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Written by Appellation Wine Tours
When winter arrives in Queenstown, the landscape transforms into a snow-covered playground framed by dramatic peaks and world-class vineyards. As a local wine tour company, we believe winter is one of the most magical times to experience the region - where powder days meet pinot noir, and adrenaline meets indulgence.
If you’re planning a winter escape, read on below for your guide to the best things to do in Queenstown in winter, with a special focus on unforgettable wine tour experiences.
No winter trip to Queenstown is complete without carving fresh powder. The region boasts four major ski fields, including the iconic Coronet Peak - just 25 minutes from town and known for its night skiing.
From beginners to advanced riders, Queenstown’s ski scene delivers terrain for all skill levels, with breathtaking alpine views.
Pro tip from our team: Pair your ski day with a relaxed wine tour the next day - your legs will thank you!
After a day on the slopes, Queenstown comes alive with one of the best après-ski atmospheres in the Southern Hemisphere. Think mulled wine, craft beer, and vibrant waterfront bars.
This is where adventure meets indulgence—exactly what a winter vacation in Queenstown should feel like.
Pro tip from our team: For the ultimate Apres Ski vibe, head to Sundeck, Little Blackwood or Perky’s floating bar in the CBD. Whether you’re looking for a rooftop bar in Queenstown, cocktails with live music or a chilled vibe with bubbles and beer – its all here.
Winter is the perfect season to explore the vineyards of Gibbston Valley and beyond. Fewer crowds, cosy cellar doors, roaring fires and bold red wines create a truly intimate tasting experience. There is also no fear of being ‘’rained off’ as there can be with many other activities…no last-minute cancellation and change of plans!
Central Otago is globally celebrated for its Pinot Noir, known for vibrant fruit flavours and elegant structure.
At Appellation Wine Tours, we specialise in:
Why winter wine tours are special:
Stunning views with snow-capped mountains
Crackling fires and warm cellar doors
More personalised tastings due to less crowds
There are so many things to do in Queenstown in winter. However, nothing beats sinking into a hot pool while snow falls around you, or sweating it out in a sauna. Winter is the ideal time to unwind and recharge after a day of skiing or wine tasting.
How to spend one day in Queenstown: Start off with a slow morning and breakfast at Yonder. Here you will find top notch coffee and 10/10 service! This is also a great spot for vegetarian/vegan diets as well as knowing their way around a stellar brisket.
Next up, take a trip on the Skyline Gondola to Bobs Peak and get that iconic ‘’birds eye view’’ of Queenstown. Fight it out on the track and see who claims title as the Luge winner.
After a quick pit stop for lunch in the CBD (why not grab a Fergburger?!), join our Queenstown wine tour in the afternoon. Visiting the Gibbston wine region, you will enjoy wine tastings at 3 stunning locations as well as a delicious antipasto board.
Following your hotel drop off, round your evening off with a soak in the hot pools or sauna. There are many options to choose from in Queenstown, such as The Bathhouse, Aluume, O-Studio & Onsen. This is the ultimate Queenstown wellness experience.
If wine isn’t quite your thing, sit back and enjoy a guided scenic day out instead. Experience a beautiful sightseeing tour in Queenstown, Arrowtown and Arthurs Point.
Aptly named the Queenstown Highlights Tour for good reason!
Every view is postcard-worthy.
Combine Adventure with Wine Experiences
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, offering everything from jet boating to ziplining.
But what truly sets it apart is the ability to balance world class activities with premium wine experiences—often in the same day.
At Appellation Wine Tours, we help you do exactly that with our carefully planned Combo Tours:
Why Winter is the Best Time to Visit Queenstown
Winter in Queenstown isn’t just about snow—it’s about contrast:
With fewer crowds and a cosy alpine atmosphere, it’s the perfect time to experience the region like a local.
Plan Your Queenstown Winter Escape with Appellation Wine Tours
If you’re searching for the best Queenstown wine tours, look no further. At Appellation Wine Tours, we create curated experiences that showcase the very best of Central Otago—especially in winter.
