Queenstown Wine and Craft Beer Tour
Our trip to New Zealand didn’t exactly start out easy.
What was supposed to be a carefully planned adventure turned into a last-minute destination change thanks to the military. Then, just to keep things interesting, Qantas lost my luggage for our entire stay in Auckland and the first two days we were in Queenstown. As if that wasn’t enough, heavy rain and wind flooded parts of Queenstown right before we arrived, with snow rolling in immediately behind us.
By the time we landed in Queenstown, we were tired, missing clothes, and hoping something - anything - would go smoothly.
Sunday was supposed to be our big day: a morning flight to Milford Sound, followed by an afternoon wine and beer tour. Due to the flooding, the Milford Sound tour was unfortunately rescheduled - like, they called us within minutes of landing in Queenstown on Saturday. In a silver-lining twist, we woke up to an absolutely beautiful Queenstown morning. Instead of rushing off, we spent the day wandering the lakefront, soaking in the views, and leisurely exploring Queenstown a little before our afternoon plans.
And then came the Queenstown Twilight Wine & Craft Beer Tour. Spoiler alert: five stars all around.
From the moment we met Lee, our guide, the tone of the day shifted completely. Lee was warm, personable, and genuinely lovely—exactly the kind of guide you want when you’re craving something relaxed and enjoyable. The small group vibe, the scenic drive out to the Gibbston region, and Lee’s easy conversation made it feel more like an afternoon out with friends than a structured tour.
Gibbston Tavern
Our first stop on the tour was Gibbston Tavern and it didn’t feel like a formal tasting room at all — it felt like hanging out at a friend’s house, drink in hand, swapping stories and settling into the rhythm of the day. The atmosphere was relaxed, welcoming, and completely unpretentious. You had your choice of tasting beer or wine, and one of my favorite parts was learning that rosé wines get their color depending how long the skin is on while fermenting. It’s not as long as you’d think!
And then there was Hank - the (un)official star of Gibbston Tavern. Huge, friendly and clearly used to attention, Hank became everyone’s favorite part of the stop.
Kinross
The views here are stunning, they truly look fake!
Kinross is unique in that it serves as a hub for several boutique Central Otago wineries, which made this stop feel like a curated tasting experience rather than a single cellar door visit. It was the perfect place to dive deeper into the region’s wine scene without feeling overwhelmed.
The setting itself is stunning, with sweeping vineyard views and a beautifully designed tasting space that still manages to feel warm and inviting. Our tasting here felt thoughtful and well-paced, giving us time to truly appreciate each wine while learning more about Central Otago’s signature styles and wine history.
There is so much to say about Kinross but a special shout out to Rommel. Honestly, a host can make or break a tour, and Rommel makes you want to come back for more. He’s knowledgeable, engaging, and heavy handed when he pours the wine. It was the kind of place where you could easily linger longer than planned — sipping, chatting, and soaking in the surroundings.
Final Stop: Altitude Brewing
The 5 beers that I chose at Altitude Brewing
Our final stop of the afternoon was Altitude Brewing, and it couldn’t have been a better way to wrap up the tour. Set right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with views of The Remarkables, Altitude Brewing has that invigorating social energy that makes you instantly want to hang out for a while. After a couple of winery stops, this was a change of pace. It felt more like a gathering than a tasting, the kind of hang out spot where you end up chatting and lose track of time.
We were able to choose five different beers for our tasting, which made the experience feel personalized rather than pre-set. Whether you’re into lighter, easy-drinking beers or prefer something bolder and more full-bodied, there’s plenty of variety to build a flight that suits your taste.
Cheers to our first drink of the afternoon! (And rewearing this sweatshirt for the 3rd time due to lost luggage.)
Each stop was a delight. The tastings were unhurried, the settings were stunning, and every location offered something unique. After days of stress and unpredictability, sipping excellent local wine, with my husband, while looking out over Central Otago landscapes felt almost therapeutic. It was the kind of experience that reminds you why you travel in the first place - not just for the sights, but for moments that turn a rough trip around. Also - special thanks to Lee for being kind enough to drop us off at the airport at the end since my luggage had finally arrived!!
If you’re visiting Queenstown and want a relaxed, scenic, genuinely enjoyable experience, I can’t recommend Altitude Tours (and Lee!) highly enough. You can click here to book my exact tour through GetYourGuide but if you’d rather book directly with Altitude Tours, you can find all the tours they offer on their website here.
If a group tour isn’t your thing, you can absolutely visit any of these (and many others!) wineries on your own and at your own pace. Either way you do it, I hope you enjoy your visit!
