Central Otago Wine Tour: 4 Wineries, 3 Regions & Lunch from Queenstown

Four wineries across three regions in one afternoon, with a WSET-qualified guide who knows the stories behind the wines.

A full-day wine tour from Queenstown visiting four Central Otago wineries across Gibbston, Cromwell and Bannockburn, limited to eight guests with a WSET-qualified local guide. You taste at each winery, eat an à la carte lunch at one of them overlooking Bannockburn Inlet, and return to central Queenstown by late afternoon. The itinerary shifts with cellar door availability, so each group sees a different selection of the region's producers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Central Otago wine tasting tour

• Enjoy fully hosted wine tasting
• Visit Carrick Winery for tasting and lunch
• Optional additional visit if time permits

The experience

If you've just arrived in Queenstown or have a free afternoon, this tour solves the logistics of reaching Central Otago's wine regions without driving yourself. The van picks you up from central Queenstown or your accommodation and heads out for 6.5 hours, moving through three distinct wine areas (Gibbston, Cromwell and Bannockburn) each with its own character and producers. The group stays under eight people, which means you're not herded through a tasting room with thirty others. Your guide has time to talk to you about what you're drinking.

At each of the four wineries and cellar doors, you taste what they're pouring that day. The itinerary changes depending on which places are open and what the team thinks will work best for your group, so there's no fixed script. Your guide, who holds a WSET qualification in wine, steers the day based on what's available and what the group seems interested in. Lunch happens at one of the wineries, where you order from the à la carte menu and eat overlooking Bannockburn Inlet. Everything else (the tastings, the transport, the guide's commentary on the vineyards and the region's history) is included. You pay only for any extra wine or food you order beyond lunch.

The company has been running this tour since 1992 and still operates it as a family business, which shows in how they've built relationships with the wineries and how they talk about the place. Return transport gets you back to central Queenstown by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Hosted wine tastings at four Central Otago wineries and cellar doors.
• à la carte winery lunch overlooking Bannockburn Inlet.
• WSET-qualified local guide and driver throughout the day.
• return transport from central Queenstown and selected accommodation.
• expert commentary on Central Otago wine, vineyards, history and region.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:45

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 23 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Queenstown Wine Trail

Is this one for you?At 6.5 hours, this tour fills most of a day but leaves the morning or early evening free for other activities in Queenstown. The fixed return time means you can plan dinner or another booking afterward without guessing when you'll be back.

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Top questions

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

Gibbston is the coolest of the three and sits at higher altitude; Cromwell sits in the basin and tends warmer; Bannockburn is the driest and sits between them. Each produces different styles of wine, and your guide explains how the landscape shapes what grows in each one.

Is lunch included in the price, or do I pay extra?

The à la carte winery lunch is included. You order from the menu and eat at one of the wineries. Any additional wine, drinks or food beyond that meal you pay for separately.

How many people will be on the tour?

The group is strictly limited to eight guests, so it stays small and your guide can spend time with each person rather than rushing through a large group.

Do I need to know about wine to join this tour?

No. Your guide is WSET-qualified and brings expert knowledge, but the tour is built for all levels, whether you're tasting wine for the first time or you already know what you're looking for.

What if I don't want to drive? Can I still do this tour?

Yes. Return transport from central Queenstown and selected accommodation is included, so you don't need a rental car or to arrange your own way to the wineries.