Known for its cool-climate wines, spectacular scenery and welcoming cellar doors, Gibbston is one of Queenstown’s must-visit destinations for wine lovers. Pinot Noir is the star of the show here, alongside a growing selection of exceptional white wines, local food and relaxed tasting experiences.
Whether you’re visiting a cellar door, enjoying a long lunch among the vines or joining one of our guided wine tours from Queenstown, Gibbston combines great wine, incredible scenery and plenty of character.
Gibbston is best known for its vineyards, dramatic alpine scenery and exceptional Pinot Noir. Often referred to as the Valley of the Vines, it is one of the closest major wine areas to Queenstown and home to a collection of boutique wineries and cellar doors.
Gibbston is approximately a 25–30 minute drive from central Queenstown, making it an easy destination for a half-day or full-day wine experience.
Joining a guided wine tour means you can relax, enjoy the scenery and make the most of the tastings without worrying about driving.
Gibbston is home to a fantastic collection of wineries and cellar doors, including Gibbston Valley Winery, Kinross and other boutique producers throughout the valley.
The wineries visited on our tours can vary, allowing us to showcase a great selection of local wines and tasting experiences.
Pinot Noir is the variety Gibbston is best known for.
The valley’s cooler climate and distinctive landscape create ideal conditions for producing elegant, expressive Pinot Noir. You’ll also find excellent Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and other cool-climate varieties throughout the area.
Not at all.
Our wine tours are designed to be relaxed, social and approachable. Whether you know everything about wine or simply enjoy a good glass, our guides and winery hosts will make the experience informative without taking things too seriously.
There’s much more to Gibbston than wine.
The area is surrounded by striking mountain scenery and the Kawarau Gorge, with cycling trails, walking opportunities and adventure activities nearby. It’s also home to the historic Kawarau Bridge, one of Queenstown’s most famous adventure locations.
Of course, pairing all of that with a winery visit isn’t a bad way to spend the day either.
Absolutely. You can drive or cycle through the valley and visit individual cellar doors.
However, joining a guided wine tour from Queenstown means your transport, itinerary and tastings are taken care of, so everyone in your group can enjoy the wine.
Yes. If you find a favourite during your tastings, most cellar doors have bottles available to purchase.
Many wineries can also arrange shipping within New Zealand, with international delivery available from selected producers.
Central Otago can be enjoyed at all times of the year, especially the wines. The two peak seasons for visitors in Central Otago are Winter for the ski season (June – September) and Summer (December – April).
Definitely.
Gibbston is ideal for couples, families, small groups and special occasions. Altitude Tours can create private wine experiences with flexible itineraries, winery visits and dining options tailored around your group.
Experiences you’ll forget to pull your phone out for.