The Gibbston Valley’s Kinross Winery packs a punch with straightforward, well-organized wine experiences. Their standout tours – Valli, Pinot Noir, and Premium Central Otago – deliver exactly what serious wine enthusiasts want: quality tastings without the touristy frills. I’m especially fond of their self-guided bike tour option, which smartly combines outdoor adventure with wine tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery – it’s a refreshing change from traditional tastings.
The tours are practical and accessible, accommodating both small and large groups with hassle-free booking. This is the kind of place that lets the wines speak for themselves, which is exactly what you want in New Zealand’s premier wine region.
Ready to explore South Island’s best wine tours? Let’s start with our top picks.
Key Points
- Kinross Winery in Queenstown offers multiple wine tasting experiences, including Valli, Pinot Noir, Premium, Wild Irishman, and Classic, catering to different group sizes.
- The Valli Wine Tasting Experience focuses on renowned wines from Gibbston Valley, with a guided tasting led by a wine advisor at the Cellar Door & Cottages.
- The Pinot Noir Wine Tasting Experience highlights acclaimed Pinot Noir wines from Gibbston Valley, taking place at the Cellar Door & Cottages.
- The Premium Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience features wines from the Central Otago region, conducted at Kinross Winery’s Cellar Door & Cottages.
- The Half-Day Self-Guided Ride and Wine Bike Tour offers an 8.6-mile cycling tour through Central Otago’s landscapes, culminating in a wine tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery.
Kinross Winery: Valli Wine Tasting Experience
The Kinross Winery: Valli Wine Tasting Experience offers visitors a chance to explore the renowned wines of the Gibbston Valley in South Island, New Zealand.
Located at 2300 Gibbston Highway in Queenstown, the winery welcomes guests to its Cellar Door & Cottages for a guided tasting. A wine advisor will meet participants at the Kinross Cellar Door and lead them through the experience.
The wine tasting includes sampling the winery’s offerings. With a maximum of 21 travelers per tour, the experience caters to small groups.
Accessibility is prioritized, as the winery is wheelchair-accessible and service animals are welcome. Most travelers can participate, as long as they’re over 18 years old.
Booking is straightforward, with confirmation received at the time of reservation, free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and a reserve now, pay later option.
At a starting price of $25.72 per person, the Kinross Winery: Valli Wine Tasting Experience provides an accessible and affordable way to discover the flavors of the South Island’s renowned wine region.
Read our full review: Kinross Winery: Valli Wine Tasting Experience Review
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Kinross Winery: Pinot Noir Wine Tasting Experience
Visitors to Kinross Winery can experience the renowned Pinot Noir wines of the Gibbston Valley through the Pinot Noir Wine Tasting Experience.
Located in South Island, New Zealand, the winery welcomes guests to its Cellar Door & Cottages, where the tasting takes place. Priced from $25.72 per person, the experience can be booked in advance, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
The tour is wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed. With a maximum group size of 24 travelers, all participants must be over 18 years old.
After checking in at the Kinross Cellar Door, guests can enjoy a guided exploration of the winery’s exceptional Pinot Noir offerings. The experience ends back at the meeting point, providing visitors with a comprehensive introduction to the region’s acclaimed wine production.
Read our full review: Kinross Winery: Pinot Noir Wine Tasting Experience Review
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Kinross Winery: Premium Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience
Kinross Winery’s Premium Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience allows visitors to explore the renowned wines of the Central Otago region.
Located in the South Island of New Zealand, the winery offers a premium tasting experience. Visitors can enjoy the tasting at the Kinross Winery’s Cellar Door & Cottages, with the meeting and end point being the same location.
The experience is wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed. Most travelers can participate, but attendees must be over 18 years old. The group size is limited to a maximum of 21 travelers per tour or activity.
Booking this experience is convenient, as visitors receive confirmation upon booking. Plus, there’s a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the experience starts, and a Reserve Now and Pay Later option is available.
The price for the Premium Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience is SEK 480.88 per person, with a Lowest Price Guarantee offered.
Read our full review: Kinross Winery: Premium Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience Review
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Kinross Winery: Wild Irishman Wine Tasting Experience
Although located in the heart of the renowned Central Otago wine region on New Zealand’s South Island, Kinross Winery’s Wild Irishman Wine Tasting Experience offers a unique opportunity to savor the region’s acclaimed wines.
Accommodating a maximum of 12 travelers, this experience invites visitors to the winery’s Cellar Door reception desk, where they can select a tasting time and check availability.
With alcoholic beverages included, the tasting allows participants to explore Kinross Winery’s offerings in a wheelchair-accessible setting, with service animals welcome.
The experience begins and ends at the meeting point of 2300 Gibbston Highway, Gibbston 9371, New Zealand, ensuring a convenient and seamless exploration of the winery.
Confirmation is provided upon booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start of the experience, making it a flexible and accessible option for wine enthusiasts visiting the South Island.
Read our full review: Kinross Winery: Wild Irishman Wine Tasting Experience Review
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Kinross Winery: Classic Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience
Nestled in the heart of the renowned Central Otago wine region, Kinross Winery’s Classic Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience invites visitors to savor the region’s acclaimed wines.
Located just 2300 Gibbston Highway, Queenstown, this winery offers an intimate tasting for up to 24 travelers aged 18 and above.
Priced from $14.29 per person, the experience allows guests to meet and pick up from the winery’s Cellar Door. During the tasting, you will enjoy a selection of the region’s finest wines, with the option to reserve and pay later.
Wheelchair users and those with service animals can fully participate, as the winery’s surfaces are accessible.
With a 4.8-star average rating from 5 reviews, this classic wine tasting promises an immersive exploration of Central Otago’s renowned vintages.
Guests can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the experience, ensuring a hassle-free booking process.
Whether a seasoned oenophile or a curious newcomer, the Kinross Winery Classic Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience offers an exceptional introduction to this celebrated wine region.
Read our full review: Kinross Winery: Classic Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience Review
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Half-Day Self-Guided Ride and Wine Bike Tour From Arrowtown
For travelers seeking an independent exploration of Central Otago’s stunning landscapes and renowned wineries, the Half-Day Self-Guided Ride and Wine Bike Tour from Arrowtown provides the perfect opportunity.
This 8.6-mile (14-kilometer) cycling adventure through the South Island’s scenic vistas is recommended by 98% of participants and boasts a near-perfect rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 61 reviews.
The tour offers the flexibility to customize your itinerary as you bike along picturesque rivers, suspension bridges, and mature trees.
Bike and helmet rental are included, and the tour culminates with a visit to the Gibbston Valley Winery for a guided tour and wine tasting.
While not wheelchair accessible, the tour is suitable for most travelers, with infant seats available.
Priced from $56.59 per person, the experience allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a “reserve now, pay later” option.
Reviewers praise the scenic beauty and enjoyable wine tasting, while suggesting layers for early morning rides.
Read our full review: Half-Day Self-Guided Ride and Wine Bike Tour From Arrowtown Review
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The Sum Up
The South Island of New Zealand offers an array of exceptional wine tours, ranging from guided tastings at renowned wineries like Kinross to self-guided bike tours through the picturesque landscapes. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a casual wine enthusiast, these experiences provide an opportunity to savor the region’s renowned varietals and take in the local wine culture.