Custom and Bespoke Wine Tours

Create your own dream tour!  From adventure to luxury and everything in between.

Custom and Bespoke Wine Tours

At Appellation Wine Tours, we specialise in creating customised and bespoke wine tours in Queenstown and Central Otago that are tailored to help every group make the most of their visit. Our private wine tours are ideal for special occasions such as birthdays, family reunions, hen’s parties, post-wedding celebrations, corporate groups, or any personalised travel experience where flexibility and exclusivity are important.

Whether you arrive with a clear idea of your itinerary or are looking for inspiration, our team can design a completely tailored experience based on your interests, timing, and budget. We offer a range of set itinerary ideas through our Queenstown private wine tours, as well as fully flexible options for those wanting something truly unique or extraordinary in the Central Otago region.

Our custom wine tours in Queenstown can accommodate any group size, from couples through to large groups of 60+ guests, and can be arranged for any duration. Options range from simple return transfers to a single vineyard through to full-day bespoke itineraries featuring multiple cellar doors, scenic stops, and additional activities. Experiences can also be extended to include adventure activities such as jet boating, gold panning, or scenic helicopter flights, creating a complete Queenstown experience beyond wine tasting alone.

We also have access to exclusive local partner rates, allowing us to incorporate additional activities and experiences at competitive pricing while ensuring excellent value.

Our fleet includes everything from luxury sedans to large coaches, allowing us to cater to both intimate private groups and large-scale events. Depending on group size, we can design itineraries where guests travel together across vineyards or split into smaller groups before meeting for shared lunches or combined experiences. Every itinerary is fully customised to ensure a seamless and memorable private wine touring experience in Queenstown and Central Otago.

Sample Custom Wine Tours

We can customise a tour to suit your needs, time available, and budget. Here are a few examples of what we can put together for you:

  • electric vehicle parked outside mt rosa winery
  • Afternoon Outing – Visiting a local vineyard for a wine tasting and a local brewery for a craft beer and wood-fired pizzas, then finish with a visit to historic Arrowtown.
  • Adventure and Wine – An adventurous bungy jump or jet boat ride down the Kawarau river followed by 2 -3 vineyards for wine tasting and lunch.
  • Total Luxury – Consider a spectacular helicopter flight through the Remarkable Mountains with an alpine landing, then visit our selection of vineyards with an a la carte lunch at Mt Difficulty (or similar).
  • Hens party / Bachelorette party – A wine tasting trail with the bride-to-be in mind. Enjoy a variety of tastings together including a tour through Gibbston Valley wine cave, and antipasto platters with sparkling wine to celebrate.

Frequently Asked Questions

All tours include complimentary hotel pickups from central Queenstown hotels. If you are staying outside central Queenstown or in alternative accommodation, we can usually arrange a pickup for you.

Please select your hotel from the dropdown menu when booking. If your accommodation is not listed or you are unsure, simply note where you are staying in the booking notes and we will confirm your pickup location and time with you.
We keep our daily tours to a maximum of 12 adults to ensure a personalised and interactive experience. If you have a larger group or would like a private tour, we can accommodate almost any size. Just send us your details through the enquiry form.
While our tours require a minimum of 2 people to run, single travellers are generally welcome, as there are usually other guests booked on the tour.
Children aged 6-17 are welcome on our daily wine tours. Children of any age can join our Queenstown Highlights Tour, while those aged 5 or under are welcome on private tours.
Yes – all vineyards offer shipping, though availability depends on the destination country. Each vineyard will run through these options at the end of your tasting. If there is a particular wine you are interested in trying or purchasing, please let us know when booking.
Our tours are all inclusive, with food, transport and wine tastings at each winery included in the price. You are more then welcome to purchase any favourite wines during the tour to take home or have shipped to your address.
We believe that to truly experience Central Otago wine, you need to go beyond the Gibbston Valley.
Appellation Wine Tours specialises in exploring Central Otago’s most celebrated wine sub-regions, including:

• Gibbston Valley (Valley of the Vines): home to pioneering vineyards and dramatic scenery.
• Bannockburn: renowned for its concentrated yet elegant Pinot Noir.
• Cromwell/Lowburn: known for beautifully balanced aromatic wines and outstanding Chardonnay.

