luxury vehicle
- Full commentary on the sights, wine and pioneering history
Scenic Sights Tour
Best of Glenorchy Tour
Private Wanaka Day Tour
