Private Signature Wine Tour

From NZ$419 per person

4 hours

1pm – 5.00pm

Premium Vineyards

While away the afternoon in the "Valley of the Vines".

Spend an afternoon being chauffeured by your specialist wine guide exploring the pioneering Central Otago wine region of Gibbston, also aptly named, the “Valley of Vines”.

You will visit three of the best cellar doors in the area including a guided tour through New Zealand’s largest wine cave. Take time to enjoy a shared platter lunch accompanied by glass of wine at a vineyard restaurant. Taste outstanding Pinot Noir, delicate refined Riesling, rich Pinot Gris and stylish Chardonnay - all in one afternoon!

Enjoy the knowledge and passion from your guide; soak up all the information including the evolving history of Gibbston from just a couple of vines into a full valley producing world-renowned Pinot Noir. This tour is perfect if you only have an afternoon spare, or are travelling with small children who would benefit from limited driving times.

appellation-wine-tasting-tours-photo-vineyard-blue-sky-sunny-mountains-central-otago

Inclusions

Return hotel transfers in a luxury vehicle
Wines across 3 hosted tastings
Guided tour through Gibbston Valley Winery's underground wine cave
Gourmet Platter lunch
A glass of premium wine with lunch
Abundant sightseeing opportunities catered to your interests
Full running commentary on the sights, wine and history of the region
Groups of 4-11 adults: $419 per person
Groups of 2-3 adults: $495 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...

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 1485 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Lisa F 
 25 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Great experience great tour guide
I thought our tour guide TAIMI was terrific and would thoroughly recommend this tour
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Adam F 
 24 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Great experience
Paul was an awesome driver and the wineries were great. Would definitely go again.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Ashley L 
 22 September 2026
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   Justin S 
 21 September 2026
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   Karen 
 18 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Take this tour
Excellent guide, very knowledgeable and personable.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   s8e046a7e183f4cba710 
 18 September 2026
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   shereen e 
 16 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Sensational winery experience
Wonderful day! The tour guide/bus driver was amazing! Wineries were fantastic and so was the lunch.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Peter L 
 16 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Exceptional
What a fabulous guide. So knowledgable and friendly
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Alexia H 
 15 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Super great
Super fun day & great value for money!! Taimi was an incredible tour guide
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   alexalemon 
 15 September 2026
 
 
 Verified 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

Where do tours depart from and how does pick-up work?

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.

How many people are on each tour?

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.

Do you have a minimum number of people needed for your tours?

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.

Are children welcome on our tours?

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.

Can you buy wine and do vineyards offer shipping?

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.

What is included in our tours?

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.

Which wine regions and vineyards do Appellation Wine Tours visit?

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.

What vineyards do you visit?

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.