The Best Wineries in Queenstown & Wanaka

Central Otago, one of New Zealand’s most scenic wine regions and one that we have been lucky enough to spend a fair bit of time in. So, I’ve put together this little post to bring you all the info on the best wineries in Queenstown & Wanaka. If you’re a fan of Pinot Noir then Central Otago produces some of the best in world, along with some awesome white wine varietals. A great place to start is Gibbston Valley, more affectionately known as the ‘valley of the vines’. Vineyards in this area are pretty spectacular, with gorgeous views over rocky schist mountains and valleys interwoven with the Kawarau Gorge.

It’s probably good to point out that I am in no way a wine connoisseur, but I do love a cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc and have been lucky enough to spend the year of Covid in arguably the best place in the world for wine making. So without further ado, lets get into the wineries, my favourite bottles and the best bits about each of them.

Just a note before, hopefully it goes without saying but please drink responsibly. For the wineries in the Gibbston Valley there are different transport options depending on where you are staying. Explore on foot, by bike, by bus or pull straws on who’s the designated driver. If you are considering staying in the Gibbston Valley, which I would highly recommend as it makes visiting the wineries in this area much easier, then I would stay at Kinross Winery & Boutique Cottages – read the full post here.

Kinross Cellar Door

2300 Gibbston Highway, R.D 1 , Queenstown 9371 – Monday – Sunday | 10am-5pm

First up, I recommend a visit to Kinross Winery. So Kinross don’t just have their own wine for you to try they are actually the official cellar door for five boutique Central Otago wineries – Coal Pit, Hawkshead, Kinross, Valli and Wild Irishman.

If you do swing by the cellar door then it is $15 per tasting or complimentary when purchasing a bottle. The tasting was super chill, our host Sam was really informative and the setting is beautiful. Grab a glass and take a wander through the vines. You wont regret trying/buying a bottle of Kinross’ Liquid Gold – Pinot Gris or our personal favourite the Holy Schist – Sauvignon Blanc. Read the full post about our stay at Kinross here.

Rockburn Cellar Door

8 Coal Pit Road, Gibbston 9371 | Monday – Sunday | 12-5pm

Located in a quaint art gallery space at the well-known Gibbston Tavern, we really enjoyed our visit to Rockburn, the wine tasting was super relaxed, we got to try a variety of wines including their award-winning Pinot Noir as well as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Rosé and Fumé Blanc. We wouldn’t usually opt for Riesling but Rockburns Tigermoth was delicious so we bagged a bottle of that to bring home. The tasting fee is waived if you purchase two bottles of any wine.

Brennan Wines

86 Gibbston Back Road, Gibbston 9371 | Thursday – Monday | 11am-5pm

We really enjoyed visiting Brennan, the setting is just lovely and we were able to sit outside in the sunshine and enjoy the views over the rolling vines.

We were given the option of a Host-Guided Tasting for $15pp where you can pick 5 wines and have a more formal explanatory tasting with the Cellar Door Host.

Alternatively, you have the choice to do a Self-Guided Stave Tasting where you can enjoy three 50ml pours at your own pace. Again the tasting fee was waived if you bought a bottle.

Gibbston Valley

1820 State Highway 6, Gibbston, Queenstown, 9371 | Monday – Sunday | 1oam – 5pm

Not just a winery but a cheesery! What’s not to love? Gibbston Valley Winery is in fact the region’s oldest vineyard. They released their first commercial vintage in 1987. Gibbston has the perfect combo of wine and cheese and we loved getting to try both.

A highlight for me was the cheesery, where you can choose from a range of artisan cheese in the deli and then order your favourites on a cheese board that can be paired perfectly with a Gibbston grown wine.

Aitkens Folley

246 Riverbank Rd, RD2, Wanaka, 9382 | Monday – Sunday 11am-5pm(ish)

We visited Aitkens Folley after reading a couple of reviews online and I’m so glad we did. This a family run vineyard with a cosy little tasting room set in the outskirts of Wanaka. There’s a super relaxed vibe and we felt so welcome and at home.

The hosts Ian and Fiona moved to New Zealand from the UK in 2008 to set up their glorious little vineyard. A very chilled out setting with no nonsense wine tasting and a very good Chardonnay, which is rare for me to say as I definitely wouldn’t usually opt for a Chardonnay but Aitkens Folly have a good’un.

Wet Jacket

1 Bendemeer Lane, 903 State Highway 6, Lake Hayes | Monday to Sunday 11am-6pm

Wet Jacket wines at Bendemeer Woolshed is such a delightful little stop off. Whether you want to sit back and enjoy their summer sessions with live music, sample a wine infused cocktail, taste a few wines or just rock up for a caffeine fix at the winter coffee cart, Wet Jacket Wines has you covered.

Wet Jacket is a great place to begin your Central Otago wine journey as it is right at the beginning of the Gibbston Wine Trail, just after Lake Hayes.  The cheapest way we found to get out here, without having to drive was to catch the bus from the centre of Queenstown ($2NZD pp) to the stop just outside of Amisfield Bistro & Winery and then walk the 15 minutes up to Wet Jacket.