It’s no secret that New Zealand is full of natural beauty and adventure, but this can also make it hard to narrow down which activities to partake in once there!
If you are at all interested in wine or beautiful scenery, do yourself a favor and take a wine tour! I’ve gone ahead and curated a handpicked list of the 5 top wine tours from Queenstown, taking you to picturesque places and award-winning vineyards as you’re treated to all kinds of delicious flavors.
From world-class Pinot Noir to crips Sauvignon Blanc, there’s something for everyone on these tours, and you’ll have a great time exploring each location! Let’s jump right in!
Best Wine Tours from Queenstown
| Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown Including Lunch | Gourmet Food, Wine and Cheese Tour from Queenstown | Queenstown Wine Tour with Wine Dog | Adults Only | |
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| Location: | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | 43 Camp Street, Queenstown 9300 |
| Start: | 11:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Duration: | 5.5 hours | 6.5 hours | 5 hours |
| Includes: | Wine tastings at 4 vineyards and cellar doors, local guide, air-conditioned vehicle | Lunch, wine tastings at 4 vineyards, knowledgeable wine guide with commentary, transport by luxury vehicle, snacks | Wine tastings, local guide, live commentary on board, air-conditioned vehicle |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Wine Tours From Queenstown For 2024
- Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown Including Lunch
- Gourmet Food, Wine and Cheese Tour from Queenstown
- Queenstown Wine Tour with Wine Dog | Adults Only
- Queenstown Wine Sampler Tour
- 5-Hour Wine and Food Sampler Tour from Queenstown
Best Queenstown Wine Tour Reviews
1. Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown Including Lunch
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 11:00 AM
- Includes: Wine tastings at 4 vineyards and cellar doors, local guide, air-conditioned vehicle
I don’t know about you, but two of my favorite things are breathtaking views and great wine. If I have the opportunity to experience the two in one convenient tour, I’ll take it.
That’s exactly what the Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown Including Lunch has to offer. This immersive experience boasts its own charm and character, from picturesque lake shores to rolling hills,
I’m sure you’ll have just as much fun as I did diving into the region’s rich winemaking heritage. The tour starts off with a convenient hotel pickup right from your lobby, so you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to get there or back (especially important after a day of winetasting!).
Our vehicle for the day was a well-maintained little coach with plenty of legroom, big windows for watching the beautiful landscapes pass by, and space for me to keep my jacket and small backpack.
As we drove along the smooth, winding roads, our guide shared interesting commentary on the wine region’s history, how it all started, and national culture and history, as well.
Our small group size made it a much more personalized experience, where we got to chat with our guide and ask questions instead of just being another person in the crowd.
Once we arrived in Gibbston, it was time for our first boutique wine tour, where we got to try plenty of tasty sips and learn about the differences between the grapes.
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After that, it was a smart idea to stop in Bannockburn for a light platter lunch paired with a glass of wine of our choice, surrounded by gorgeous natural landscapes and great company.
I loved the leisurely stroll to let everything digest at the Cromwell Heritage Precinct, enjoying our second tasting in this legendary wine region.
From a total of 4 winery visits, we got to try a ton of different types which expanded my preferences and gave me ideas for what to order next time I’m out to dinner.
Combined with our friendly and informative guide, we had a fantastic day exploring and learning about wine culture and processes.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Gourmet Food, Wine and Cheese Tour from Queenstown
- Duration: 6.5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 9:30 AM
- Includes: Lunch, wine tastings at 4 vineyards over 3 contrasting wine sub-regions, knowledgeable wine guide with interesting commentary, transport by luxury vehicle, snacks
Queenstown is a fantastic place known for its dramatic lake views and adrenaline activities, it’s definitely a great destination for travelers all over the world. However, if you’re looking to take things a bit slower and enjoy the simple things in life, I have the perfect tour for you.
The Gourmet Food, Wine and Cheese Tour from Queenstown took us to various wine tastings in contrasting wine sub-regions, maximizing our knowledge and opening us up to many new types of wine!
This tour started a bit earlier than the previous one, so I made sure we were all ready to go and waiting for our guide to pick us up early in the morning at our hotel.
We had a comfy luxury vehicle transporting us around, which lulled me to sleep for a portion of the journey into the heart of Central Otago – but I still got plenty of great views in!
Set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and charming vineyards, I felt the stress practically melt away as we got closer to our first destination.
In Bannockburn, we stopped for our first wine tasting, where we learned from the experts how they grow the grapes, and the entire winemaking process!
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After that, we headed to the Gibbston Valley Winery, heading into the depths of the country’s biggest wine cave for a guided tour and tasting some award-winning Pinots.
The Stoaker Room Cromwell was next, and we learned how they used some old French Oak Pinot Noir Barrels for wine, and steams, bakes, grills, and smokes for their delicious food!
The cuisine was tasty, and after all of the stops, I felt like I could honestly be somewhat of an expert in the wines we tried (at least amongst my friends!). I’ve been on quite a few wine tours, and I also felt like this one spaced the stops out best.
