Private Wine Tour Queenstown: 4 Wineries & Lunch

Four wineries, three wine regions, one private vehicle

A private 5.5-hour wine tour from Queenstown visits four boutique vineyards across Gibbston, Cromwell and Bannockburn with a specialist guide. You taste Central Otago wines at each stop, enjoy lunch with a glass of wine at Mt Difficulty Winery and Restaurant, and explore the historical precinct of Old Cromwell before returning to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private wine tour with tastings and lunch

• Visit boutique vineyard in Gibbston Valley
• Enjoy lunch at Mt Difficulty Winery
• Visit premium vineyard in Bannockburn
• Visit another vineyard in Gibbston Valley

The experience

Five and a half hours takes you through three contrasting wine sub-regions in a luxury touring vehicle with a specialist wine guide who knows the back roads and the history. The route starts in Gibbston Valley, the "Valley of the Vines", where you visit a carefully selected boutique vineyard for a hosted tasting and learn how Central Otago's distinctive wines are made. From there the day moves to Bannockburn, where you sit down to lunch at Mt Difficulty Winery and Restaurant or Carrick, savoring a fresh antipasti platter with a glass of premium wine and views across the vineyard landscape.

After lunch you visit another premium vineyard in the Bannockburn sub-region to taste wines shaped by the area's distinctive landscape and approach to viticulture. The tour finishes at a fourth vineyard back in Gibbston Valley before the return to Queenstown. Between tastings there's time to wander the charming historical precinct of Old Cromwell, and the guide can work in other sightseeing (AJ Hackett Bungy or Arrowtown) if the schedule allows.

Bottled water comes with you throughout, and the guide provides commentary on the region's pioneering history and winemaking traditions. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't need a car to reach the vineyards.

What’s included

• Wine tastings at four boutique vineyards.
• lunch with an accompanying glass of premium wine at Mt Difficulty Winery and Restaurant or Carrick.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• knowledgeable specialist guide with commentary on the region's history and winemaking.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Appellation Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Hotel or port pickup means you don't need a car to reach the three wine regions, and the private vehicle keeps the group small and the pace relaxed between tastings and lunch.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is the Bannockburn wine region known for?

Bannockburn is celebrated for producing expressive, elegant wines in a distinctive Central Otago landscape. The sub-region's local winemakers focus on viticulture approaches that bring out the unique characteristics of the area's wines, and you'll taste those differences at a hosted tasting during the tour.

Do I get to choose which wineries I visit?

The four vineyards are carefully selected boutique properties, and the guide takes you to them based on the tour itinerary. If you have preferences or dietary needs, you can mention them when you book.

What happens at Old Cromwell?

Old Cromwell is a charming historical precinct you can wander through between vineyard stops. The guide shares the area's pioneering history as part of the tour's exploration of the region's past.

Can I buy extra wine to take home?

Yes, additional wine and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase at the vineyards you visit during the tour.

Is the tour suitable if I don't drink alcohol?

The tour is built around wine tastings, but you can discuss any preferences with the operator when booking. Vegetarian options are available for the lunch platter if you need them.