Ready to book your Queenstown Wine Tour?
Although considered the adventure capital of New Zealand, there’s more to Queenstown than adrenaline-pumping activities and beautiful mountain ranges.
Queenstown is nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s Central Otago Region, an area renowned for producing exceptional wines, particularly its world-class Pinot Noir, which thrives in the region’s unique climate and terroir. The area’s cool temperatures and long growing season contribute to the development of complex flavors and aromas in the grapes.
In addition to Pinot Noir, Central Otago also produces a range of other wine styles, giving you the opportunity to taste a variety of wines in one place.
Don’t have time to read the whole article? Book Gourmet Food, Wine and Cheese Tour from Queenstown – with tastings at 4 wineries, a gourmet lunch, cheese tasting and a near-perfect 4.9/5 rating ⭐️
With a selection of wine tours available, you can indulge in guided tastings, learn about the winemaking process, and savor gourmet food pairings, all while soaking in the stunning scenery.
Not sure which wine tour to choose? I can help! I live in New Zealand and visit Queenstown often. We’ve enjoyed our fair share of Queenstown wine tours and tastings over the years (it’s a tough job but someone must do it), and I’ve rounded up our top picks below for their uniqueness, great ratings and value for the price. So all you need to do is book and enjoy!
There’s a mix of tours, from small-groups and boutique wineries, to food pairings and e-bike tours, so you can find one that fits you best.
» Looking for more info to build your Queenstown itinerary? Check out our full Queenstown travel guide, the best time to visit, and these top things to do in Queenstown. Get active with these awesome QT day hikes.
What wine is Central Otago known for?
Here are the main types of wine that Central Otago is known for:
Pinot Noir: The leading grape variety produced in Central Otago, characterized by its vibrant red fruit flavors, such as cherry and plum, balanced acidity, and complex earthy and floral notes.
Chardonnay: Known for its rich and full-bodied character, Central Otago Chardonnay often features notes of stone fruit and citrus.
Sauvignon Blanc: This varietal is typically vibrant and aromatic, showcasing flavors of tropical fruit and herbs.
Riesling: Central Otago Rieslings can range from dry to sweet, offering floral aromas and crisp acidity.
Pinot Gris: This variety produces aromatic wines with flavors of pear, apple, and spice.
Gewürztraminer: Known for its intense floral and spicy notes, Gewürztraminer from Central Otago is often rich and full-bodied.
Top Wine Tours in Queenstown
Central Otago has a rich history in wine production, with many small, family-owned wineries. Joining a wine tour gives you the opportunity to meet local winemakers and learn about the region’s unique wine production methods and history.
Editor’s Pick: Best Queenstown Wine Tour
1. Gourmet Food, Wine and Cheese Tour from Queenstown
⏰ 6.5 hours | 🍇 4 vineyards/cellar doors | 🕤 Departure Time: 9:30 AM
There’s no need to draw straws with your group over who’s the sober driver on this Appellation Wine Tours relaxed full day winery tour from Queenstown.
Visit a series of boutique wineries in three different wine sub-regions of Central Otago including Bannockburn, Cromwell and Gibbston Valley. Enjoy the views of the rolling hills and vineyards from the comfort of your luxury transport with a personal guide.
This tour really does have it all, offering great value for money. You’ll get to experience wine tastings at four different vineyards, plus a guided tour through New Zealand’s largest wine cave, an incredible lunch, a cheese pairing and a chance to explore the charming towns of Cromwell and Arrowtown. It packs in so much goodness, yet doesn’t feel rushed.
Lunch was a highlight for us. It’s a wine and food matching experience from Wild Earth Wines, my favorite Central Otago winery. The food is cooked in retired French Oak Pinot Noir wine barrels, creating the most incredible flavor, which is perfectly matched with their wines.
After lunch and time permitting, you’ll stop at the Cromwell Heritage Precinct (also known as Old Cromwell) to see the heritage buildings from the 1860s gold rush era. Followed by your final wine tasting which includes an artisanal New Zealand cheese pairing.
The day finishes in Arrowtown, one of my top places to visit in New Zealand, where you can stroll along the charming streets perusing the boutique shops or visit the Chinese Settlement, one of Arrowtown’s most popular attractions, to learn about the fascinating gold mining history of the area.
