Blog

1st November 2017

Queenstown and Central Otago are famous for some of the world’s best wine Pinot Noir, although it’s not just Pinot Noir that we’re good at!

Here are our favourite ways to experience the beautiful wineries and cellar doors around the region – an experience for every type of “wine-o”….

The urban Queenstown wine-o experience | the “world’s largest tasting of NZ wine”

At “The Winery”, you can taste over 80 New Zealand wines in one place, conveniently located in central Queenstown! They encourage you sit in their cosy leather armchairs and take your time. Enjoy the incredible selection of wine and award-winning local cheeses accompanied by a delicious platter of salamis, breads and olive oils. Plus, you get to choose the wines that you taste!

This is a great option on a rainy day or if you’re running out of time to do a full winery tour.

Exercise & wine | all the fun without the guilt

This is such a fun way to experience the wineries of Gibbston Valley. You can rent bikes in Arrowtown and cruise along the Arrow River. We recommend e-bikes above all, giving you that extra bit of gusto. Not to mention making sure you still have energy to ask the right questions at the cellar door!

From the Arrow River, you’ll ride over the Kawarau bridge and on to the Gibbston Valley itself. Here, a world-class line up of wineries awaits. Taste your way up the valley to where you’ll be picked up at your last stop. Bikes, wine bottles and all!

Wineries in Gibbston include Gibbston Valley winery, Peregrine, Kinross, Chard Farm and Mt Rosa. 

Bespoke Queenstown wine | the ultimate special treat winery tour!

Let us know your wine preferences and we can create a tailor made itinerary for you, arrange private tastings, transfers, lunch and more.

If you have the whole day to play with, you can also extend yourself beyond the Wakatipu and Gibbston Valleys towards Cromwell to the Bendigo, Lowburn and Bannockburn wine making regions. Wineries here include Carrick, Mt Difficulty, Felton Road and Terra Sancta, or Wanaka (Maude). 

Eating’s just as important as wining | eating’s not cheating

If you’re after the whole culinary experience, then it’s hard to beat Amisfield Bistro & Cellar Door. Conveniently located just 5 minutes drive from Arrowtown or 15 minutes drive from central Queenstown, you’ll find a beautiful long lunch which they’re famous for. Their stunning wines will be paired with your eating experience. We recommend visiting the on-site cellar door and asking for a tour of the vines.

Just down the road from Amisfield is Akarua Wines & Kitchen, which offers a creative menu with their wines. The winery is set in a beautiful converted cottage or their perfectly overgrown and sunny courtyard.

If you’re staying in Queenstown and want to make a day of it, we recommend driving out to Carrick or Mt Difficulty in Bannockburn. Their sensational selection of fresh and creative meals and special vintages are equally not to be missed.

If you’d like to try any of these wine-o experiences, just contact your MajorDomo concierge. We’d love to hear from you!