Best Vineyards to Visit in Queenstown

Our favorite Queenstown Wineries

Central Otago is home to over 200 vineyards. While all the vineyards are worth visiting, you probably won’t have time to see all of them on your holiday, so we’ve collected a list of our ten favorite vineyards in the Queenstown area.

Central Otago has hot summers, cold winters, and mineral-rich soil, making it an ideal area for growing grapes.

The Central Otago Pinot Noir is one of the most popular wines in the area, but Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay are also featured.

Top 10 Favorite Queenstown Vineyards

As you tour Queenstown’s vineyards, you’ll be astounded by the fabulous views, charming tasting rooms, and delectable wines. Local vineyards have views over Lake Wanaka, the Southern Alps, and the Remarkables. Cellar doors are hosted by knowledgeable and friendly staff. Each location is unique, and many of the tasting rooms are converted historical buildings. Touring Queenstown vineyards is one of the most satisfactory ways to get to know this fabulous region.

Chard Farm

Chard Farm is known for its spectacular views, both on the drive and from the winery itself. Enjoy views over the Kawarau River as you drive the unsealed road to reach this spectacular winery. The cellar door looks like it was transported from Tuscany and is absolutely charming. The Pinot Noir is famous, but don’t miss the Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Attentive hosts will walk you through a wine tasting, which is offered free if you buy wine or make a donation to charity.

The vineyard is ripe with beautiful flowers in summer and stunning snow in winter.

Amisfield

Amisfield was established in 1988 and is the closest vineyard to Queenstown. This winery offers Pinot Noir and aromatic white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. The Cellar Door is located in a historic stone building. Platters are available along with your tasting.

Amisfield also offers a Bistro. Diners can choose the “Trust the Chef” menu, which is served family-style and features fresh produce and ingredients with wine pairings. In the winter, visitors can enjoy an indoor fireplace to keep warm.

Akarua Wines & Kitchen

The Akarua cellar door is set on a property with a charming garden and historic cottage. Akarua also hosts a wonderful kitchen that serves breakfast and lunch. The tasting room offers a hands-on tasting experience led by experienced staff. Choose up to five wines during your tasting experience. Akarua wines range from Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay, Reisling, and Pinot Gris.

Gibbston Valley

Gibbston Valley was established in the 1980s and released its first vintage in 1987. The winery Cellar Door offers cheese and meat platters and a variety of light bites to go along with your tasting. Tours are available, and visitors can see the underground cellars and learn everything there is to know about wine production.

Wet Jacket

This area was named Wet Jacket after Captain Cook and his crew spent six weeks moored in Pickersgill Harbor, and their jackets got wet during days of storms. Wet Jacket’s Cellar Door is located in the Woolshed. This area was a sheep farm, and the woolshed dates back over 150 years. A visit to Wet Jacket is more than a wine tasting. Wet Jacket incorporates the long history and natural beauty of the area into its fabulous, boutique wines.

On summer Fridays, Wet Jacket hosts a food truck and live music. Locals sit out on the lawn in bean bags and enjoy warm nights.

Rippon Winery

Rippon Winery features fabulous views over Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps. In fact, some say this is the most photographed vineyard in the world. This land has been cared for by the same family, the Mills, for over 100 years. The Mills started planting vines in the 1980s and produced their first vintage in 1989.

Rippon Winery uses no irrigation and focuses on biodynamic farming to ensure the land is cared for, and the wine remains true to the earth. The cellar door is open Wednesday through Sunday, from noon until 5:00 pm. A wine purchase or donation to charity is recommended for those enjoying a complimentary tasting.

Rippon offers six varieties: Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gamay, Gewurztraminer, Osteiner, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Brennan Wines

Central Otago is known for Pinot Noir, and Brennan Wines serves one of the best. The Brennan family bought the land in the 1990s and began planting the vineyard. This family-run boutique vineyard offers exceptional wines, friendly staff, and fabulous views. The Tasting Room used to be a vineyard shed and now offers rustic, authentic Kiwi charm.

Brennan Wines offers a variety of platters that visitors can enjoy with their wine tasting. In addition, visitors can enjoy a picnic in the gorgeous outdoor area and truly immerse themselves in the vineyard atmosphere.

Brennan produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rosé, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat, and Gibbston’s only Tempranillo.

Rockburn Wines

Rockburn Wines offers another unique setting. Rockburn Stables tasting room is located near the Gibbston Tavern, the site of the historic gold miners’ Gibbston Hotel. This site is between Cardrona and the Remarkables ski fields, making it an excellent stop for after skiing refreshments. Rockburn offers Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Rosé, Riseling, and Fumé Blanc.

Mt. Difficulty Wines

The Cellar Door at Mt. Difficulty offers dramatic views of Bannockburn’s rock and thyme landscape. The Cellar Door is located high above the winery and overlooks the Cromwell Basin and Lake Dunstan. The knowledgeable and friendly staff will walk you through an enriching wine tasting.

The Winery Restaurant is next door to the cellar door and offers lunch. During nice weather, diners can sit on the outdoor terrace and enjoy the views. During winter, a roaring fire keeps visitors warm and cosy.

Enjoy Queenstown Vineyards

Queenstown offers a host of delightful and memorable vineyards that will keep you returning year after year. When you visit Queenstown, stay in a Bachcare property and enjoy a memorable holiday home away from home.