Queenstown Wine Trail: 3 Vineyards & Underground Cave Tasting
Three wineries, one underground cave, and the pinot noir that made Queenstown famous
You visit three Gibbston wineries with hosted tastings at each, descend into an underground wine cave, and get a lunch break at a winery restaurant where you choose what to eat and drink. Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Queenstown are included, along with an air-conditioned vehicle and a guide who knows the region. The whole afternoon is paced so you're tasting, not rushing.
Step-by-step itinerary
Wine tastings and lunch in Gibbston
- Tour NZ's largest underground wine cave
- Enjoy fully hosted wine tasting and lunch
- Wine tasting at third boutique winery
What’s included
Your afternoon includes hotel pickup and drop-off from central Queenstown in an air-conditioned vehicle, hosted wine tastings at three Gibbston wineries, a guided tour through New Zealand's largest underground wine cave, and time for lunch at a winery restaurant where you order from the menu at your own cost. A driver and guide are with you throughout.
Times
- Every day 12:00
Before you book
Operated by Queenstown Wine Trail
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
What if the best wine you taste all year comes from a cave carved into a hillside an hour from where you're staying? That's the setup here: an afternoon loop through Gibbston Valley, starting with a descent into New Zealand's largest underground wine cave, where the temperature and the quiet do half the work for you. The guide walks you through what's happening in your glass at each stop, which matters more than you'd think if you've never paid attention to pinot noir before. Three wineries, three tastings, and enough time between them that you're not rushing or pretending to enjoy something you don't.
The tour leaves central Queenstown in an air-conditioned vehicle (hotel pickup is included if you're staying at one of the listed properties), and the drive itself is short enough that you're not spending the afternoon in a car. At the first vineyard, you get the underground cave experience, which is genuinely different from standing in a tasting room. The second stop is where lunch happens, and this is the part that matters: you've got time to actually sit down, order something from the winery's menu (at your own cost), and not feel like you're holding up the group. Some people grab local cheeses and craft beer instead of food, which works just as well. The third vineyard rounds it out with another tasting at a smaller, boutique operation in the same region.
One thing worth knowing: if a listed winery isn't available on your day, they swap in another one that's equally good. It's happened occasionally in 33+ years of running this, and they don't treat it like a problem. The whole afternoon is built around flexibility and small groups, which means you're not standing shoulder-to-shoulder with thirty people trying to hear the tasting notes. If you're not a wine person yet, this is the kind of tour that might change that. If you already are, you'll recognize the quality of what's in front of you.
Is this one for you?Right for wine lovers and curious beginners alike who want to taste Queenstown's pinot noir without arranging transport or navigating between vineyards themselves. The afternoon pace gives you time to sit with each wine and actually taste it, rather than moving through a checklist.
Compare the 9 alternatives
Top questions
Is lunch included in the wine tour price?
Time for lunch is included, and you stop at a winery with food and drink options. Lunch itself is at your own cost. You choose from the à la carte menu.
Which wineries are on the Queenstown wine trail tour?
The tour visits three wineries in Gibbston Valley, including NZ's largest underground wine cave. If a listed winery is unavailable, they substitute another boutique winery in the same region.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off from central Queenstown are included, but only from selected hotels. Confirm your accommodation is on the list when booking.
Do I need to be an experienced wine drinker?
No. The tour includes guided tastings and presentations at each vineyard, so you learn as you go. It's suitable for all fitness levels.
What's the minimum age for this tour?
The minimum drinking age is 18 years. Children are not suitable for this tour.
How far is Gibbston Valley from Queenstown?
The wineries are a short distance from Queenstown, so travel time between stops is minimal.
Can I bring a service animal?
Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.
Queenstown Wine Trail: 3 Vineyards & Underground Cave Tasting
5h 30m · EN · at your hotel
from NZ$ 229 per person
≈ US$ 132 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.