10 Wine Tours & Tastings in Otago Region That You Shouldn't Miss

After being picked up from The Station Building in Queenstown you'll be transported to the Gibbston Valley Winery. Here you'll take a guided tour of New Zealand's largest wine cave and taste current release wines, amidst more than 300 barrels of ageing Pinot Noir. Next you'll relax and enjoy a delicious lunch with a glass of wine. After lunch, make your way to the Bike Centre to get kitted out with your gear, and take off on a ride along the Gibbston River Trail to explore the Central Otago wine region on wheels. The trail winds along the majestic Kawarau River, through vineyards and passes other local wineries that you may wish to visit along the way. You will then make your way back to Gibbston Valley Winery where we will transport you back to town.

Inclusions: Detailed trail map, Lunch & a glass of wine at the Winery, Return transport from Queenstown, Hard tail bike hire (E-Bike up-grade cost $40 per bike), Wine tasting in New Zealand's largest wine cave

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

See the best of New Zealand’s stunning South Island on this unforgettable 8-day tour! Traveling by private luxury vehicle you’ll visit all the highlights of this amazing destination on an counter-clockwise route from Christchurch. Explore Arthur’s Pass, see West Coast rainforests from Franz Josef Glacier, and visit Mount Cook and Queenstown. Customize your tour to your preference with a range of optional activities (own expense) including helicopter rides, mountain walks, bungee jumps and more! The service that we provide is a private luxury tour service, not a large group tour. Other than our friendly tour staff you will not be sharing your tour with anyone outside of your own party so you can rest assured that this is your tour and we’ll do exactly what you want to make it your perfect trip. With a round-trip transfer from Christchurch Airport or your local hotel plus seven nights of accommodation included, this adventure-laden tour enables you to see the South Island with ease.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Private tour, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), Live commentary on board, Professional tour guide (who is also the driver), Transport by private vehicle and all fuel charges, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Round-trip airport transfer (Christchurch), 7 nights accommodation in your selected category of hotel

Exclusions: Gratuities, Optional activities, Personal expenses, Food and drinks, not specified in the itinerary (lunch and dinner)

Join us on the Queenstown & Central Otago Wine Tour which is an outstanding way to experience the stunning wines of both the Bannockburn and the Gibbston wine regions in Central Otago which are famed for it’s Pinot Noir. We will drive you through Central Otago to Bannockburn where we will go to the cellar door at Mt Difficulty, located on famed Felton Road before visiting the top wineries and cellar doors in the Gibbston Valley wine region. Create an unforgettable wine experience with your very own private local guide in the comfort of our luxury European vehicles.

Inclusions: Local taxes, Bottled water, Snacks, Wine tasting fees, Professional Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transportation, Lunch

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Lunch (highly recommend booking in advance your preferred winery restaurant), Gratuities, Coffee/tea (available to purchase)

5-hour eBike heaven traversing some of the most beautiful countrysides in New Zealand. An exclusive personal wine tasting experience with the comments from our knowledgeable guide. A ride through the vineyards and exploring the vine growing secrets. An enchanting eBike ride over historic suspension bridges. Visiting the world’s first permanent Bungy jumping site. Historic information about the Central Otago area along the way.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Wine tastings, Top of the range Moustache eBike, All Safety equipment, Collection of any wine purchased during the tour, back pack and water bottle for a trip

Exclusions: Lunch

This is an immersive, fun and educational wine tour visiting five of Central Otago’s finest and off the beaten track cellar doors through the BIG 4 wine regions of Gibbston, Cromwell Bendigo and Bannockburn. Sample over 20 spectacular cool-climate wines and enjoy an (optional) exceptional lunch at the renowned Bannockburn Hotel (additional cost ordered on the day) whilst learning information, stories and facts about the region and wine from your charismatic guide and cellar staff educate. Travel in style with transfers in a luxury Mercedes van, and make use of our complimentary WiFi and bottled water. We have regular cellar doors we visit however we have the flexibility to tailor the tour to suit where possible. If you have specific requests please let us know through ‘special requirements’ at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate. Sample itinerary for the day: Kinross, Scott Base, Misha's Vinyard, Te Kano and Cloudy Bay.

Inclusions: Wine tastings at 5 unique cellar door locations, Bottled water, WiFi on board, Complimentary branded wine glass, Complimentary Queenstown hotel transfers

Exclusions: Lunch at premier renown location is at customers expense

This isn't your average wine or beer tour! I've carefully sought out the best of the best. These are Queenstown's boutique taste makers. Leave the tourist trail behind and let me take you on a personal journey to meet the folks who's passion, love for their craft and location sets them apart from the rest. Take a place that is widely considered one of the top wine regions in the new world, a recent explosion in craft & microbreweries and add in the pioneering kiwi spirit and you have the perfect recipe for an all out taste adventure. Wine and beer are made, first and foremost to just be enjoyed. So, whether you're the Einstein of wine or just here for a good ol' time, come sip, slurp & savour the best local flavours. **Please Note: I'm not a large commercial operator or tour company and prefer to focus on smaller group sizes as I believe this allows for better connections to be made and a more valuable experience for travellers.

