Queenstown: Small Group Wine Tour, 3 Wineries & Local Host

Summary

Queenstown wine afternoon with local stories, lakes and cellar tastings

You’ll taste Central Otago’s best Pinot Noir at three standout wineries near Queenstown: Peregrine’s barrel hall, Kinross’s boutique collection, and Amisfield’s organic estate overlooking Lake Hayes. With a local guide sharing stories (and jokes), comfy transport, and plenty of scenery along Lake Wakatipu and Gibbston Valley, you’ll end up feeling more like you spent an afternoon with new friends than on a typical tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Afternoon wine tour in Queenstown

• Travel through Queenstown city
• Drive alongside Lake Wakatipu
• Pass picturesque Lake Hayes
• Travel through Kawarau Gorge
• Enter Gibbston Valley wine region
• Visit Peregrine Wines and barrel hall
• Enjoy hosted tasting at Kinross winery
• Finish with tasting at Amisfield winery
• Return to Queenstown town

Top questions

How many wineries do you visit on this Queenstown wine tour?

You visit three wineries: Peregrine, Kinross, and Amisfield.

Is hotel pickup included in this Queenstown wine tour?

The tour includes pickup in Queenstown with luxury Mercedes Sprinter transport.

Are food or snacks provided during the wine tastings?

The main focus is premium wine tastings; some venues offer cheese plates but lunch is not included.

What makes this day trip different from other wine tours near Queenstown?

This is an adults-only small group (max 10), hosted by a knowledgeable New Zealand local with visits to award-winning wineries.

How long does the afternoon wine tour last?

The experience is paced for an afternoon outing; you return to Queenstown by early evening.

Is this tour suitable for solo travelers or couples?

Yes, it’s designed for adults only and welcomes solo travelers or couples seeking a relaxed group vibe.

What are some highlights along the route?

You’ll see Lake Wakatipu, Lake Hayes, Kawarau Gorge, and drive through Gibbston Valley.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes pickup in Queenstown by Mercedes Sprinter van with your local host guiding you through scenic stops at Lake Wakatipu and Kawarau Gorge before visiting three top Central Otago wineries: Peregrine for an architectural barrel hall tasting, Kinross for award-winning boutique wines (including labels like Valli), and Amisfield for premium organic pours overlooking Lake Hayes—all paced so you’re back in town by early evening.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll never guess which barrel’s from 2004,” our guide Matt grinned, holding up a glass in Peregrine’s barrel hall. I was still thinking about the drive out of Queenstown — that blue slice of Lake Wakatipu flashing between the hills, the kind of color you can’t describe in photos. The air smelled like wet grass and something sharp, maybe wild thyme? Anyway, Peregrine’s architecture looked almost like it could fly off into the valley if the wind picked up. We tasted their Pinot Noir right there in the cool hush of the barrels — I tried to pick out what Matt called ‘Central Otago spice’ but honestly, I just liked how it felt after a few sips.

The van (a Mercedes Sprinter, super comfy) rolled us through Gibbston Valley next — past sheep and these yellow broom bushes everywhere. Kinross was more relaxed; people laughing on the deck, a dog asleep under someone’s chair. Our host at Kinross poured five different wines, each from a different boutique label. She told us about Valli and Wild Irishman — apparently both winemakers live nearby and sometimes drop in for a chat. I tried to pronounce “Gibbston” properly; she smiled but didn’t correct me. The cheese plate disappeared fast (I blame Rob from Auckland). It felt like we were hanging out with friends instead of being on a tour.

By the time we reached Amisfield, clouds were rolling over Lake Hayes and the mountains looked almost painted on. The place is organic — they’re pretty proud of that — and our last tasting was outside under this big old tree while someone set up for a wedding nearby. There was this moment where everyone just went quiet for a second, watching light shift across the water. I didn’t expect to feel so mellow after just an afternoon out here. Maybe it was the wine or maybe just being away from town for a bit.