On this tour you’ll:
- Savor a delicious wine-paired lunch and cheese tasting
- Visit 4 vineyards in 3 sub-regions in uncrowded luxury transport (max 12 people)
- Enjoy a stop at the historic towns of Cromwell and Arrowtown
- Bask in panoramic views of Central Otago en route from Queenstown (with pick-up and drop-off)
2. Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown Including Lunch (with Optional Jet Boat Ride)
⏰ 5.5 hours | 🍇 4 vineyards/cellar doors | 🕤 Departure Time: 11 AM
This Central Otago Wine tour takes you to three wineries in Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell for wine tasting, and a delicious wine paired lunch at a fourth location.
It also stops at Cromwell Heritage Precinct, one of the best things to do in Cromwell and a place I absolutely adore. You’ll have time to stroll around the cobblestone laneways to see the historic buildings from the gold mining days without taking too much time away from wine tasting.
The unique thing about this tour is you have the option to add on a jet boat ride to your wine tour when you book. It’s a great way to maximize your time in Queenstown with two activities, offering good value.
Of course, the jet boat ride is completely optional so if it’s not your cup of tea you can just book the wine tour.
Overall, we enjoyed the variety of wineries we visited and liked that they were in three contrasting wine sub-regions of Central Otago. It’s a great way to see this beautiful region if you don’t have your own wheels or are short on time.
On this tour you’ll:
- Enjoy a wine paired lunch platter during your tour
- Get taken around top locations in the Central Otago wine region by your tour driver
- Avoid crowded vehicles and enjoy each winery as part of small tour group limited to 12 people
- Keep it simple with pick-up and drop-off from selected hotels around Queenstown
3. Queenstown Wine Hopper Bus
⏰ 6 hours | 🍇 Multiple vineyards/cellar doors | 🕤 Departure Time: 12 PM
The Queenstown Wine Hopper Bus offers great value and complete flexibility to create your own itinerary for the day without someone having to sacrifice being a sober driver.
It operates like a hop-on hop-off bus but with smaller vans (8 passengers max) and a more personalized service. There is a designated pickup location in central Queenstown (12:00 pm) and Frankton (12:10 pm), which runs until 6pm.
Once onboard, your wine guide and driver will provide info and tips to help you customize your own wine tour.
There are about fifteen venues you can visit with options to experience tasting rooms and underground wine caves to wine paired lunches, platters and cheese tastings.
With no set schedule you can spend as much or as little time at each venue you choose to visit. Just be aware that for this one, all wine tasting fees, plus wine & food purchases are at your own cost, although you can pick and choose where to spend your money.
We took the Wine Hopper Bus on our last visit and our driver was amazing. We thought we had seen it all from our previous visits, but he made some great suggestions and we discovered new spots. Highly recommend Mt Rosa cellar door and lunch at The Church.
On this tour you’ll:
- Have an afternoon pick-up in Queenstown or Frankton leaving your morning free for other activities
- Enjoy no set destinations or timeframes
- Get a knowledgeable wine guide to help customize your tour based on your tastes and preferences
- Visit as many wineries as you want
4. Queenstown Wine Sampler Tour
⏰ 6 hours | 🍇 4 vineyards/cellar doors | 🕤 Departure Time: 10 AM
The Altitude Tours Queenstown Wine Sample Tour is a good option if you want to experience a selection of cellar doors in the Gibbston Valley area with the flexibility to choose your own lunch.
This tour starts with a visit to Gibbston Valley Winery, the first and largest winery in the area, for a guided tour of its iconic underground wine cave and wine tasting.
The next three stops offer a nice variety including a cellar door where you can try wines from smaller producers, a boutique owner-operated winery in a fairytale setting and a unique tasting room located in a small refurbished church.
You’ll have the option to buy lunch at Kinross Winery. The menu is varied offering everything from pizza and small bites to platters and mains so you can choose what you’d like based on your tastes and budget.
There’s a maximum of 14 guests with plenty of pick-up locations around Queenstown accommodations and bus stops.
On this tour you’ll:
- Visit 4 cellar doors with generous tastings in Gibbston Valley
- Learn about the area from wine certified guide
- Enjoy transport is a luxury Mercedes vehicle
- Choose your own lunch (not included in price)
5. Guided E-Bike Tour with Winery Visits & Tastings
⏰ 6 hours | 🍇 4 vineyards/cellar doors | 🕤 Departure Time: 9 AM
This is such a fun way to explore the incredible scenery of the area, and the e-bike makes it possible to enjoy the excursion without being a sweaty mess once you arrive at your destination .
This Ride to the Vines” guided e-bike tour takes you along mountain rivers and crosses historical suspension bridges around Queenstown, and finishes with a well-earned wine tasting and platter at two boutique wineries in Gibbston Valley.