To gain a genuine “Central Otago” experience, we believe it’s essential to venture into the Bannockburn and Cromwell regions and tastes their award-winning varietals.

Our Gourmet Food and Wine Tour and Boutique Wine Tour both visit the Gibbston wine sub-region (approximately 25 minutes from Queenstown) and the Bannockburn/Cromwell

Wine sub-regions (a further 25 minutes through the stunning Kawarau Gorge).

Our Classic Wine Tour focuses solely on the Gibbston Valley, visiting a carefully curated mix of larger, well-known wineries and smaller, family-run boutique vineyards.

Each sub-region has its own microclimate and story. We hand-select vineyards known for quality, warm hospitality, and distinctive winemaking philosophies. Expect a mix of iconic estates and hidden gems that give you a true taste of Central Otago.
We like to vary our vineyard visits from day to day, however some vineyards are exclusive to specific tours. Below is a selection of vineyards that may be visited on each tour, but please feel free to mention any preferences in the notes section when booking.

Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
Gibbston Valley Winery, Mt Rosa, Waitiri Creek, Brennan, Domain Rd, Terra Sancta, Te Kano, Carrick (tasting only), Akarua, Mt Difficulty, Misha's Vineyard, Domaine Thompson, The Stoaker Room (lunch venue), The Church.

Boutique Wine Tour
Peregrine, Amisfield, Chard Farm, Kinross, Mt Rosa, Waitiri Creek, Brennan, Matt Dicey, Terra Sancta, Te Kano, Carrick (lunch venue), Akarua, Mt Difficulty, Misha's Vineyard, Domaine Thompson, The Church.

Classic Wine Tour
Gibbston Valley Winery, Mt Rosa, Waitiri Creek, Brennan, Amisfield, Peregrine, The Church.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our tours are all inclusive, with food, transport and wine tastings at each winery included in the price. You are more then welcome to purchase any favourite wines during the tour to take home or have shipped to your address.
We believe that to truly experience Central Otago wine, you need to go beyond the Gibbston Valley.
Appellation Wine Tours specialises in exploring Central Otago’s most celebrated wine sub-regions, including:

• Gibbston Valley (Valley of the Vines): home to pioneering vineyards and dramatic scenery.
• Bannockburn: renowned for its concentrated yet elegant Pinot Noir.
• Cromwell/Lowburn: known for beautifully balanced aromatic wines and outstanding Chardonnay.
To gain a genuine “Central Otago” experience, we believe it’s essential to venture into the Bannockburn and Cromwell regions and tastes their award-winning varietals.

Our Gourmet Food and Wine Tour and Boutique Wine Tour both visit the Gibbston wine sub-region (approximately 25 minutes from Queenstown) and the Bannockburn/Cromwell wine sub-regions (a further 25 minutes through the stunning Kawarau Gorge).

Our Classic Wine Tour focuses solely on the Gibbston Valley, visiting a carefully curated mix of larger, well-known wineries and smaller, family-run boutique vineyards.

Each sub-region has its own microclimate and story. We hand-select vineyards known for quality, warm hospitality, and distinctive winemaking philosophies. Expect a mix of iconic estates and hidden gems that give you a true taste of Central Otago.
We like to vary our vineyard visits from day to day, however some vineyards are exclusive to specific tours. Below is a selection of vineyards that may be visited on each tour, but please feel free to mention any preferences in the notes section when booking.

Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
Gibbston Valley Winery, Mt Rosa, Waitiri Creek, Brennan, Domain Rd, Terra Sancta, Te Kano, Carrick (tasting only), Akarua, Mt Difficulty, Misha's Vineyard, Domaine Thompson, The Stoaker Room (lunch venue), The Church.

