11 of the best Queenstown wineries
Queenstown is a short drive from one of the most scenic wine regions in New Zealand. Here are some of the top vineyards to sip pinot noir and enjoy lunch.
Exploring Queenstown’s vineyards is an opportunity to taste the terroir and dine at restaurants serving exquisite seasonal cuisine.
The area between Queenstown and Cromwell is dense with wineries. The limestone rich soil and dry climate make this valley an ideal place for growing pinot noir grapes in particular.
It’s also an exceptionally beautiful area, with the blue Kawerau River in the bottom of the valley, and rocky hills rising around the rustic vineyard buildings.
If you fancy sitting and sipping some of New Zealand’s best wine in beautiful Central Otago vineyards, here’s what you need to know.
Queenstown wine
The combination of cool climate, ample sunshine, and well-drained soils make the Queenstown wine region of Central Otago an ideal environment for growing grapes.
This terroir imparts distinct flavours, vibrant acidity, and elegant aromas to Queenstown wines.
In the past three decades, the Central Otago grape growing region has grown to cover 2000 hectares of vines — 3% of New Zealand’s winegrowing area.
Pinot Noir makes up three quarters of the vines in Central Otago. Queenstown's Pinot Noir has gained world renown for its vibrant red fruit flavours, balanced acidity, and silky-smooth tannins.
White varietals like Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay are also stellar performers in the Central Otago area. I adore the Rieslings from this area.
Queenstown winery map
From Queenstown, you’re within an hour’s drive of 200 Central Otago vineyards.
Most people head to the Gibbston wine region, which is the closest to Queenstown. Located between Queenstown and Cromwell, Gibbston is where you can find renowned names like Gibbston Valley Vineyard, Amisfield, and Chard Farm.
These are some of my favourite vineyards to visit while you’re in the Queenstown area.
The best Queenstown wineries to visit
Don’t leave Queenstown without paying a visit to these exceptional cellar doors.
Plan ahead and you can enjoy lunch as well as a tasting at these exquisite vineyards.
1) Amisfield Restaurant & Cellar Door
Tasting cost | $15 for up to five wines
Food available | Restaurant for lunch or dinner
Amisfield is one of the best wineries in Queenstown, setting the bar for architecture, cuisine, and wine alike. The cellar door is in a stunning stone building which blends seamlessly into the Central Otago landscape.
Amisfield produces pinot noirs — like most vineyards in the area — but they are also well known for aromatic white wines.
I’m a riesling enthusiast, and Amisfield’s riesling is one of my go tos. It’s not too sweet and doesn’t have that strong kerosene taste some rieslings can have.
As well as having great wine, Amisfield’s restaurant is very highly regarded. Dishes at Amisfield are an exploration of the season's best local produce, celebrating local hunters, gatherers and farmers.
Multiple courses take you on a journey through flavours of the region, and of course matched with wines produced on the single vineyard estate.
Amisfield is one of the best restaurants in Queenstown, so if you want to take your vineyard experience to the next level, treat yourself to the tasting menu with matched wines here.
2) Kinross Winery & Cellar Door
Tasting cost | $25
Food available | Breakfast and lunch available at the bistro
Kinross is one of the best places near Queenstown to go for a wine tasting, because they also partner with vineyards Coal Pit, Hawkshead, Valli and Wild Irishman.
This is a great place to go if you only have a short time to explore the region.
At the Kinross Cellar door, you can taste a selection of wines from these five different vineyards, getting to experience the different influences and terroirs of each one.
Valli Wine, for example, is made by pioneering Central Otago winemaker, Grant Taylor. The single origin Valli Wines are made from grapes from Central Otago vineyards in Gibbston, Bendigo, Bannockburn and Waitaki, which means you can experiences different regional varieties without needing to travel further than Kinross.
Kinross' own wine label likes to do things differently. I love the names of their wines — their cleverly named Holy Schist Sauvignon Blanc is delicious.
The bistro dining at Kinross is a beautiful spot for lunch, with a range of sharing plates and pizzas on offer.
