NOTE: We are open & operating in RED. COVID-19 Vaccine Passports required. Find out more here.

Appellation Wine Tours Policies

Cancellation / Refund / Reissue Policy

Outside of 48 hours before departure:

– Booking dates can be changed to a different date or time at no extra cost, subject to availability.

– Bookings can be refunded less a $10 (per transaction) penalty if booked through our Real Time Booking System. This will be refunded back onto the card payment was made with. Please allow upto 10 working days for this to clear.

– Any booking paid by a NEW ZEALAND bank account can be fully refunded less a $10 (per transaction) penalty. This will be refunded back into the nominated bank account and will appear within 3-5 days.

– Any booking paid by INTERNATIONAL direct deposit can be fully refunded less a $15 (per transaction) penalty and the amount will depend on the conversion rate on the day the refund is processed. This should appear with 5-10 days.


Inside 48 hours before departure:

– Bookings can not be rescheduled and no refund will be issued.

 

Transfers or cancellations can be phoned  through on +643 442 6920 between the hours of 8am-8pm NZD time, or emailed through to bookings@appellationwinetours.nz 

Risk Disclosure Statement

Engaging in a wine tour with Appellation Wine Tours is considered a low-risk activity due to their commitment to safety, professionalism, and personalized service. The tours are conducted in small, intimate groups, minimizing exposure and ensuring a relaxed environment. All transport is provided by experienced drivers in well-maintained vehicles, and the tour routes are carefully planned to avoid overcrowded locations. With a strong emphasis on guest well-being, hygiene standards are upheld throughout the experience, making it a safe and enjoyable way to explore the region’s finest wines and stunning landscapes.

Operating with a Conscience

As a long-standing Queenstown tourism operator, we are extremely grateful to have had many years of showcasing Queenstown and the many wine regions of Central Otago and we are committed to delivering a world-class visitor experience for many years to come.

However, we are mindful that having a clean, beautiful and pristine landscape in which to operate in is not to be taken for granted and as such we recognise that it is our responsibility to operate our business in a mindful and sustainable manner.

Environmental Sustainability

Appellation Wine Tours is fully committed to making a positive impact in all aspects of our business, from positive visitor experiences to positive impacts on the environment that we work in.

We are committed to the environment and not only take active steps to minimise the impact of our operation ourselves but also enable our customers to be environmental stewards themselves by encouraging a reduction of collective impact. Our little piece of paradise will be preserved for the many generations of visitors, locals and businesses to come.

Our current environmental initiatives are as follows:

  • We have a 5-star Operator Rating which is the highest level of safety rating, given by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
  • Our vehicle fleet includes two Ford electric vans and a Tesla Model Y.
  • We try using Michelin tyres in all our vehicles, which contribute to fuel efficiency, longevity, and a quieter ride for the enjoyment of passengers.
  • Vehicles are serviced at manufacturers recommended intervals to reduce fuel usage and emissions.
  • All cleaning detergents used are bio-degradable.
  • The majority of the vineyards visited are Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand accredited vineyards.
  • Our key restaurants use locally sourced produce supporting the local economy.
  • Mixed and glass recycling is available at our vehicle base and office.
  • Guests are not required to print vouchers (we operate as voucherless).
  • Our printer is defaulted to double sided printing, with a draft level of printing, and ink cartridges are refilled locally.
  • All single-side printed paper that comes into the office is reused.
  • All equipment is turned off at the end of the day to reduce power usage.
  • All lights in the office are energy saver lights.
  • We only use rechargeable batteries.
  • We are strong supporters of Predator Free NZ and strongly recommend others to assist with predator control work.

Sustainable Proof

Each year our business takes part in an independent assessment governed by Qualmark, which takes an in-depth look into all aspects of the business – Economics, Health & Safety, Environment and Social / People. Our business works hard to ensure a quality experience in all areas and we are proud to have received a Gold Status award from 2017 – 2024.

We also take pride in being part of the Tourism Sustainability Commitment in which our Sustainability Plan addresses the twelve business commitments in which we have achieved or are working towards achieving. The commitments outline three goals under four key aspects; Economic, Visitor, Community and Environment.

Supporting Local

In the interests of giving back, we support a local environment group, Love Queenstown.

As a non-profit organisation they rely heavily on financial support from the public to continue and expand their wildlife restoration and conservation work. Our annual contributions towards the purchase of predator traps will help to realise the vision of a predator-free Whakatipu and protect bird’s eggs, chicks and other native species.  For the sake of social causes, we also make annual donations to local charities and support local events.

We’re continually improving the sustainability of our operations by assessing the impact of existing practices, identifying new opportunities and evaluating our sustainability goals.