Twilight Stars and Wine Tour

Shared Tour

NZ$599 per person

4.5 hours

5.00pm – 9.30pm

Premium Locations

An indulgent and diverse evening of fine dining, wine tasting and stars

As the sun begins to dip behind the Remarkables mountains, your winter twilight tour begins with a complimentary hotel pick up where you'll meet your wine guide and host for the evening. Be introduced to the night ahead - a celebration of Central Otago wine, seasonal cuisine, and one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most spectacular night skies.

Your first stop is the luxurious Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa, nestled in the pioneering Pinot Noir region. Here, your expert guide will take you on a storytelling journey, bringing to life the rich history and significance of this remarkable landscape. Once seated, enjoy an à la carte main course thoughtfully paired with a duo of wines. Relax into your surroundings, soak up the atmosphere, and savour the refined elegance of this five-star lodge.

The journey continues with a short drive to Waitiri Creek Cellar Door for a hosted wine tasting. Beautifully complemented by a decadent dessert platter, this experience is a treat in every sense. As you indulge, you’ll gain deeper insight into the region’s winemaking heritage and distinctive terroir.

As night falls, the final stop evokes a true sense of wonder. Settle in for a guided stargazing experience at Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park. Using telescopes and laser pointers, your host brings the southern night sky into vivid focus, revealing constellations, planets, and celestial phenomena. There will be an opportunity for a photo under the stars taken by an astro-photographer.

As your evening draws to a close, you’ll be returned to your hotel, taking with you the memories of an unforgettable night of fine wine, outstanding food, and a deeper appreciation for Central Otago after dark.

Inclusions

Complimentary return hotel transfers
À la carte meal at Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa
Hosted wine tasting and dessert at Waitiri Creek
90 minute guided star gazing experience
Complimentary photo under the stars by astro-photographer
NZD $599 per adult on a shared tour

* While we always hope for clear southern skies, weather conditions can sometimes prevent the stargazing portion of your evening from going ahead. Should this occur on the day of your tour, we’ll seamlessly replace it with another memorable final destination. Instead, finish the evening at one of Arrowtown’s hidden cocktail venues, where you can enjoy handcrafted cocktails, soak up the atmosphere and round off a wonderful evening.

Multi Award Winning Wine Tours

Don't just take our word for it! Our reviews speak for themselves...

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 1475 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Helen F 
 14 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Happy days We are loving our visit to Queenstown and this winery tour was a fantastic way to spend the day. Apart from the wine, you got to see the countryside and get a fabulous run-down from guide John. We got picked up and dropped off at our hotel and the group of participants was small and fun. The wine servings were very generous, and the lunch was very tasty. I would highly recommend this tour.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Julie P 
 7 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Excellent tour I am very impressed with Appellation tours. From the first time I enquired about a private tour with Jade to the end result they were very professional and efficient. Phil was our driver and host for our tour, and he was excellent, very informative, very knowledgeable and he really made our tour enjoyable. I would definitely recommend to friends and would definitely use Appellation again Thanks Julie
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   s8e046a7e183f4cba255 
 31 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Queenstown 6 hour Boutique Wine Tour Beautiful afternoon driving through three different wine regions and visiting four boutique wineries. The scenery was breathtaking the entire way, the wines were delicious, and the people on the tour were fantastic. It was also really easy to order bottles and have them shipped home. Highly recommend this tour — it was the perfect, fabulous ending in New Zealand!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   190clementt 
 31 August 2026
 
 
 Verified If it rains. Drink Wine! It was pouring like Crazy which made the next day’s Milford Sounds tour spectacular but we found a way to still enjoy Queenstown and not get wet by going on this amazing wine tour. It totally changed our perspective on what Sauvignon Blanca (which i never used to drink) and Pinot Noirs could be. Special mention to Kinross Winery and Carrick Winery for their spectacular wines and views. Also not to forget our very entertaining guide Martin.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   tw 
 31 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Awesome wine tour! Awesome private wine tour experience with Lindsay! We got picked up directly from our accommodation and chauffeured to three unique tasting experiences. The first was the most elaborate in a private room showcasing the highest quality wines in the area. Then we were treated next door to a lunch of charcuterie and fries, followed by a much more public and casual cave tasting. Finally we finished off with a relaxed wine tasting at Monte Christo. Would have to say our driver, Lindsay, was the highlight of our trip! We loved spending time with him and learning about his experiences. Would highly recommend the tour :)
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Debra C 
 28 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Excellent A friend as part of our group booked the tour it was fantastic! Our guide Taini was wonderful- knowledgeable fun & a good driver We all enjoyed the experience & would book again when next in Queenstown ( hoping to get back soon with family to give them this amazing experience)
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Keith F 
 28 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Amazing Fantastic day with an amazing tour guide
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Peter W 
 23 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Another exceptional experience - the only way to go Exceptional. Tops every alternate wine tour option from Queenstown that we have done. Marten was an amazing guide and companion again this year. Have next year's mapped out already. Private tastings and Lunch with an Appellation Private Tour is the only way to go.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Poppy K 
 23 August 2026
 
 
 Verified The best way to get our to the wineries! Phil was fabulous! Kept us to our timing but was friendly and fun, we had such a great day.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Passport38924464817 
 22 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Fab day at the wineries Phil was a fab guide and driver, he adapted to our groups vibe and facilitated a great day. The wineries were all in beautiful locations and generous with the tastings. Booking was really easy and the reservations team were really accommodating to our groups requests. Thank you for a lovely day

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.