Queenstown Wine Tour: 4 Wineries, Lunch & Lake Views

Four Wineries in One Afternoon—Central Otago's Cool Climate Wines

You visit four boutique vineyards across three Central Otago wine sub-regions, tasting cool-climate wines while your guide explains the region's pioneering history and geology. Lunch is a shared platter with local produce and wine pairings, and the route includes views of Lake Wakatipu, Lake Hayes, and the Kawarau Suspension Bridge on the drive. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the whole day runs around four to five hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boutique wine tour with tastings and lunch

• View Lake Wakatipu and Remarkables
• Pass by Lake Hayes
• See Kawarau Suspension Bridge
• First wine tasting in Gibbston
• Enjoy platter lunch with wine
• Stroll through Old Cromwell
• Second wine tasting in Cromwell
• Final wine tasting in Gibbston

The Experience

The Kawarau Suspension Bridge slides past the window before you've even left Queenstown proper, and that's when it hits: the landscape here doesn't mess around. Lake Wakatipu stretches out on one side, The Remarkables jagged against the sky on the other, and you're heading into wine country that somehow feels both remote and impossibly scenic. Your guide—someone who actually knows the region's history—starts talking about how Central Otago went from gold rush territory to one of the world's most respected cool-climate wine areas, and the whole drive becomes less sightseeing and more context for what you're about to taste.

The first stop lands in Gibbston, where the vines cling to steep slopes and the wines taste like they're made from altitude and cold nights. You taste, ask questions that don't feel stupid because your guide has heard them all before, and move on. Then comes Lake Hayes on a calm day—the kind of mirror-still water that makes you understand why people stop mid-tour just to look. The Cromwell wine region is next, and here's where the platter arrives: local produce, proper portions, a flight of wines that actually pair with what's on the plate instead of just sitting beside it. Old Cromwell, the historical settlement, is a short walk if you want it—a handful of restored buildings that tell you something about who settled here and why, without feeling like a museum gift shop.

The third tasting circles back to Gibbston on the way home, so you're not just tasting four different vineyard takes on cool-climate Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc—you're tasting how the same region expresses itself differently depending on who's making the wine and where their vines sit. Your guide ties it together with stories about the early pioneers and how the wine region actually formed, which sounds like it could be dry until you realize you're standing in a cellar door listening to someone who genuinely cares about the place. The air-conditioned vehicle means you're not sweating through the drive between stops, and hotel pickup means you don't have to figure out how to get to the starting point.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), air-conditioned vehicle, wine tastings at four boutique vineyards, shared platter-style lunch with locally sourced produce and a flight of wines, and a knowledgeable local guide who shares stories about the region's pioneering history and wine formation.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Appellation Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste Central Otago's cool-climate wines without arranging transport, timing multiple vineyard stops yourself, or figuring out which regions to visit—the fixed itinerary covers three sub-regions in one afternoon and the guide handles the narrative.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the three wine regions on this tour?

Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Cromwell are three sub-regions of Central Otago, each with different soil, altitude, and aspect that affect how the wines taste. The tour visits all three so you can taste how the same grape variety expresses itself differently across the region.

Is the lunch included, or do I pay separately?

Lunch is included—a shared platter made with locally sourced produce, served at a vineyard restaurant with a glass of wine of your choice.

How many wineries do we visit?

Four boutique vineyards or cellar doors across the three regions. You'll taste at each stop.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the starting point?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in Queenstown. Confirm your hotel is on the pickup list when you book.

Can I do this tour if I don't drink alcohol?

Yes. You can join the tour and enjoy the vineyard visits, lunch, and scenery. Non-alcoholic options are available, though the tour is structured around wine tastings.

How long does the tour take?

The tour is a half-day experience, typically running four to five hours from pickup to drop-off.

What if I have dietary requirements?

Let the operator know your dietary needs at the time of booking so they can arrange the platter lunch accordingly.

Is there a minimum group size?

Yes, a minimum of two people are required for the tour to run.