Classic Wine Tour

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

Classic Wine Tour

$
NZD $239 pp
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 $239 per adult
  • NZD $139 per child (aged 6 -17 years)

Multi Award Winning Wine Tours

Don't just take our word for it! Our reviews speak for themselves...
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Compass780849
15 August 2026
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Sightseeing This was a enjoyable and relaxing trip to see and experience the area around Queenstown.
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Natasha P
6 August 2026
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Amazing, spectacular, breath taking! Taimi our tour guide was very informative, the tour wasn’t crowded just 6 people which I found great, extremely worth doing it, got lots of great photos to show when we go back to Australia.😊
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Oscar W
1 August 2026
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Absolutely worth it. Taimi was a fantastic tour guide. Very knowledgeable of the wineries and history of the surrounding area. Great restaurant recommendations too. Very enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
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Joe M
23 July 2026
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Definitely a 5 star rating highly recommend Love the experience, Martin was our tour guide he was so knowledgeable on what he was explaining both on and off the bus. I can honestly say our experience was the best experience on our trip to NZ, Queenstown. Thank you again a great experience to do for my Birthday!!!🫡
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Vicki C
20 July 2026
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Best Boutique Tour We had the best day out with our tour guide John. He made everyone feel so welcome and his knowledge of the wineries and Queenstown was amazing. Our bus had 3 couples including us and we had so much fun, lots of laughs together. Highly recommend this tour, best day out and best value. Every winery was fantastic.
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Jim Solomon
12 July 2026
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Flexible and Terrific We had a wonderful trip to the Central Otaga region, and our driver Craig was terrific. Informative and funny. The wines were great, and we really like the way Appellation Wine Tours worked with us to pick the right wineries and wines for us based on our preferences. The charcuterie board for lunch was outstanding. Highly recommend them. Thanks for a great birthday outing!
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Donna C
7 July 2026
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Long weekend getaway Due to cancelled plans we booked this tour on a whim and it didn't disappoint. It was the most relaxing, informative and ultimate scenic tour. The bus and tour operator were first class. Highly recommend to anyone
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FarAway28513396673
6 July 2026
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Easygoing morning strolls We enjoyed getting the chance to go on a tour of Queenstown’s closest sights, and Craig was a wonderful conversationalist and affable guide for it all. Thanks!
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Ashley F
5 July 2026
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Worth it! We really enjoyed our food and wine tour. The pick up and drop off are super convenient. We had a great group of 7 other tourists on our tour and the lunch was so delicious. Our guide, Graeme, shared great information and history about all of the wineries and the region.
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Jessica S
21 June 2026
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One of the best wine tour experiences I have had This was an amazing tour with different wines and vineyard stories and an amazing food experience at The Stoker Room in the middle and a cheese platter to end. Every vineyard we visited created a personable experience which no doubt can be attributed to the relationship held with Appellation Wine Tours and our excellent guide Marty. It was truly one of the best wine tours I have experienced and I will be recommending this experience to my friends and family.

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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