Private Boutique Wine Tour

An unforgettable half day exploration of Central Otago’s boutique vineyards with lunch included.

Private Boutique Wine Tour

$
From $489 per adult
5.5 hours

11.00am – 4.30pm

4

Premium Locations

Four premium vineyards over three contrasting wine sub-regions.

Taste award-winning wines at four of the region’s premium boutique vineyards. The wine region is divided into six sub-regions, each with its own soils, climate and character. This exclusive tour allows you delve into these, venturing through three contrasting wine sub-regions; Gibbston, Cromwell and the Bannockburn basin.

Indulge at renowned Mt Difficulty vineyard & restaurant for lunch, savoring a delicious platter made with the finest and freshest produce. You will also be welcomed to choose an accompanying glass of premium wine.

You will also have an opportunity to retrace history by wandering around the charming historical precinct of Old Cromwell. We can include other sightseeing such as AJ Hackett Bungy or Arrowtown where time permits.

Sit back, relax and let your specialist Wine Guide do the rest! They will take you off the beaten track to explore dramatic scenery and pioneering history, all from the comfort of your luxury touring vehicle. This tour is great for couples, or small groups of friends.

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Inclusions

  • Return hotel transfers in a luxury vehicle
  • Taste wines at 4 premium boutique vineyards
  • Premium lunch with a glass of wine 
  • Visit Old Cromwell Town (optional)
  • Stroll around vines and take in the breathtaking views of the Bannockburn Inlet and Lake Dunstan
  • Full commentary on the sights, wine and early history of the region
  • View the historic Kawarau Bridge and AJ Hackett Bungy (optional)
  • An array of sightseeing and photographic opportunities
  • Groups of 4-11 adults: $489 per person
  • Groups of 2-3 adults: $579 per person
  • Solo guest: Please contact us directly

Multi Award Winning Wine Tours

Don't just take our word for it! Our reviews speak for themselves...
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Lisa F profile picture
Lisa F
25 September 2026
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Great experience great tour guide I thought our tour guide TAIMI was terrific and would thoroughly recommend this tour
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Adam F
24 September 2026
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Great experience Paul was an awesome driver and the wineries were great. Would definitely go again.
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Ashley L
22 September 2026
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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
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Justin S profile picture
Justin S
21 September 2026
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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!
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Karen
18 September 2026
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Take this tour Excellent guide, very knowledgeable and personable.
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s8e046a7e183f4cba710
18 September 2026
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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.
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shereen e
16 September 2026
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Sensational winery experience Wonderful day! The tour guide/bus driver was amazing! Wineries were fantastic and so was the lunch.
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Peter L
16 September 2026
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Exceptional What a fabulous guide. So knowledgable and friendly
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Alexia H
15 September 2026
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Super great Super fun day & great value for money!! Taimi was an incredible tour guide
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alexalemon
15 September 2026
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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.

More about our Private Wine Tours...

If you are the more discerning wine lover, or would simply prefer the flexibility of a private tour, then together we can customise your Central Otago wine experience. 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. Let us custom design your wine touring experience, or alternatively, let us know where you would like to visit and we will arrange this all for you.

Appellation private wine tours below are designed for 2-9 guests. If your group is more than this, you might like to check out our Custom Wine & Bespoke Tours for custom tours or, otherwise all of our Daily Wine Tours can be run privately for groups.

Lastly, we know our region well, and include visits to any sub-region. Wanaka is a popular destination to visit and we can easily combine activities, lunch and vineyard visits on private tours. Please make an enquiry with your dream tour and let us do the rest!

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.

More Private Wine Tours...

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