Appellation Central Wine Tours Queenstown

Discover Central Otago’s fine wines on one of Appellation Central’s small group wine tours.

Central Otago wine country spreads from the outskirts of Queenstown’s picturesque valleys and dramatic gorges to the vine-clad foothills of Bannockburn and beyond. Central Otago is becoming renown for the world-class quality of it’s Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.

Departing from Queenstown our daily wine tours are designed to offer a balanced mix of wine tasting, fine food, sightseeing and culture.

Group sizes are kept to an absolute maximum of 11 adults to ensure you get the most out of your day with time to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the world’s southern-most wine region.

Activity Options

Boutique Wine Tour

• Departing at midday the Boutique Wine Tour ventures through the rugged Kawarau Gorge to visit four of the regions finest boutique vineyards located in the Bannockburn and Gibbston Valley areas.

• Lunch is provided in a peaceful setting, at Carrick Winery overlooking the Bannockburn Inlet of Lake Dunstan.

• Visit historic Old Cromwell Town (time and weather permitting) plus enjoy the stunning drive through the Kawarau Gorge whilst learning about the early pioneering history.

• The tour is a great introduction to the region’s wine, history, culture and fine cuisine and makes a great afternoon out from Queenstown.

* Private Boutique Wine Tour NZ$360.00 per person – please enquire

Gourmet Wine Tour

• Venturing into the heart of Central Otago this full day Gourmet Wine Tour offers a true wine and food experience.

• Highlights include tasting wines at five of the regions premium vineyards, a guided tour of New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave, tasting of local cheeses at one of the vineyards, delightful platter style lunch and a visit to historic Old Cromwell Town (time and weather permitting.

• Enjoy the stunning drive through the Kawarau Gorge whilst learning about the early pioneering history and view the historic Kawarau Bridge and the original AJ Hackett Bungy jump.

* Private Gourmet Wine Tour NZ$410.00 per person – please enquire

Guided Nature Walk and Boutique Wine Tour

• A relaxed and leisurely Lakeshore Forest & Bird guided walk followed by Appellation Central’s Boutique Wine Tour. Guided Nature Walks and Appellation Central Wine Tours have come together to bring you this exclusive full day experience.

• Departing Queenstown at 8am this half day, morning walk combines the best of native flora and fauna with magnificent lake and mountain views. Native birds are readily seen and heard, in and around the edges of the forest.

• Walking time: 2 to 3 hours (optional), walking distance: 2 to 5kms (optional – easy walking), track: well-formed – flat surface – some steps.

Private Helicopter Wine Tours

• Premium Half Day: A Queenstown mid-morning departure and scenic flight transports you to an alpine landing high above Queenstown. From there, cruise at mid-valley level with spectacular views of the vineyards and wineries of the Gibbston valley. An Appellation Central guide welcomes you at one of the Gibbston vineyards and begins your private chauffeured journey visiting three of Gibbston Valley’s top vineyards. Includes all wine tasting’s, wine tasting with a local winemaker or vineyard owner and gourmet vineyard platter lunch with a glass of premium wine. 5 Hours.

• Exclusive Full Day: A Queenstown luxury Squirrel Helicopter transports you to a gentle mountain landing where the elevated plateaux of the Southern Alps reveal another world high above the lakes and valley floors. From there, cruising at altitude reveals the gorges and valleys between Queenstown and Bannockburn, the heart of the wine region. A senior Appellation Central guide welcomes you to Bannockburn and begins your chauffeured journey through a world of wineries, their architecture, sculpture, history and fascinating people. Includes all wine tasting’s, wine tasting with a local winemaker or vineyard owner, cheese and wine tasting at Olssens Garden Vineyard and gourmet vineyard a la carte lunch together with a glass of premium wine. 7 Hours.

Facilities

• Luxury 10 and 12 seater minibuses

Departures & Duration

• Boutique Wine Tour – 12 pm to 5 pm
• Gourmet Wine Tour – 9 30 am to 4 30 pm
• Guided Nature Walk and Boutique Wine Tour – 8 am – 5 pm

Other information

• Inclusions: Hotel pickup, vineyard platter style lunch, all wine tasting’s, bottled mineral water
• New Zealand winner of the Great Wine Capitals 2011 Best of Wine Tourism Services

Location

Queenstown, New Zealand.