Queenstown Wine Tour: 3 Gibbston Wineries & Cave Tasting

Three wineries, one cave, four hours of Central Otago Pinot Noir

A four-hour afternoon wine tour departing Queenstown at 1:30pm visits three Gibbston cellar doors, includes a guided tour through New Zealand's largest wine cave, and features tastings paired with an antipasto board. A knowledgeable wine guide leads the route through the Valley of Vines, covering the region's evolution from a handful of vineyard rows into a world-class Pinot Noir producer. You return to your accommodation by 5:30pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Afternoon wine tour in Gibbston

• Start wine tour with guide
• Visit three Gibbston vineyards
• Tour New Zealand's largest wine cave
• Enjoy antipasto with wine tasting
• View Kawarau River and suspension bridge
• Return to accommodation

The experience

The tour leaves Queenstown at 1:30pm and heads into Gibbston, the wine region that sits just beyond the city. Your guide (someone with real knowledge of Central Otago wines) runs commentary throughout the afternoon, walking you through how this valley transformed from a couple of experimental rows into a serious Pinot Noir destination. The Kawarau River cuts through the landscape, its glacial-coloured water visible from several stops, and you'll pass the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, the jump site for AJ Hackett's bungy operation, before arriving at the first cellar door.

The centerpiece is a guided descent into New Zealand's largest wine cave, carved into the hillside at Gibbston Valley. You walk through the underground cellar with your guide, learning how temperature and humidity shape the wines stored there, then taste directly inside the cave itself. The other two stops follow the same pattern, tastings at their cellar doors, and at one of them you sit down with an antipasto board, local cured meats and cheeses meant to complement the wines you're tasting. No rushing between stops. The pace is built around the tasting itself.

The tour operates daily in all weather, so bring a layer if the afternoon turns cool. Children from age 6 are welcome, and the route is wheelchair accessible. You're back at your Queenstown accommodation by 5:30pm, which leaves the evening open.

What’s included

• Knowledgeable wine guide leading the full afternoon.
• tastings at three Gibbston cellar doors.
• guided tour through New Zealand's largest wine cave.
• antipasto board paired with one of the tastings.
• hotel pickup and return to your Queenstown accommodation.
• all wine tastings and GST included.

Options for this experience

3 options

Classic wine tour, 1:30 pm to 5:30 pmGuide in English · 13:30Runs 4 hours and includes wine tastings and antipasto, visiting Queenstown and Gibbston in a luxury vehicle or minivan, with complimentary hotel transfers. Classic Wine Tour: an enjoyable, hands-on afternoon exploring the scenic wine country of Central Otago, with tastings at 3 different wineries. Pickup is included.

Cruise combined with a wine tourGuide in English · 11:00Earnslaw cruise lasting 2 hours, the cruise itself runs 1.5 hours, includes pickup

Zipline and wine tour combinationGuide in English · 10:30Zipline, lasting 2 hours, pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30, 11:00 and 13:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 16 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 effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Appellation Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book the Classic Wine Tour if you want an afternoon that doesn't require driving yourself or navigating between wineries. The guide handles the route and the timing, so you can focus on the wines and the landscape. Choose the Ziplining and Wine Tour Combo or Cruise and Wine Tour if you want to pair this tasting with another activity on the same day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What's actually inside the Gibbston Valley wine cave?

The cave is an underground cellar carved into the hillside where the winery ages and stores its Pinot Noir. Your guide takes you through it and you taste wine inside the cave itself, surrounded by the aging stock.

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

No. The guide is there to teach you about Central Otago Pinot Noir and how the region developed. The tastings are interactive, not a test. You'll learn as you go.

Is the antipasto board included with all three tastings or just one?

The antipasto board is included to accompany one of the wine tastings, paired with whichever cellar door your guide chooses based on the day's flow.

What time does the tour finish and how do I get back to my hotel?

The tour returns you to your Queenstown accommodation at approximately 5:30pm. Hotel pickup and return are included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for the afternoon: layers are a good idea in Central Otago, where the temperature can shift quickly.