With friendly staff, lots of knowledge, many tastings, and fantastic food, you really can’t ask for a better experience!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Queenstown Wine Tour with Wine Dog | Adults Only
- Duration: 5 hours
- Departure: 43 Camp Street, Queenstown 9300
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM
- Includes: Wine tastings, local guide, live commentary on board, air-conditioned vehicle
When I first saw the name of this next tour, I definitely had quite a few questions. As luck would have it, it turns out that the Queenstown Wine Tour with Wine Dog | Adults Only does involve both wine and a dog.
The wine dog actually belongs to the winery’s owner, and both of them will take you around on a world-class wine tour in the Gibbston Valley.
The only thing I’d really change about this tour is the fact that it’s the only one on this guide that doesn’t offer a complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off.
However, the meetup point was quite easy to get to with public transportation, so it wasn’t really a big hassle. Once we arrived, our guides were very friendly, offering a briefing as to what we can expect, and answering all of our group’s questions.
We then boarded our air-conditioned vehicle for the day, which was very comfortable and easy to hear our guide as they told us historical accounts of the region’s rich winemaking history, from its humble beginnings to current premier wine destination status.
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We also learned about the unique land of Central Otago, as well as the innovative techniques local winemakers practice here to create such exceptional wines!
Visiting some of the area’s most famous wineries and cellar doors, we tried a wide array of vinos, along with a gourmet lunch at one of the most reputable restaurants in the region.
Sipping on world-class wines and munching on delectable local dishes is even better when you have the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and vineyards while you do so.
They included just the right number of vineyard visits and tastings, with each one showing its slightly different approach and techniques. All in all, I can’t recommend this tour enough for wine lovers and those who’d just like to learn more about the subject!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Queenstown Wine Sampler Tour
- Duration: 6 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM
- Includes: 4 fantastic tasting experiences at different cellar doors around Gibbston, guided tour of NZ’s biggest underground wine cave, commentary from wine certified guide, transport in premium Mercedes vehicle
I couldn’t leave off this next tour, as it’s one of the best out there for discovering some of the country’s best food and wine! The Queenstown Wine Sampler Tour was a meticulously organized experience with well-timed wine tastings and a stress-free experience.
No having to worry about reservations or having to drive yourselves out to the wine country – they really do make this tour a seamless 6 or so hours!
Starting things off with a hotel pickup in the morning, there’s no need to worry about how to get to a meetup point or spending extra for a taxi.
Our guide was very professional, making sure we were on time to every stop, while driving us easily through the rather heavy traffic in Queenstown!
Along our ride, she pointed out all kinds of interesting local sites, while offering great recommendations for restaurants and even different types of historical tours!
Our first stop was the famous Gibbston Valley Winery, which is one of the area’s first wineries and is where we went on a guided tour through the country’s biggest underground wine cave! We had a few different tastings of their award-winning wines before heading to Kinross Winery & Cellar Door.
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We had so much fun trying wine from more boutique producers that I hadn’t previously heard of, as well as their success stories!
After we tasted the wines, we filled up on a spread of pizzas, smaller dishes, as well as plenty of entrees, with something to satisfy any taste!
Just keep in mind that this is not included in the tour price, so you will order and pay for it right on the day of. After that was the boutique Mt. Rosa Wines winery, located in the stunning Nevis Bluff (don’t pass up the opportunity to try their mulled wine!).
We couldn’t leave off The Church Tasting Room, with small-batch wines, an interesting history, and a wide array of delicious options.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. 5-Hour Wine and Food Sampler Tour from Queenstown
- Duration: 5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 12:00 PM
- Includes: Lunch, hosted wine tasting at 3 wineries, driver/guide, air-conditioned vehicle
If you have limited time in Queenstown, are a huge wine lover, or are simply looking to escape the busier environment for a few hours, look no further than this next tour.
The 5-Hour Wine and Food Sampler Tour from Queenstown is one of those “biggest bang for your buck” experiences where you get to try a ton of top-notch food and wine options.
With local, knowledgeable guides and all transportation taken care of, this is a seamless, ultra-convenient way of seeing the famed Central Otago wine region without the hassle.
If you have the afternoon and evening free or are looking for a great restaurant to try, I highly recommend considering this tour, instead. Just make sure that you’re ready to go around noon in your hotel lobby, so your guide can pick you and your party up.
Our transportation for the day was a small, air-conditioned coach that fit our small group perfectly while still offering enough space to stretch out and relax.
The journey to the Gibbston Valley Winery was lovely, following the Queenstown Wine Trail, with rolling hills, great weather, and a relatively short ride.
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Once we arrived, we got to explore the country’s largest underground wine cave, which almost made it feel like we’d been transported to another era! Our guide was very talented at storytelling, and only added to what we learned directly from the winery staff.
After the first wine tasting, we had a delicious lunch where we got to sample the local cuisine and chat with our guide and the rest of our group.
To be able to learn about this amazing wine firsthand from so many talented and hardworking people in such beautiful environments was priceless! No matter what your background is, I’m sure you’ll love it just as much as I did!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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The Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown Including Lunch is our Editors Choice for the best Queenstown wine tour.