👉 Explore more: https://appellationwinetours.nz/
Let us take you beyond the slopes and into the heart of New Zealand’s most celebrated wine region.
In just one weekend, this girls trip to Queenstown had it all. From heart-racing freefalls over the Shotover River and high-speed jet boat rides, to wine tasting in NZ’s largest wine cave and a surprisingly lovable 18km e-bike adventure.
Queenstown has been dubbed the ''Adventure Capital of the World'', and for good reason! Whether you’re craving adrenaline, scenic serenity, or just good wine and better company, this trip proves you can have it all in 48 hours.
It is an absolute hub of outdoor activities, endless dining opportunities & street performers. The streets are bustling and the coffee is GOOD. The town itself is full of stylish boutiques, cozy cafés, and buzzing cocktail bars. It's ideal for exploring with your besties. Splash out on a fancy dinner at a lakeside restaurant like Botswana Butchery or Rātā, and toast to friendship with local pinot noir.
Queenstown offers a magical mix of opportunities, making it a dream destination for a girls’ trip.
If you're visiting in winter, don’t miss the chance to hit the slopes at Coronet Peak or The Remarkables. Both are perfect for beginners and seasoned skiers. After a day on the snow, unwind with après-ski drinks by a roaring fire or explore Queenstown’s vibrant nightlife, with chic bars like Little Blackwood or cocktail lounges tucked into alpine-style settings.
In warmer months, opt for a lake cruise or a paddleboarding session on the crystal-clear water. No matter the season, Queenstown delivers unforgettable moments and Instagram-worthy backdrops. It’s more than a trip—it’s a chance to reconnect, recharge, and celebrate the joy of friendship.
👉 Read the full itinerary and get all the insider tips HERE
Photos courtesy of Sophie van Soest
Sophie and Jaime travelled to Queenstown as guests of Booking.com and Destination Queenstown.
Proudly introducing sustainable transportation with electric vans (EVs) into their fleet. Appellation Wine Tours have been the leading provider of immersive wine experiences in the Central Otago region for over 24 years. This significant investment underscores the company's commitment to long-term sustainability. It sets a new standard for eco-conscious tourism in the area.
The introduction of these state-of-the-art EVs aligns seamlessly with the company's mission. With this intention, Appellation aim to provide unforgettable wine tours while prioritising sustainability. They are reducing their carbon footprint and promoting environmentally conscious tourism, thanks to their new fleet of electric vans.
First in the Region to Offer Wine Tours in an EV: Appellation Wine Tours takes pride in being the first in the Central Otago region to pioneer wine tours in an EV. They are leading the way in sustainable travel experiences.
This ground-breaking move with electric vans reinforces the company's dedication. With this in mind and a big focus on showcasing the finest vineyards and scenery while prioritising eco-friendly practices, Appellation are enhancing the overall experience for their valued customers.
Sarah Russell, General Manager of Appellation Wine Tours expressed enthusiasm about this eco-conscious initiative, stating -
"At Appellation Wine Tours, we are always thinking about our environmental impact and going electric made sense. We want to continue to provide exceptional experiences whilst also contributing toward a more sustainable future.”
“The introduction of the Ford Transit EVs represents a significant step towards decarbonisation and a sustainable future for tourism in the Central Otago region."
The new Ford Transit Electric Vans are now in operation. Appellation Wine Tours invites wine enthusiasts and eco-conscious travellers to come. They can embark on unforgettable journeys throughout the breath-taking landscapes of Central Otago.
If you'd like to see more ways in which Queenstown as a whole is aiming towards its goal to ''Electrify Queenstown''...take a look here. With a goal of being carbon zero by 2030, there's a lot of changes pending. This includes the transition to electric vans.
