Southern Alps Spirits & Valley of the Vines Wine Tour from Queenstown

Immerse yourself in a sensory experience as you learn about the spirit making process, from grain to glass, at a local family-owned artisan distillery and taste award-winning wines or craft beer from the Valley of the Vines.

This half-day tour is designed for you to discover the best-kept secrets of the region, starting 45km out of Queenstown in the remote Cardrona Valley. Opened in December 2015, the Cardrona Distillery has already notched up awards for its gin, so this is where you go to witness the magic as its spirits are made from scratch on site. Soak up the sights and smells as malt is milled, mashed, fermented, distilled and matured, before sampling gin, vodka and liqueurs for yourself. Good things take time, so as with all good whiskeys you’ll have to come back in seven years time for that tasting.

Stop at New Zealand’s most photographed building, the historic Cardrona Hotel before being whisked away to explore the ‘Valley of the Vines’ in Gibbston. It’s part of the greater Central Otago wine region and well-known as one of the world’s most scenic vineyard journeys.

Discover two of the region’s most stunning wineries where we stop to enjoy lunch and a leisurely afternoon of wine and/or beer tastings. Relax and unwind as you visit two renowned vineyards and wineries where you will sniff, swirl and savour over 6+ wines including our famed Pinot Noir and other varietals plus there is the option of craft beers.

Your guide, distillery and cellar door staff have a wealth of knowledge about the history of the region’s world-class grapes, Gibbston Valley’s unique growing environment and terroir, and the spirit making processes at Cardrona.

There’s no need to worry about a ‘dedicated driver’ as your guide whisks you away through the stunning Cardrona Valley and Gibbston sub-region in comfort and style in our fleet of European vehicles.

Departing from Queenstown with complimentary hotel transfers, this half-day tour includes door-to-door travel in the comfort of a fleet of stylish European vehicles, a friendly guide, shared lunch platter, distillery tour and tastings, wine tastings, and a complimentary souvenir to take home and remember your day.