Best cellar door experiences in Queenstown

Sally Scott goes in search of the perfect pinot noir in Queenstown.

Adrenalin-packed adventures aside, New Zealand’s Central Otago wine region offers all the pinot noir action you need on a visit to Queenstown. In just 15 minutes from the town centre you can be immersed in Gibbston Valley wine country. A relatively young wine region, farming land has been converted to grape growing in recent years which has seen over 75 wineries burst onto the scene.

Many Queenstown wineries have a cellar door with tastings, tours and excellent winery restaurants. Discover the Gibbston Wine Trail yourself or enlist the experts of Appellation Wine Tours for a private wine tour.

Here’s the best cellar door experiences to be had in Queenstown, all delivering their own unique expression of the mighty pinot noir.

Amisfield Winery

Amisfield Winery is known as much for its dining experience as its world-class wines. The Bistro has been serving its signature ‘Trust the Chef’ degustation menu for ions with lunch a 3 or 5 course extravaganza or a 7 course gastronomic journey for dinner with a selection of Amisfield wines. One of the largest single vineyards in the region, winemaker Stephanie Lambert crafts wines of distinction and there are plenty of varieties on tasting at the sophisticated cellar door.

Address: 10 Lake Hayes Road, Queenstown New Zealand

Wet Jacket

This boutique winery is a must-visit in Central Otago. Owner Greg Hay (of Chard Farm fame) has created a unique cellar door experience in a rustic converted woolshed. With no tours or large groups to compete with, wine tasting is a relaxed affair, either seated fireside or around a communal table talking all things wine with the engaging team. It feels more like friends gathering around the kitchen table riffing about wine than a cellar door. It’s modern, fun and the perfect presentation of new world wines.

Address: 1 Bendemeer Lane, 903 State Highway 6, Lake Hayes, New Zealand

Wet Jacket is a boutique winery in Central Otago.

Wine tastings are enjoyed fireside inside a converted woolshed at Wet Jacket’s cellar door.

Gibbston Valley

A visit to Gibbston Valley isn’t complete without a tour of the impressive wine cave. Nestled in the mountain to provide a regulated temperature, it’s New Zealand’s largest wine cave and available for tours, tastings and events. Dine in the restaurant or graze on an epic cheese and charcuterie board for the perfect pinot accompaniment.

As one of the region’s founding wineries, the estate continues to evolve, with a new luxury lodge and spa due to open in December 2019.

Address: 1820 State Highway 6, Queenstown New Zealand 9371

Gibbston Valley is one of the region’s founding wineries. Photo: Destination Queenstown

Chard Farm

Chard Farm is a picturesque hillside winery with a European feel. Established by Rob and Gerdi Hay, the family are winemaking pioneers in the area. Rob Hay studied winemaking in Germany before returning to New Zealand and this German influence is evident in the superior Riesling and Gewurztraminers available for tastings. Snap a selfie with the famous sculpture Lola by local artist Lee van der Geest for a chance to win a magnum of pinot noir.

Address: 205 Chard Road RD 1, Gibbston 9197 New Zealand

Peregrine Estate

Passionate about organic farming, the family-owned winery is now officially certified as organic from vintage 2017. Organic farming is fundamental to every aspect of Peregrine Estate with a holistic approach to crop and vineyard management. A modern winery with a spectacular architect designed cellar door whose exterior echoes the sweep of a falcon’s wing in flight and inside you’ll sip wines while viewing the vast barrel hall. This exquisite wine-only experience allows you to focus solely on the art of wine at Peregrine.

Address: 2127 Gibbston Highway, RDI Queenstown 9371 New Zealand

Peregrine Estate is a family-owned organic winery.

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Kinross

Visit Kinross and you’ll have the pleasure of tasting several award-winning Central Otago labels including Coal Pit, Domaine Thomson, Hawkshead, Kinross, Valli and Wild Irishman. More than a one-stop winery shop, this collective showcases the region’s best drops delivered by a passionate and educated team who are well versed in each winemaker’s journey to provide a quality tasting experience. Kinross also offers an onsite bistro and cosy cottages for the ultimate vineyard experience.

Address: 2300 Gibbston Highway RD1, Queenstown 9371 New Zealand

The Winery

If you’re time poor from a day of adventure in Queenstown, The Winery right in the heart of town is your saviour. At The Winery, you can taste over 80 New Zealand wines in one place via their nifty Enomatic Wine Serving System, allowing you to curate your own wine flight. You can self-serve a taste, half or full glass of wine from their premium selection, which boasts 24 New Zealand pinot noir’s on tasting. You can also purchase a bottle from their extensive range of 900 wines and savour in the cosy wine lounge with a cheese platter. Watch this space for an Arrowtown outpost of The Winery coming soon.