The first stop is the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, with a ride along the beautiful Arrow and Kawarau rivers, which is especially stunning in autumn. You’ll cross over suspension bridges and the oldest bungy jumping bridge, before heading to the Gibbston Valley, with extensive vineyards as far as the eye can see.
You are rewarded for your effort with a visit to two boutique family owned wineries, where personalized wine tastings and an artisanal platter lunch awaits you.
Afterward, you’ll be transported back to Queenstown in a nice comfy van. No pedaling required post wine tasting! They’ll even collect any wine purchased during the tour for you.
On this tour you’ll:
- Get to ride a powerful e-bike in a small group (8 people max)
- Have the use of a backpack, safety equipment and water bottle for the day
- Enjoy hosted wine tastings in boutique family owned wineries while learning about the vine growing process and secrets of winemaking
- Receive photos and video footage of the day
6. Afternoon Boutique Wine Tour
⏰ 3-4 hours | 🍇 3 vineyards/cellar doors | 🕤 Departure Time: 1:30 PM
This was the first Queenstown wine tour we ever did. We liked that it was only a few hours and started in the afternoon, which left the morning free for other activities in Queenstown.
It’s a great option if you are short on time or only have a few days in Queenstown.
We also like that it was a boutique tour with a maximum of 8 people for a personalized experience.
You’ll visit three different boutique wineries in the Gibbston area, and get to learn about the story behind each of the places you’ll be visiting. Tastings were generous and we were provided with a nice cheese platter to snack on as well as bottled water.
Overall this tour offers a great introduction to wine-tasting, providing a nice and relaxed afternoon with a focus on a boutique experience.
On this tour you’ll:
- Enjoy tastings of up to 15 wines across 3 wineries, plus snacks
- Receive professional photos from the day
- Be picked-up and dropped-off from Queenstown Central
- Visit several wineries without worrying about driving
7. Queenstown Twilight Wine and Craft Beer Tour
⏰ 4 hours | 🍇 3 wineries/breweries | 🕤 Departure Time: 3 PM
The Queenstown Twilight Wine and Craft Beer Tour is a good casual option that caters to wine and beer drinkers with a later start time.
You’ll visit 3 wineries or breweries, with the choice of wine or craft beer tasting at each. There’s also snacks and an antipasto platter to share which is enough to compliment the tastings but light enough to enjoy a meal when you get back to Queenstown.
New Zealand has a pretty awesome craft beer scene, and this is a great way to sample the local brews. You’ll still get to learn about the unique Gibbston region and how it produces world class wines, with a more casual approach to tastings.
It offers a nice variety of wine and craft beer from small, local producers with fun and knowledgeable guides.
On this tour you’ll:
- Visit a tavern, boutique winery and brewery in the Gibbston and Arthurs Point areas
- Have the option of wine or craft beer tasting at each location, plus a shared platter
- Get picked up and dropped off at a central Queenstown location
- Enjoy a casual and fun atmosphere with up to 14 others
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a casual wine lover, Queenstown wine tours provide an unforgettable experience that celebrates the art of winemaking amid stunning scenery. With so many great wineries to choose from, a tour removes the tough decision making and takes you to a selection of the best offering a variety of experiences and wines to try. Whichever one you choose, it’s sure to be a great experience in one of the most beautiful locations.
Travel Planning Guide
🚗 Where should I book my rental car?
Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around New Zealand. Public transportation can only get you so far, even in the cities. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks the prices of all major rental car companies, so you get the best rates.
🚐 What about a campervan?
Renting a campervan is a fantastic way to experience the more remote areas of New Zealand. I really like JUCY because they have a big range of vehicles and locations around the country, which offers more flexibility with pick-up and drop-off. I also like Motorhome Republic, which compares all the campervan options available in NZ.
🎟 Where should I book my tours?
Tours are a great way to experience New Zealand’s top attractions while learning about the area and culture through local guides. We always use Viator and Get Your Guide to find the best tours.
🛏 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?
For hotels and vacation rentals, Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best sites. You can also book through TripAdvisor. If you’re considering renting a house instead, try VRBO which often has good deals.
🛩 What’s the best site to buy flights to New Zealand?
For finding the best deals on flights to New Zealand from around the world, I recommend Kayak.com.
Like this article? Save it on Pinterest so you can find it again.
FOLLOW US on Pinterest and Facebook for more New Zealand travel inspiration and tips!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.