If you're planning what to do for 10 days in New Zealand, leaving your rental wheels behind and allowing the team from Appellation Wine Tours to drive you direct to Central Otago's premium vineyards is a must. A highlight of the half-day "Valley of the Wines" tour is a visit to the impressively carved wine cave at the venerable Gibbston Valley Winery where you can sample and buy some of the stellar region's finest drops, including its pioneering pinot noirs. The visit is one of a selection of itineraries on offer if you're looking for ideas on what to do 10 Days in New Zealand. See appellationwinetours.nz
New Zealand’s luxury lodges, invariably owned by wealthy and visionary American benefactors, enjoy an international reputation for their superb locations, sumptuous comforts and fine food and wine. The embodiment of this characteristically Kiwi-style of accommodation is the contemporary Matakauri Lodge, discreetly perched beside a serene stretch of majestic Lake Wakatipu, minutes outside of QueenstownIt's the perfect place to stay if you're wondering what to do 10 days in New Zealand. The tariffs may be as steep as the adjacent mountainsides but the experience is well worth the splurge. See robertsonlodges.com
Where is New Zealand's best restaurant? Auckland? Wellington? Christchurch? No, it's the longstanding and long well-regarded winery restaurant, Amisfield, set at a crossroads on Queenstown's outskirts. In part thanks to it being named Cuisine magazine's 2022 restaurant of the year, there's often a waitlist as long as the wine list for precious tables, a must-visit if planning what to do 10 days in New Zealand. Book ahead if you want to experience chef Vaughan Mabee's skilled and innovative interpretation of the tastes of Aotearoa. See amisfield.co.nz
Time for a break from the puffer and the beanie brigades? If so, all arrows point to a more subdued Arrowtown, only 20 minutes but a world away from Queenstown. A gold rush-era relic, Arrowtown's delightfully-preserved main street includes some suitably golden Kiwi eateries such as the Northern Italian-themed Aosta and its casual offshoot, Little Aosta. Nearby, The Dishery, a most agreeable bistro-style newcomer, open for breakfast and lunch, is helmed by Amisfield chefs and wait staff. Adding a detour to Arrowtown is a great idea when deciding what to do 10 days in New Zealand. See thedishery.co.nz; littleaosta.co.nz; arrowtown.com
Once a 19th-century New Zealand Shipping Office, the rustic Boat Shed Cafe & Bistro is on the shores of the aforementioned lake and, framed by those pleasantly omnipresent snow-capped peaks, a little away from busy central Queenstown. Breakfast, brunch or lunch al fresco and heartily on the deck in summer or snuggled up inside near a raging fire in winter. You won't go wrong with the typically robust Kiwi coffee here either. See boatshedqueenstown.co.nz
The chic Kamana Lakehouse bills itself as the highest altitude hotel-cum-resort in Queenstown, and while it's not exactly set right atop a mountain, its lofty position affords knockout views of the aptly-named The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu. The glass-encased, panorama-packing Nest restaurant is perhaps Queenstown's most imposing dining room. There are also some fancy, semi-outdoor and private hot-tubs, replete with views, available for rental houseguests. Adding what to do 10 days in New Zealand often includes staying at remarkable hotels like Kamana. See kamana.co.nz
Hit the wondrously winding road to Glenorchy for a glorious 45-minute alpine drive from Queenstown. Nestled on the northern shores of the lake, Glenorchy itself is more village than town with the point of the trip being the sight of the dramatic surrounding Middle Earth scenery which acted as locations for The Lord of the Rings and Narnia flicks. It's also action stations central for everything from jet boating to cycling and walking to kayaking. See queenstownnz.co.nz
Thermal hot-springs-blessed Kiwis adore a good soak, as they call a therapeutic steamy dip, so it's no wonder that the well-run Japanese-style Onsen, nestled in the mountains at Arthurs Point, is so popular. Reserve your private, cedar-lined bath well before your head across that other well-filled tub known as the Tasman. You can order wine and snacks as you immerse yourself in both the warm waters and the surrounding mountains and valley outlook, adding relaxation to your list of what to do 10 days in New Zealand. See onsen.co.nz
In the middle of a frigid Queenstown winter, or for that matter any season, there are few cosy and more congenial places to eat and drink than Tanoshi, an izakaya (a lively Japanese bar serving small, typically inexpensive, dishes and drinks). Tucked away in the always mooing Cow Lane in the lively Queenstown CBD, perch yourself up at the counter for the best view of the action and some craic with the amiable crew. See tanoshi.co.nz
