Appellation Wine Tours was founded in 1999 by Philip Green and Wendy Johnston, two passionate New Zealanders with a deep connection to the Central Otago wine region and a vision to share its world-class wines with visitors from around the globe. What began as a small, locally driven operation has grown into one of the most respected providers of Queenstown wine tours, known for delivering premium, small-group experiences.

From the beginning, Appellation’s mission has been to take guests beyond Queenstown’s well-known adrenaline attractions and into the quieter, more authentic parts of the region. Here, guests can immerse themselves in the culture of fine wine, enjoy exceptional local cuisine, and take in the breathtaking alpine scenery that defines Central Otago — a side of Queenstown many visitors never get to experience on a short stay.

In 2005, the company undertook a comprehensive brand evolution, officially adopting the name Appellation Wine Tours. This change reflected both the rapid growth and international recognition of the Central Otago wine region, as well as the increasing demand for high-quality, Queenstown-based wine tour experiences.

Appellation Wine Tours has received significant industry recognition and remains the only wine tour operator in New Zealand to have been awarded multiple trophies at the Great Wine Capitals – Best of Wine Tourism Awards. The company was named New Zealand Wine Tourism Services Winner in 2011 and 2013, and achieved the prestigious International Winner title in 2012 — a testament to the exceptional quality of its tours and guest experiences.

More recently, Appellation has continued to be recognised for excellence, including being named Leading Operator in Wine Tour Services (2019) by Global Business Insights, receiving the Service Excellence Award (2018) from Luxury Travel Guide, achieving Gold Qualmark status, and earning consecutive Tripadvisor Certificates of Excellence, resulting in “Hall of Fame” recognition.