Classic Wine Tour

A fun and interactive afternoon wine tour exploring the “Valley of the Vines” Gibbston region.

Classic Wine Tour

$
NZ$249 per adult
4 hours

1.30pm – 5.30pm

3

Premium Vineyards

Three tastings in the "Valley of the Vines", with antipasto

Discover the flavours of Central Otago on this relaxed afternoon escape through Gibbston, Queenstown's celebrated "Valley of the Vines."


Visit three Top Wineries of the Gibbston region

This immersive wine experience is perfect for those short on time. It showcases the region's world-class wines, warm southern hospitality and spectacular scenery. You will visit three distinctive cellar doors and enjoy a selection of premium cool-climate wines, including Central Otago's iconic Pinot Noir and aromatic whites. Step beneath the vines for a guided tour and tasting inside New Zealand's largest underground wine cave, then savour a delicious shared antipasto platter accompanying one of your tastings.

Throughout the afternoon, your knowledgeable Wine Guide will share the fascinating story of Central Otago's remarkable wine journey, and how it became one of the world's most acclaimed Pinot Noir regions! Bringing the landscape, people, and wines to life along the way, this is a tour you won't forget. 

Sip in Comfort and Luxury

Guests will enjoy premium wine tastings at three venues. A shared antipasto board accompanies one tasting, enhancing the experience with carefully paired local flavours.

Travel aboard a luxury Mercedes-Benz minivan, while your expert wine guide delivers engaging commentary. Learn about the history, landscape, and evolution of Central Otago’s wine industry. From its early beginnings to its reputation today as one of the world’s leading Pinot Noir regions, this tour offers both an educational and enjoyable experience.

Children on Tour

Children aged 6–17 years are welcome on this Queenstown wine tour, although restrictions apply at certain venues. Guests under 17 are not permitted inside the Gibbston Valley underground wine cave, and must remain in the cellar door under supervision while the cave experience takes place (approximately 30–45 minutes). Private wine tours offer greater flexibility for families, including the option to substitute wineries or arrange alternative tasting experiences to suit all ages.

Inclusions

  • Complimentary hotel transfers (choose from dropdown menu)
  • Enjoy tastings at 3 premium vineyards
  • Visit the Gibbston wine region
  • Expert wine guide 
  • Antipasto board accompanying a wine tasting
  • Guided tour through New Zealand's largest wine cave at Gibbston Valley Winery
  • NZD $249 per adult
  • NZD $139 per child - 6 to 17 years

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 profile picture
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 Daily Wine Tours...

The Central Otago wine region stretches from Queenstown’s Wakatipu Basin through picturesque valleys and dramatic gorges to the vine-covered foothills of Bannockburn and beyond.

The region is divided into six wine sub-regions, each with its own soils, climate and character. Two of our Daily Wine Tours visit three contrasting wine sub-regions, allowing you to experience the diversity that makes Central Otago wines so unique. As a result, you'll gain a deeper appreciation of the region's renowned Pinot Noir and aromatic white wines. 

Experience the Best of Central Otago Wine

Our carefully crafted Daily Wine Tours showcase the very best of the world's southernmost commercial wine-growing region. Tours operate daily and cater to a maximum of 12 guests, creating a relaxed and personalised experience while still offering a social atmosphere. 

The wineries featured on our tours vary from day to day, ensuring ever experience is unique. However, we are happy to accommodate winery requests where possible. Depending on availability, your tour may include renowned wineries such as Mt Difficulty, Chard Farm, Amisfield and Gibbston Valley Winery.

Choose the Tour That Suits You

Whether you're looking for a full-day wine adventure, a half-day escape, or a relaxed afternoon of wine tasting, there's a tour to suit your schedule. Along the way, our passionate Wine Guides will share local stories, regional history, and insights into the wines that have made Central Otago famous around the world.

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 Daily Wine & Sightseeing Tours...

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