NOTE: We are open & operating in RED. COVID-19 Vaccine Passports required. Find out more here.

Welcome to Appellation Wine Tours

Appellation Wine Tours is Queenstown’s leading premium wine tasting tour company with over 23 years of experience showcasing the finest wine, scenery and history throughout Central Otago.

Our award-winning all-inclusive wine tasting tours have been designed to educate, enlighten and indulge you with the very best Central Otago has to offer. We hope to leave you with a lasting impression of a perfect and memorable day out.

Our Specialist Wine Guides have a true passion for Central Otago and they are eager to share their knowledge of local sights and history and of course everything wine!

Our Daily Wine Tasting Tours are designed for individuals, couples or groups to enjoy a spectacular day out in Central Otago wine country together. Departing from Queenstown, visit up to three wine sub-regions including Gibbston, Cromwell and Bannockburn. See, taste and learn the unique differences of each region.

Whether you choose a small-group tour or a Private Wine Tasting Tour, you will experience regions famous for their outstanding cool-climate wines, boutique vineyards, dramatic scenery and fascinating pioneering history.

We change our tour itineraries every day and vineyard requests can be included when notified in advance. Some vineyards also offer craft beer tastings and we can endeavour to include these venues if they are of interest.

So start planning your Central Otago wine tasting touring experience today! We can’t wait to have you along.

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Special Offer!

Save $20 on our Daily & Private tours with promo code "APPELLATION" when booking direct.
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Join one of our daily small-group tours and experience the best of the region

Gourmet Food and Wine Tour

Experience an indulgent and diverse full-day wine tasting touring adventure showcasing the very best sights and tastes from the Central Otago region.

Enjoy a guided tour through New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave at Gibbston Valley Winery, and savour a unique 5-dish gourmet lunch cooked in retired oak barrels and perfectly matched with 5 wines at The Stoaker Room restaurant.

Boutique Wine Tour

Enjoy wine tastings from four premium vineyards over three contrasting wine sub-regions; Gibbston and the lesser-known Cromwell and Bannockburn basin.

Stop in for lunch at a vineyard restaurant and savour a delightful platter-style lunch made with locally sourced produce and accompanied by a flight of wines.

Classic Wine Tour

While away the afternoon in the "Valley of the Vines".

Get a real taste for Central Otago wines on this fun and interactive afternoon tour. Let one of our experienced Wine Guides whisk you away to Queenstown’s neighbouring wine region, Gibbston, aptly known as the “Valley of the Vines”.

Queenstown Highlights Tour

Sit back, relax and soak up the sights and attractions on a morning of guided sightseeing.

The Queenstown Highlights Tour visits Arrowtown, Gibbston, AJ Hackett Bungy, Gibbston Valley Winery and makes sure you leave no highlights unseen!

Our local knowledge and strong relationships with the vineyards of Central Otago will ensure you a highly personalised wine experience

Combine our iconic wine tours with an outstanding range of Queenstown experiences and let us save you time and money

Jet Boat and Wine Tour

Enjoy an adrenaline-filled hour of jet boating followed by a relaxing afternoon among the boutique vineyards of Central Otago.

Tour runs from 10am – 4:30pm every day (on demand).

Zip and Sip Tour

Spend a morning among the trees followed by a afternoon among the vines!

4-line ziplining with varying start and finish times.

Golf and Wine Tour

Golfing on pristine grounds in the morning and tasting premium wines in the afternoon – the ultimate for golf and wine lovers and the icing on the cake is that we organise it all for you!

Cruise and Wine Tour

A leisurely 90 minute scenic cruise on the 110 year old, coal fired steamship TSS Earnslaw from the Queenstown lakefront to Walter Peak High Country Farm and return.

Don't just take our word for it!  Our reviews speak for themselves...

  • “Our guide John was very knowledgeable about New Zealand wines. While driving us, he told us about the successes and failures of the people who introduced wine making to New Zealand and specifically spoke about the history of the vineyards we were visiting. 

    Our tour included a short visit to Arrowtown and tastings at a few different vineyards including a visit to Gibbston’s wine cave. Our gourmet lunch at the Stoaker Room was served family style and was accompanied by a flight of wine pairings. The group size was limited to 12 people, which gave us a chance to learns a little about the others on our tour. This was a lovely tour and an enjoyable day."


    LCL-travels, Nov. 2023 (Trip Advisor).
  • "This is truly a terrific wine tour of Central Otago from Queenstown. Lewis the local driver and guide was outstanding. He was very personable and knowledgeable helping the 12 people on the trip to get to know one another. 

    We visited 4 wineries Rockburn, Scott Base, Carrick Winery and Nockie’s Palette which enabled us to compare the differences in the common grape varieties in the region. A platter lunch at Carrick Winery was most enjoyable."

    michaeljP3260HB,  Nov. 2023 (Trip Advisor).
  • "We started with a Jet Boat ride which was exhilarating on a K jet. John our wine tour driver picked us up on time as planned. An ex Canadian in love with Kiwi town. His wine / history/ scenery knowledge 2nd to none. Our wineries were great selection and product was tasty. 

    Favorite winery was Te Kano because of the beautiful comedic delivery of a Chinese Ex Pat ( now full Kiwi) wine professional. Stunning views. Boutique winery. Very tasty drop of 4 wines. Recommend this tour."

    Greg_M. Nov. 2023 (Trip Advisor).
  • “Our favourite experience so far in Queenstown. The wineries were great, we loved Akarua and Mt Rosa. Central Otago Pinot noirs are sooooo good!
    The group of people we did the wine tasting with were fun and friendly and our tour guide/driver was the best of all. 

    John aka “Dave” was knowledgeable, funny, and honestly seemed like he’d taken some advanced driving lessons- because he drove so well!

    Loved the stories, learning about Maori history and of course the NZ AU jokes too 😂
    Highly recommend this activity!"

    Jenny_D, Oct. 2023 (Trip Advisor).
  • "Amazing day through the rich wine and food country of the Gibbston Valley, Cromwell, Bannockburn and Arrowtown.
    We did the Gourmet tour as recommended by David and hosted by John. The hosting was fantastic with an engaging narrative from a true Queenstown local and inclusive experience.
    Loved every minute, drop and bite. Highly recommend this tour experience."

    BrettTCole, Nov. 2023 (Trip Advisor).
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