Kinross also offers some beautiful vineyard cottage accommodation if you want to truly immerse yourself in the winegrowing experience and stay for a night or two amongst the grapes.
3) Mt Rosa Wines
Tasting cost | $20 for 5 wines
Food available | Snacks and platters, here’s the menu
Mt Rosa is a family owned, single estate vineyard. Hand picked grapes and a range of varietals mean Mt Rosa wines capture the essence of the region in each bottle.
The cellar door is small and friendly — it’s the kind of place you can settle into for a while and enjoy the views of the golden hills and rows of vines. Visiting Mt Rosa winery feels like having a drink at a friend’s place.
There’s a sunny courtyard where you can sit in summer, and a toasty fire in winter.
4) Peregrine Wines
Tasting cost | Free! For 3 wines. You need to make a booking.
Food available | No food available
Peregrine Wines is instantly recognizable for its striking architecture, designed to resemble the wingspan of a falcon in flight.
Peregrine is another vineyard with outstanding whites. I’m a huge fan of their Rieslings, which have delicious lemon curdy and nectarine notes.
Their pinot noirs are also top notch.
The cool thing about Peregrine is how they are a biodynamic vineyard.
They’re passionate about using regenerative practices in their vineyard and preserving the land, which is important given the high environmental impact of growing grapes.
5) Terra Sancta
Terra Sancta is a vineyard located in Bannockburn, close to Cromwell. The winery sits on rocky mountain slopes above the Kawerau River.
This vineyard is home to the first vines planted in Bannockburn back in 1991.
The single vineyard Pinot Noirs stand out, but Terra Sancta also produces delicious white wines such as Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Gris.
6) Mt Difficulty Winery
Tasting cost | $10 per person
Food available | Restaurant for lunch
Mt Difficulty is found in Bannockburn. This winery is around 50 minutes drive from Queenstown.
Mt Difficulty is most renowned for its Pinot Noir production. The winery's dedication to this grape variety has resulted in a range of Pinot Noirs that showcase the elegance, structure, and vibrant fruit flavors that Central Otago is celebrated for. Their Pinot Noirs often exhibit red and dark berry fruit characteristics with a subtle spiciness.
The cellar door is gorgeous — it’s worth visiting for the views of rugged rock and thyme landscapes as much as for the wine itself.
The outdoor terrace is has a sweeping view of the surrounding vines and orchards. It’s one of the best Queenstown wineries for simply relaxing and enjoying the view.
7) Chard Farm
Tasting cost: Free if you buy a bottle, otherwise the cost is a donation to local charities
Chard Farm is a charming winery located in the Gibbston subregion of Central Otago. One of the pioneering wineries in this region, Chard Farm is known for its picturesque location and excellent wine.
The winery is set against a backdrop of rugged, rocky cliffs, making it one of the most visually striking winery destinations near Queenstown.
Chard Farm founders, Rob and Gerdi Hay, were among the early pioneers in Central Otago's wine industry and played a significant role in establishing the region's reputation for producing exceptional Pinot Noir.
Chard Farm is particularly celebrated for its Pinot Noir production. Chard Farm's Pinot Noirs are often noted for their red fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and fine tannins.
The winery offers a welcoming and relaxed tasting experience for visitors. The tasting room, housed in a rustic building, provides a cosy atmosphere to sample a range of Chard Farm wines.
8) Brennan Wines
Tasting cost | $20 for 5 wines
Food available | A range of platters are available
Brennan Wines is a small family owned and operated vineyard. All of their wines are grown and produced on site.
Attention to detail is at the heart of Brennan Wines' winemaking philosophy. From hand-picking grapes to gentle pressing and meticulous barrel selection, each step is carefully executed to ensure the highest quality.
Their limited-production approach allows for precise control over the winemaking process, resulting in wines that are a true reflection of the region's terroir.
The tasting room is set in an old vineyard shed, so it has both rustic charm and views.
9) Gibbson Valley Vineyard
Tasting cost | $20.50 to tour the biggest wine cave in New Zealand, and taste 3 wines
Food available | Gibbston Valley has a full restaurant for lunch.
