Product Overview

Appellation Wine Tours is Queenstown’s leading premium wine tasting tour company with over 25 years of experience showcasing the finest wine, scenery and history throughout Central Otago.

Appellation Wine Tours is a locally owned and operated business. We appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you on tour!

Our award-winning all-inclusive wine tasting tours have been designed to educate, enlighten and indulge you with the very best of what Central Otago has to offer. We hope to leave you with a lasting impression of a perfect and memorable day out.

Our Specialist Wine Guides have a true passion for Central Otago and they are eager to share their knowledge of local sights and history and of course everything wine!

Product Description

Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
Experience an indulgent and diverse full-day exclusive tour showcasing the very best of the local sights, enjoying fresh and unique cuisine and tasting a selection of fine wines, cheeses and handcrafted chocolates.

Be greeted by your specialist Wine Guide and venture into the heart of Central Otago to taste fine wines at three premium vineyards over three contrasting wine sub-regions; Gibbston, Cromwell and the Bannockburn basin.

Take a guided tour through New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave. Stop at a unique lunch venue, experiencing a gourmet lunch consisting of five dishes cooked in retired oak barrels and matching with wines – just divine!

You will also have an opportunity to retrace history with visits to the historical settlements of Arrowtown and Old Cromwell (when time permits). Learn about the early pioneering history and how the wine region was formed through an array of fun facts and interesting stories from your knowledgeable Wine Guide.

Inclusions

• Return CBD hotel transfers
• Tastings at 4 premium locations (3 vineyards and a lunch venue)
• Visit Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell
• Exquisite 5-dish gourmet lunch with matching wines at The Stoaker Room
• Tour through Gibbston Valley underground wine cave
• Cheeseboard to accompany a wine tasting
• Artisan chocolate giftbox
• Short visit to historic Arrowtown and/or Old Cromwell
• Full commentary on the sights, wine and history of the region

Boutique Wine Tour
Enjoy tastings from four premium vineyards over three contrasting wine sub-regions; Gibbston and the lesser-known Cromwell and Bannockburn basin.

Stop in for lunch at a vineyard restaurant and take a tour around the vineyard, barrel hall and see the wine-making facilities. Savour a delightful platter-style lunch made with locally sourced produce and accompanied by a flight of wines.

Sit back and relax in our luxury Mercedes-Benz minivans and take in the sights while our specialist Wine Guide provides a full commentary on the wine, sights and early history, ensuring an entertaining drive with plenty of photo opportunities along the way.

Some wineries are producing amazing craft beers as well! If there is someone coming along who would prefer beer, please let us know and we can try to accommodate. 

Inclusions

• Return CBD hotel transfers
• Tastings at 4 boutique vineyards
• Visit Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell
• Gourmet platter lunch
• Vineyard tour of vines, barrel hall and see the wine making facilities
• Visit Old Cromwell Town (weather permitting)
• Full commentary on the sights, wine and history of the region

Classic Wine Tour
Get a real taste for Central Otago wines on this fun and interactive afternoon tour. Let one of our experienced Wine Guides whisk you away to Queenstown’s neighbouring wine region, Gibbston, aptly known as the “Valley of the Vines”.

Spend the afternoon visiting three perfectly selected vineyards including a guided tour through New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave at Gibbston Valley Winery. Sample an array of fine wines and varietals on offer and enjoy a shared cheeseboard which accompanies one of the wine tastings.

Enjoy a full running commentary from your passionate and enthusiastic Wine Guide. Learn about this pioneering wine region and its evolution from just a couple of rows of vines into a world-renowned Pinot Noir producer.

There can be the option to taste some craft beers on this tour when we are notified in advance. Simply mention this upon booking and we can try to include a winery/brewery option. Children aged 6-17 years are welcome.

Inclusions

• Return CBD hotel transfers
• Tastings at 3 premium vineyards
• Visit the Gibbston wine region
• Cheeseboard which accompanies a wine tasting
• Guided tour through Gibbston Valley Winery's underground wine cave
• View the AJ Hackett Bungy bridge and Kawarau river
• Full running commentary on the sights, wine and history of the region

 

Queenstown Highlights Tour

Sit back, relax and soak up the scenic sights on this fun and informative morning of guided sightseeing.

Begin with breath-taking panoramic views at a local observation point on Queenstown Hill where you can take the best panoramic photos in Queenstown.

Travel to the “Valley of the Vines” Gibbston wine region and discover the New Zealand’s first commercial bungy bridge. Watch intrepid jumpers and feel the adrenaline as they plummet at a height of 43 m!

Stop at Gibbston Valley Winery and enjoy a wine tasting or tea/coffee.

Sneak a peek at one of the “LOTR” filming locations envisioning the “Pillar of the Kings” scene on the cliffs overlooking the Kawarau River.

Continue on to explore the 1860’s gold rush era and colonial architecture of historic Arrowtown with time to wander the picturesque main street and Chinese Settlement.

Return home via Arthurs Point viewing the dramatic Shotover River and capture a glimpse of a jet boat speeding through the narrow Shotover Canyons.

Inclusions

• Incredible photo opportunities of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables and Lord of the Rings filming locations
• Stop in to watch bungy jumpers at the AJ Hackett bungy bridge
• Indulge in a wine tasting or tea/coffee at Gibbston Valley Winery
• Discover beautiful Arrowtown’s golden history and colonial architecture
• View the mighty Shotover river and narrow canyons
• Full running commentary on sights and early history of the region

 

Departure Times

Gourmet Food and Wine Tour - 9:30am daily (with a minimum of 2 guests).

Boutique Wine Tour 11.00am daily (with a minimum of 2 guests).

Classic Wine Tour 1:30pm daily (with a minimum of 2 guests).

Queenstown Highlights 9:30am daily (with a minimum of 2 guests).

Duration

Gourmet Food and Wine Tour - 6.5 hours
Boutique Wine Tour - 5.5 hours
Classic Wine Tour - 3.5 hours
Queenstown Highlights Tour - 3 hours

What To Bring

Warm jacket, sunglasses and camera

Company Info

With over 25 years of experience, join New Zealand's award-winning wine tour company, Appellation Wine Tours, and discover the magnificent wines, history and sights of New Zealand's premier cool climate wine region, Central Otago.

 Departing from Queenstown, let our specialist Wine Guides take you off the beaten track into the heart of Central Otago; a wine region famous for its boutique vineyards, dramatic scenery and fascinating pioneering history.

 Enjoy tastings from up to three contrasting wine sub-regions; the Gibbston Valley and the lesser known Bannockburn and Cromwell basin. Sit back and relax in our luxury minivans, and take in the sights while our wine guide provides a full commentary on the area.

 Daily all-inclusive, small-group and private tours available, with vineyard visits changing every day. Vineyard requests can be included when notified in advance.