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)
Experience an indulgent and diverse full-day wine touring adventure showcasing the very best sights and tastes from the Central Otago region. Your experienced wine guide will lead you on a tasting journey, travelling in style in a luxury Mercedes-Benz minivan, through the three main contrasting wine sub-regions of Gibbston, Cromwell and the Bannockburn basin.
Tour includes:
- Complimentary select hotel pick ups
- Tastings at 4 premium locations (3 vineyards and a lunch venue)
- Visit Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell
- Exquisite 5-dish gourmet wine-barrel cooked lunch with matching wines
- Tour through Gibbston Valley underground wine cave
- Cheeseboard to accompany a wine tasting
- Short visit to historic Arrowtown and/or Old Cromwell
- Full commentary on the sights, wine and history of the region
Boutique Wine Tour (5.5 hr)
Discover world-class wines on this fun and interactive small-group wine tour offering a great taste of Central Otago’s wine, history, sights and cuisine.
Enjoy an array of wine tastings from four premium boutique vineyards over three contrasting wine sub-regions; Gibbston and the lesser-known Cromwell and Bannockburn basin.
Tour includes:
- Complimentary hotel pick-ups from selected central hotels
- Tastings at 4 boutique vineyards
- Visit Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell
- Shared gourmet platter style lunch at Carrick Winery and Restaurant (or similar)
- Stroll around vines and take in the breathtaking views of the Bannockburn Inlet and Lake Dunstan
- Visit Old Cromwell Town
- Full commentary on the sights, wine and early history of the region
Classic Wine Tour (4 hr)
Spend the afternoon visiting three perfectly selected vineyards including a guided tour through New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave at Gibbston Valley Winery. Sample an array of fine wines and varietals on offer and enjoy a shared cheeseboard which accompanies one of the wine tastings.
Tour includes:
- Complimentary select hotel pick ups
- Tastings at 3 premium vineyards
- Visit the Gibbston wine region
- Cheeseboard which accompanies a wine tasting
- Guided tour through Gibbston Valley Winery’s underground wine cave
- View the AJ Hackett Bungy bridge and Kawarau river
- Full running commentary on the sights, wine and history of the region
Scenic Sights Tour
Best of Glenorchy Tour
Private Wanaka Day Tour