Gibbston Valley Vineyard is one of the most iconic names in the region.
The winery is home to the region’s oldest vineyards, New Zealand’s largest wine cave, a bistro-style restaurant and cellar door.
Gibbston Valley was a pioneer of Pinot Noir — the first commerical release of this variety was from Gibbston Valley Winery in 1987.
One of the defining features of Gibbston Valley Vineyard is its stunning location. Set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and the tranquil Kawarau River, the vineyard offers breathtaking views.
The unique microclimate of the Gibbston Valley, characterised by long sunshine hours and cool temperatures, creates an ideal environment for grape cultivation, particularly for the renowned Pinot Noir varietal.
Because it’s more established, Gibbston Valley does feel larger and more commercial than some of the smaller vineyards in the area. With a cellar door, restaurant, and deli, it’s one of the main winery destinations near Queenstown.
This can be a good or a bad thing, depending on how you see it. If you want to experience an iconic Queenstown location, go. If you want a quieter, more intimate vineyard experience, opt for Mt Rosa or Brennan instead.
Either way, the courtyard at Gibbston Valley Vineyard is a gorgeous spot to stop for lunch.
10) Mora Wines
Tasting cost | $15 for 5 wines
Food available | Lunch restaurant
Formerly called Akarua Wines, Mora is located on the road to Arrowtown. It’s well worth a stop for a tasting at their cellar door, or lunch at their restaurant.
Mora Artisan Kitchen offers cuisine made from scratch with ingredients sourced from around the South Island.
11) Coxs’ Vineyard
Tasting cost: $30.00 or free with a purchase
Selected library stock upon request. Tasting free waived upon purchase of wine.
Coxs’ Vineyard is a family owned and operated wine producer dedicated to growing ultra premium Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
All of their grapes come from the small, 3 hectare vineyard. As a single vineyard wine producer, Coxs’ Vineyard produces high quality wines without blending.
Their wines are exclusively available at the cellar door or a select few restaurants around the country. You’ll be tasting truly unique wines here.
Coxs’ Vineyard runs tastings on an appointment only basis, so call or email ahead of time to schedule a visit. It’s worth it to experience one of the more off the beaten path wineries near Queenstown.
As an added bonus, the tasting room doubles as a gallery, so you can browse some artwork while you’re there.
The best wineries for lunch near Queenstown
Although most of the wineries near Queenstown offer some form of food — typically snacks and platters — not all of them have a full restaurant.
The ones that do offer superb cuisine that complements the wines produced in the area. Sitting down for a long lunch at a winery near Queenstown is an excellent way to spend a few hours.
The best wineries for lunch are:
Amisfield
Mora
Gibbston Valley
Mt Difficulty
Kinross
Make sure you book a table in advance — these winery restaurants can get busy at lunchtime, especially on weekends.
Getting around Queenstown’s wineries
It’s easy to visit Queenstown’s wineries on a day trip, or as part of a road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown.
You have three options for getting around Queenstown’s wineries:
Book a tour.
Go on a self-guided cycle tour.
Arrange your own transport.
I recommend booking a tour, or organising a taxi back and forth to just one vineyard.
I did a self-guided cycle tour of the Kawerau valley and Queenstown’s best wineries on bicycle. It was wonderful to be mobile between the vineyards. The scenery along the trail is an absolute treat.
However, by the time we got to Mt Rosa I was well and truly tipsy, and struggling to pedal up the slight hill to get to the cellar door (we did not have e-bikes) really wasn’t much fun.
I tend to find that three vineyards is about the max number of tastings I can do before I just want to sit and enjoy a glass or two in beautiful surroundings. At some point you won’t want to cycle anymore, so I would recommend getting picked up somewhere and not trying to cycle to an end point.
Or pick one spot with transport there and away, or do a wine tour that will transport you to a couple of great vineyards and help you avoid the pain of riding a bike while drunk.
If you want to go and settle in somewhere, I recommend Kinross for their selection, or Mt Difficulty for the view and general ambiance.