Rather than flying in directly, tackle the so-called "Powder Highway" to Queenstown from Christchurch. This almost 500-kilometre inland scenic road trip traces its route along the mighty Southern Alps with the drive at its most dramatic in winter. Including a scenic drive as one of the activities is popular when planning what to do 10 days in New Zealand. See christchurchnz.com
Anthony Dennis visited as a guest of Tourism New Zealand, QueenstownNZ and Air New Zealand. See newzealand.com; queenstownnz.co.nz; airnewzealand.com.au
QUEENSTOWN IS BEST known as New Zealand’s adventure travel capital, with its ski fields on the imposing Remarkables and surrounding mountains, jet-boat rides and, of course, bungee jumping. But this South Island town has also become an epicentre for sustainable tourism ventures. These ventures address the growing demand for more environmentally responsible holidays. Embrace the thrilling organic wine trail here by doing the rounds of certified-organic wineries. These wineries make magnificent pinot noirs and white varietals. Take a tour of rugged Queenstown backcountry in a Tesla Model X powered by renewable energy. Then, return to town for a night of locally sourced fine dining. Finally, retire to a five-star hotel that’s enthusiastically embraced sustainable practices.
Encouraging the drive to more responsible tourism is a national government with an appetite to address the challenges of climate change. This government has committed the country to becoming a world leader in climate action. Then there’s the partnership between Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand, the Department of Conservation and the Maori tourism body, among others, to develop the Tiaki Promise. This initiative encourages both overseas and Kiwi travellers to experience the country in a considerate way. It aims to protect New Zealand’s environment for future generations and respects local cultures. Visitors are asked to commit to the Tiaki Promise at the beginning of their journey to New Zealand. For full details, go to tiakinewzealand.com, perhaps before embarking on the organic wine trail.
The Central Otago wine region is home to dozens of world-class wineries, including more than its fair share of organic producers. In fact, around 25 per cent of the vineyard land area in the region is certified organic or biodynamic. This is well above the national average. Appellation Wine Tours can create a customized itinerary. This itinerary will allow visits to the cellar doors of some of the leading sustainable wineries along the organic wine trail of Central Otago. This may include Quartz Reef, a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking led by Austrian-born Rudi Bauer. Bauer converted the first vineyard in the region to organic production, starting the process in 1989. This process took three years to complete. You can sample Quartz Reef’s award-winning biodynamic sparkling wines, pinot gris, and pinot noir at its tasting room in the town of Cromwell.
Then there’s Peregrine, on the main road out of Queenstown in the Gibbston Valley. It was certified organic across its range of whites and pinot noir in 2017. Peregrine director Fraser McLachlan says being organic “is a no-brainer for us”. “As a kid I sprayed herbicide [in the vineyard] but I didn’t understand it. Now that we’ve converted to organic, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s just as commercially viable as non-organics once you get through the conversion process. The process is better for the environment and it’s better for our staff, knowing they're part of the organic wine trail. They know that they’re not having to inhale or touch poisonous products. Additionally, they know the soil is being looked after as well.”
For Carrick, a small Bannockburn winery, the need to care for the soil prompted a move to organic and biodynamic practices. All its wines have been certified organic since 2011. “The soils here are really poor: they’re old glacial loess, really sandy, high in minerals but low in organic matter,” says Carrick winemaker Rosie Menzies. “So to encourage organic matter in the soil, organics is really important, as is biodynamics.” Alongside pinot noirs, chardonnays, and Rieslings, Carrick also produces a surprisingly drinkable natural wine, the Billet Doux pinot noir. Sample them at the winery’s restaurant, which serves hearty fare such as slow-cooked lamb for lunch daily. This embodies the essence of the organic wine trail, using produce from its kitchen garden.
