Ah, the wine tasting tour. Queenstown is known for many things, but stunning glasses of award-winning wine might be at the top of the list. Whether you’re heading down south for a bachelorette party with friends or taking your loved ones to the region for a taste of Queenstown’s summer, there’s nothing better than this.
At True South Flights, we’re well-known for our Queenstown scenic flights, which is why we have our finger on the pulse of this region’s tourism. To help you plan your trip, we’re taking on the best wine tasting tours Queenstown has to offer. Settle in as we cover the kinds of wine you can expect from Queenstown, as well as some of our favourite places to explore. Let’s dive in!
What Kind of Wine is Queenstown Known For?
One particular area of Queenstown – Gibbston – has another name: “The Valley of the Vines”. This is well-known as one of the most scenic wine-growing areas in the country, nestled snugly between jagged mountains and the iconic Kawarau River gorge.
But it’s not just the scenery that makes this region significant. Despite its beauty, the cold winters that sweep over this piece of Queenstown mean that the wines that grow here are robust and unique. A big swing from night-to-day temperatures, the arid summers, and the frigid winters produce a unique variety of different grapes that have garnered many awards over the years.
In other words, if you’re taking a group of friends anywhere to experience New Zealand wine, it’s got to be here.
Whether you’re flying, trekking, or biking your way through Queenstown’s wine regions, you’ll find about 70% of the grapes you come across are pinot noir. Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris are all common here as well.
With that covered, let’s dive into some wine tasting tours Queenstown has to offer you and your friends when you come to visit!
The Best Wine Tasting Tours Queenstown Offers for Groups
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The Central Otago Wine Tour
Pic Credit: 100% Pure New Zealand
First up, take a small group on a tour of Queenstown’s most boutique vineyards. This tour is special because it will take you and your friends to some of the smaller wineries rather than the larger and more stately wineries. While this might sound less than ideal, the opposite is actually true.
While most of the wine tasting tours Queenstown offers will take you to the popular stops, this tour of smaller spots will give you an intimate look at this stunning wine region. Not to mention, you get to stop and enjoy a gourmet lunch in the middle of a vineyard, which is the perfect place to pause and appreciate the memories you’re making with your friends.
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The Queenstown Classic
Pic Credit: 100% Pure New Zealand
Next up, they call this the Queenstown Classic for a reason. If you’re not looking for a full-day wine tour but want a taste of everything Queenstown’s wineries have in store, this is the trip for you and your friends.
You’ll be spending an afternoon in the Queenstown sunshine, enjoying a half-day driving tour that will take you through three different wineries. If you look carefully, you might even be able to spot adrenaline seekers leaping from the Kawarau Bridge on bungee cords.
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The Gourmet Food, Wine, and Cheese Tour
Pic Credit: Appellation Wine Tours
Take up to twelve friends along on one of the most luxurious wine tasting tours Queenstown has on offer. This tour isn’t just about wine; it’s about delicious food and cheese paired with the best of the best. Enjoy an experienced driver and a live tour so you can learn about the region as you sample what it can produce.
One of the best stops on this tour is the region’s largest wine cave, in which you can learn about the Otago Gold Rush and take a turn around Queenstown’s incredible countryside.
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Bike the Wineries
Pic Credit: Queenstown NZ
Finally, something a little more active if you and your friends want to get some cycling in! Bike the Wineries is a ¾ day wine tour that allows you to ride down the Arrow and Kawarau Rivers, taking in the gorgeous scenery while you sample a delicious array of wines.
On this route you’ll find the Charm arm, Rockburn, Mt Rosa Winery, and Gibbston Valley Winery (which is known as one of the most scenic spots in the whole of Queenstown). This trip is ideal if you have around eight people in your group who don’t mind earning their wine with a bit of a cycle through Queenstown sunshine.
Take on any of the wine tasting tours Queenstown has to offer in style.
Looking for a new and exciting way to explore Queenstown’s wineries? Charter your very own plane to take you hopping across the countryside, complete with an experienced pilot who can give you insights about the region as you cross it.
A private Queenstown charter flight is the perfect solution for a group of friends who want to make the perfect day of it. Whether you’re hosting a bachelorette party or simply gathering with some of your closest friends, this is the best way to mark the occasion. Get in touch with us to explore your options today!
