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Browse Through The Best Selection Of Central Otago Wine Tours

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Central Otago Wine Tours Offered by Local Guides

Discover Central Otago's wine scene together with knowledgeable local wine tour guides.

Sunset Happy Hour Cruise

Sunset Happy Hour Cruise

Region Region:
Wanaka, Central Otago, New Zealand
Region Guide:
Tim C

Have a happy hour with wines in Wanaka, Central Otago on a guided wine tour

NZ$62.60 Book now
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Explore our experience categories and discover the perfect wine adventure in Central Otago

Central Otago Wine Map

How to Reach Wine Tasting Experiences in Central Otago

Wine tasting tours in Central Otago are easily accessible by different means of transportation.

By Air

Queenstown is a good starting point for your visit to wine tastings and tours in Central Otago. There are several flights in a day between Wellington and Queenstown. Flights are the simplest and easiest way to get there as it is perfect choice for travelers with limited time. The duration of the flight is 1 hour 30 minutes.

By Car

It is easily accessible to get to wine tastings and tours in Central Otago by car from Queenstown, which is a 1-hour road.
However, if your travel starts from Wellington there is a possibility too. It might take a couple of days to get from capital city, as Wellington is separated from the South Island by the Cook Strait. To drive to Queenstown you'll first need to take the ferry to Picton, at the top of the South Island. Drive from Picton down the east coast, past Kaikoura and Christchurch, and then inland, past Twizel and Tekapo in the Mount Cook district, finally to Queenstown.

Looking for a more specific destination?

Wanaka
Cromwell Basin

Read More about Central Otago

Everything you need to know before you take a tour to Central Otago

Central Otago with an ever-changing landscape has become a centre of attraction for tourists and fans of extreme sports, as well as wine lovers. Everything in this remote region is saturated: its beautiful jagged peaks, bare rocks, crystal clear sky, and turquoise-coloured glacial lakes. In accordance, here is a surprising amount to see and do during your wine tastings and tours in Central Otago.

At WineTourism.com, we provide a wide selection of wine tastings and tours in Central Otago, together with our local partner wineries. Below you will find a list of wine tastings and tours in Central Otago with a direct booking option and a map of the region with the exact location of each winery. Choose your favourite Otago wine tour, let us know, and we will guarantee you the most memorable experience.

What is the best season to experience wine tastings and tours in Central Otago

Every season here brings with it a new series of changes: vibrant blossom-filled spring, glorious summer, golden glowed autumn, and icy winter. However, summer and autumn are the seasons for full-on outdoor living and fun. It's the ideal time to try anything from the vast valley floors to the rock tor skyline, and of course to have wine tastings and tours in Central Otago.

What to do in Central Otago?

There is much more to do once you fully enjoy wine tastings and tours in Central Otago. You can experience the life of New Zealand’s Early Gold Miners, get charmed by Ophir town of Central Otago, and make sure to visit the City of Alexandra, where the wine and nature meet.

  • Cycling on a trail through the incredibly beautiful landscapes of Lake Dunstan.
  • Get your adrenaline levels up in Highlands Motorsport Park Cromwell.
  • Enjoy to the fullest with the home of the Lord of the Rings.

What to taste in Central Otago?

Here are some wine suggestions you should definitely try during wine tastings in Central Otago:
Pinot Noir - a standout variety with an increasing reputation as the region and its vines evolve. Fruits that are fragrant and lush, with a strong frame, silky feel, and true strength.
Chardonnay - citrus and mineral characters, tightly structured, delicate, and refined; can be constrained when young but reveals great sophistication and beauty as it matures.
Sauvignon Blanc - mineral and gunflint of herbaceousness, with pineapple and passionfruit on top.

What is the typical wine tasting and tour in Central Otago like?

Wineries are carefully organized for the visit of guests, focusing on comfort and aesthetics. During your wine tastings and tours in Central Otago well-designed tasting rooms with the view of mountains and lakes will leave you impressed. Under the guidance of a tour, you will be able to get to know about local winemaking history and practices. After the tour, the well-selected wines are combined with seasonal local dishes and snacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most frequently asked questions by our visitors

Language tips for wine tastings and tours in Central Otago

English is the predominant language spoken in New Zealand. However, the Māori language of Indigenous  Māori people is also an official language of the country.
We put together some of  Māori words you might find useful while experiencing wine tastings and tours in Central Otago:
“Wāina” – Wine
“Winiiti” – Winery
“Māra wāina” – Vineyard
“Harikoa!” – Cheers!

Are you interested in
reading more about Central Otago?

Read our travel guide to the Central Otago wine region, or discover our very selection of wineries in Central Otago.

If you are looking for organized tours, check out our list of guided wine tours.