Inclusions: Beer & Food Pairing, 20+ Tastings Included, Environmentally Friendly Water Bottles Provided To All Guests, Snacks, Air-conditioned vehicle, Direct Accommodation Pick-Up/Drop-Off Included, Carbon footprint offset: For each trip, more native trees are planted in the region.

Exclusions:

This exclusive wine tour of 5 wineries is perfect for small groups of family & friends. In Central Otago wine country you'll discover a wide range including Pinot Noir, Rosé, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc. I will pick you up at your accommodation in Queenstown at 11.40 am. Travelling in a premium SUV we head up the Kawarau Gorge to our first wine tasting which takes place at one of the most awe inspiring settings in the winemaking world. We then head to Cromwell where wineries are set amongst the historic remnants of the gold rush era. Here you will visit three wineries and taste distinctive wines in dramatic terrain. At one of the wineries a platter lunch can be booked in advance on your behalf with expenses payable by you directly to the cellar door. We then return to Queenstown and stop at a winery on the way for our final tasting. I am also a photographer; pictures are free of charge and are sent to you via link after the tour.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Over 24 wines available for tasting, Wine tasting fees, Coolbox for drinks & food, WiFi on board, Air-conditioned vehicle, Photos free of charge, Wine tasting guide

Exclusions: A platter lunch can be booked on your behalf with all expenses (from $20 per head) payable by you direct to the vineyard ; platter menus available on request.

This is a relaxing wine tour for small groups of family and friends who want an exclusive experience. You will travel in a luxury air-conditioned SUV with leather seats, generous legroom, extra headroom, sunroof and USB power. On board there is a free wi fi hotspot, coolbox for food and beverages, wine carrier for purchases and umbrellas. Complimentary bottled water and crackers are also provided. You will discover an amazing range of award winning wines including Pinot Noir, Rosé, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and sparkling wine. You will journey through four distinct winemaking sub regions and visit boutique wineries off the beaten track on this great value wine tasting experience. A platter lunch can be booked in advance on your behalf with expenses payable by you directly to the cellar door. I am a photographer and will take pictures of your memorable day free of charge a send them to you via download link.

Inclusions: Wine tasting fees, Bottled water, Crackers for palate cleansing between tastings, Coolbox for your drinks, food, over 24 wines available for tasting, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Wine tasting guide

Exclusions: A platter style lunch can be booked in advance on your behalf with expenses payable by you (from $20 per head) ; platter menus available on request.

Discover and savour our world-class Central Otago wines on the Valley of the Vines Afternoon Wine Tour exclusively for adults only! Wine-lovers are transported on a journey through the 'Valley of the Vines' to indulge in an afternoon of wine tastings and delicious local cheeses in the world's southernmost wine region. Relax and unwind as you visit three renowned vineyards and wineries, experience a behind the scenes winery and wine cave tour where you will immerse the senses in New Zealand’s largest wine cave. Imbibe some of the best vintages on offer, and beyond the grape enjoy a shared cheese board at a latitude of 45° south, an unforgettable experience. Created exclusively for adults only to ensure that the rest of the group experiences an unforgettable day while travelling in a luxurious Mercedes Sprinter.

Inclusions: Winery & Wine Cave Tour, Shared Cheese Board, Local Guide, Live commentary on board, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities

We’re not everyone’s cup of tea. But we are your glass of wine. Join us on a classic and fun top-rated wine tour in the Gibbston region. Visit four of Central Otago’s finest and off the beaten track cellar doors, including a visit to the famous Gibbston Valley underground wine cave. Taste over 18 spectacular cool-climate wines whilst your charismatic guide and knowledgeable cellar staff educate and amuse you with local winemaking facts and stories. Travel in style in a luxury Mercedes van, enjoy learning how to taste wine through onboard videos and make use of our WiFi and Spotify playlists. We are all about pairing good people with good wine so whether you are an adventure junkie recharging your batteries, an avid sightseer hunting more jaw-dropping views, or a wine enthusiast eager to taste some world-class wines, a wine tour with Altitude Tours is a must. The 5.5 hour Wine Sampler tour departs Queenstown at 10 am and returns around 3:30 pm.

Inclusions: Wine tastings at 4 cellar doors, Guided tour of New Zealand's largest underground wine cave, Optional lunch at a premier cellar door (at your expense), Complimentary bottled water, Complimentary Queenstown hotel transfers, Free Onboard Wifi, Complimentary branded wine glass, Fun Onboard videos

Exclusions: Lunch at a premier cellar door is at your expense