Boutique Wine Tour
Peregrine, Amisfield, Chard Farm, Kinross, Mt Rosa, Waitiri Creek, Brennan, Matt Dicey, Terra Sancta, Te Kano, Carrick (lunch venue), Akarua, Mt Difficulty, Misha's Vineyard, Domaine Thompson, The Church.

Classic Wine Tour
Gibbston Valley Winery, Mt Rosa, Waitiri Creek, Brennan, Amisfield, Peregrine, The Church.
All tours include complimentary hotel pickups from central Queenstown hotels. If you are staying outside central Queenstown or in alternative accommodation, we can usually arrange a pickup for you.

Please select your hotel from the dropdown menu when booking. If your accommodation is not listed or you are unsure, simply note where you are staying in the booking notes and we will confirm your pickup location and time with you.
We keep our daily tours to a maximum of 12 adults to ensure a personalised and interactive experience. If you have a larger group or would like a private tour, we can accommodate almost any size. Just send us your details through the enquiry form.
Children aged 6-17 are welcome on our daily wine tours. Children of any age can join our Queenstown Highlights Tour, while those aged 5 or under are welcome on private tours.
Yes – all vineyards offer shipping, though availability depends on the destination country. Each vineyard will run through these options at the end of your tasting. If there is a particular wine you are interested in trying or purchasing, please let us know when booking.

Multi Award Winning Wine Tours

Don't just take our word for it! Our reviews speak for themselves...
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Lisa F profile picture
Lisa F
25 September 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Great experience great tour guide I thought our tour guide TAIMI was terrific and would thoroughly recommend this tour
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Adam F profile picture
Adam F
24 September 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Great experience Paul was an awesome driver and the wineries were great. Would definitely go again.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Ashley L profile picture
Ashley L
22 September 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Beautiful Day Out This was a lovely day out with some stunning additional scenic stops. Great wineries and a delicious lunch. Our guide, John was knowledgeable and fun. Being a small group was nice, as you could meet and chat to other travellers
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Justin S profile picture
Justin S
21 September 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Great private wine tour from Queenstown. Highly recommended! We had a great wine tour with our guide John. The 3 wineries and tastings at each were superb, especially the cave tasting at the last stop. And John showed us the original bungy bridge along the way which inspired my fiancé to take the plunge and try it the next day. (When I asked her if interested upon arrival in Queenstown she said “no way in h3ll am I bungy jumping!!” lol). Great tour and John was so much fun and easy to talk to. Would recommend this to anyone visiting Queenstown interested in a half day tour!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Karen profile picture
Karen
18 September 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Take this tour Excellent guide, very knowledgeable and personable.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
s8e046a7e183f4cba710 profile picture
s8e046a7e183f4cba710
18 September 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Highly Recommend Great tour with great wine and food! Comfortable bus to get around and very informative tour guide. Pick up was great right from our hotel so no stress and dropped back there.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
shereen e profile picture
shereen e
16 September 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Sensational winery experience Wonderful day! The tour guide/bus driver was amazing! Wineries were fantastic and so was the lunch.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Peter L profile picture
Peter L
16 September 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Exceptional What a fabulous guide. So knowledgable and friendly
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Alexia H profile picture
Alexia H
15 September 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Super great Super fun day & great value for money!! Taimi was an incredible tour guide
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
alexalemon profile picture
alexalemon
15 September 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Perfect day of adventure & indulgence We had an excellent time on the zip & sip tour with our zip line guides (Ben & Ben) and our wine tour host, John. We loved the small wineries John took us to. He was very knowledgeable of the area and the wine we were tasting. He even took us to a surprise viewpoint during golden hour to capture sunset. I would recommend this package to any traveler who is looking for a morning of adventure and an afternoon of indulgence.
phonechevron-down