Boutique Wine Tour

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

Boutique Wine Tour from Queenstown

$
NZ$289 per adult
6 hours

10:00am - 4:00pm
and
11:00am – 5.00pm 


4

Premium Vineyards

Four premium tastings with lunch included

Discover world-class wines on this engaging Queenstown wine tour.

Designed to showcase the very best of the Central Otago wine region, this premium small-group tour offers the perfect introduction to the region’s award-winning wines. Filled with rich history, stunning landscapes and local cuisine, this a great day out for all. 

This all-inclusive experience includes tastings at four premium vineyards, across three contrasting wine sub-regions - Gibbston Valley, Cromwell and the Bannockburn basin. All tastings are prebooked and fully hosted, with each stop highlighting the unique character of Central Otago. Although the region is famous for Pinot Noir, tastings include a mixture of varietals at each venue. 

Savour a delicious platter-style lunch at Carrick Winery & Restaurant where you can take in the stunning panoramic views of Lake Dunstan. Featuring locally sourced produce, lunch will be accompanied by a flight of four estate wines. This is a standout experience and a true taste of Central Otago’s food and wine culture.

Itinerary for the day

The vineyards we visit on this tour change daily. We typically choose from Mt Rosa, Kinross, Misha's Vineyard, Te Kano Estate, Akarua Winery, Peregrine, Ayrburn, Waitiri Creek, Monte Christo, and Nockie's Palette. If there is a particular vineyard you would love to visit, be sure to mention this in the notes section upon booking.

Travel in comfort aboard a luxury Mercedes-Benz minivan while your specialist wine guide provides engaging commentary on the region’s wines, landscapes, and pioneering history. Enjoy a relaxed, informative, and entertaining experience from start to finish.

Children aged 6 – 17 years are welcome on our daily Boutique Wine Tour, making this a great choice for families travelling with children.

Children of all ages are welcome on our private tours.

pinot-noir-grapes-on-vines-central-otago-appellation-wine-tasting-tours

Inclusions

  • Complimentary pickup from Queenstown hotels

  • Taste wines from Gibbston, Cromwell and Bannockburn

  • Visit four boutique vineyards

  • Privately hosted cellar door experiences

  • Platter style lunch a Carrick Winery Restaurant

  • Visit to Old Cromwell Town (time permitting)

  • Full commentary from a specialist Wine Guide

  • NZD $289 per adult 
  • NZD $159 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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Steve W profile picture
Steve W
10 October 2026
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Excellent Wine Tour! Excellent experience with Appellation Wine Tours! The schedule and vineyards visited were wonderful, our guide was on-time and very helpful, all the logistics were great. We're very pleased and thankful, and so glad we did this!
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Michael O profile picture
Michael O
9 October 2026
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Tour of local wine producers in central Otago No-rush wine tour in central Otago.
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Heather S profile picture
Heather S
8 October 2026
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Traveling Sherros Had a great day with our friendly guide John. He provided interesting facts with a lovely sense of pride as a local. The wines were better than expected and higher quality than the ones we can buy at home in Australia. We highly recommend this tour with this company the experience is very enjoyable and very informative. Thanks John.
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Samuel Y.
6 October 2026
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Good Vibes All Around John was a class act of a guide — knowledgeable, hilarious and the works. We were also fortunate to have an energetic and fun tour group which made the experience all the more enjoyable. The wines were wonderful so we couldn’t help but purchase a bottle from each winery. They also went the extra mile to return us a pair of sunnies that we left behind straight to our hotel. Highly recommend.
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Georg K profile picture
Georg K
3 October 2026
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Perfect excursion Perfectly organized and good information from the driver and winery staff. We love Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir and therefore this area.
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belinda385 profile picture
belinda385
3 October 2026
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Belinda Jones This was a fantastic day! The wineries we went to were beautiful, the food and wine were amazing and our tour guide was very knowledgeable. We absolutely loved it.
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s8e046a7e183f4cba786
30 September 2026
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EXCELLENT TOUR Martin our guide was information and personable. The wineries were fantastic as was the wine. Lunch was amazing. I would highly recommend this tour.
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Krystal P profile picture
Krystal P
28 September 2026
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Five Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 We had the most wonderful day exploring the wineries with Martin and couldn’t recommend him highly enough! Martin’s knowledge of the area, together with his genuine love of the region, the wineries and what he does, was absolutely infectious. He brought the day to life with his stories, recommendations and local knowledge, and made us feel like we were discovering the very best of the region. His skills behind the camera also came in very handy throughout the day, he captured some beautiful moments for us, which was such an unexpected and thoughtful bonus! The absolute highlights of the day were Coal Pit Winery and our beautiful lunch at Mt Difficulty. Both were incredible, and Martin somehow managed to make every stop along the way feel just as special. He was professional, warm, knowledgeable and fun to spend the day with. We never felt rushed and could simply relax, enjoy the scenery, taste some beautiful wines and soak up the experience. Thank you, Martin, for making our day so memorable. We loved every minute and would absolutely recommend touring with Martin to anyone wanting to experience the region at its very best! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Krystal & Michael
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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 profile picture
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.

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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