Address: 14 Beach Street, Queenstown New Zealand

Planning a trip to New Zealand? Read more of the best travel tips in our Ultimate Travel Guide to New Zealand.

Slow travel is encouraging us all to take our time and truly experience our journeys, and cruising has always been the perfect way to do just that.

The slow travel trend isn’t going anywhere. Instead of racing through a packed itinerary, travellers are opting for extended travel, allowing for a more immersive experience – as well as the time to actually feel reset and rested at the end of the journey. Part of that travel style is choosing the best method of travel. With none of the hassle, plenty to enjoy between ports, and port stops that allow time spent in a new place with a new culture, cruising may just be the slow travel answer.

And Royal Caribbean‘s new 16-night Long Adventure cruise itinerary from Sydney to Honolulu might just be the perfect slow adventure to get you started. After all, nothing says slow travel like getting on island time.

Immersive travel itinerary

moorea lagoon Pacific Double-saddle Butterflyfish — Dive into underwater worlds. (Credit: Getty/ Global Pics)

On this journey connecting Australia to Hawaiʻi, guests have a chance to experience destinations and culture that typically aren’t combined into one leisurely-paced trip. From tropical South Pacific islands to the beauty and culture of Hawaiʻi, each port offers its own rewards. Not to mention sea days in between to rest and reflect.

Stop in Papeete, Tahiti, to watch waves roll over black and white sand beaches. Or wander through tropical beauty at Paofai Gardens. While in French Polynesia, gaze on the jagged green peaks of Moorea. Here, snorkel among vibrant coral and tropical fish in the Lagoonarium. Later, experience the lesser-travelled Raiatea – where coral gardens practically explode with marine life and inland hiking trails lead to waterfalls. End the journey with the golden beaches and rich culture of Honolulu.

More time to connect

wave rider on anthem of the seas royal caribbean — Use sea days to make new memories together.

The essential factor that makes cruising the ultimate form of slow travel? Time on board is never wasted. On Anthem of the Seas® during your Long Adventure cruise, that could look like booking a seat for world-class theatre productions and live shows. Or spending time together in one of the many pools, bars and lounges for all moods.

Head to the adults-only Solarium, an indoor-outdoor retreat sitting right at the front of the ship for epic views from the swimming pools, whirlpools and lounge area. With something on every night, take in the onboard entertainment and nightlife. Like We Will Rock You – the West End musical featuring the legendary hits of Queen.

Built-in pauses

RCI Vitality℠ Spa — Enjoy a spa treatment at Vitality Spa.

We so often forget to factor in time to pause and reflect when we travel, but sea days are a built-in deep breath. Take advantage of resort-style living at sea to disconnect and avoid the trap of a frantic holiday schedule.

On Anthem of the Seas, expansive spaces have been designed specifically to help guests relax, reset and enjoy the journey. Spend time together enjoying onboard entertainment, dining, or lounging by the pool. Head to the observatory to check out an unpolluted night sky. Or, for something truly special, book a restorative massage or rejuvenating facial at Vitality℠ Spa.

Remove travel hassle

royal caribbean anthem of the seas royal loft balcony room — Unpack once, and return to your own comfortable room every night.

Instead of sweating as you run from one airport gate to another, getting grumpy because everyone is sleep-deprived or having to unpack and pack over and over again, travel time is spent creating new memories together. Simply depart from Sydney and let the rest be taken care of for you.

Unpack once, and return to the same comfortable room every night. This all-inclusive cruise brings together accommodation, dining, entertainment and transport in one seamless experience. It’s a more considered way to travel, offering exceptional value and removing logistics.

Dine at your leisure

Izumi Sashimi — Dine on flavours from around the world.

With world-class dining and a choice of over 18 dining options on board Anthem of the Seas, indulge your senses at any time (and never feel rushed). Take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s Dynamic Dining concept, allowing guests to choose from multiple complimentary restaurants, each with its own distinct style.

Or, book in for an elevated experience at specialty dining venues, with flavours from around the world. Tuck into Jamie’s Italian, led by the celebrated British chef Jamie Oliver. Enjoy Japanese delicacies at Izumi. For something really special, join the Chef’s Table, where up to 14 guests can indulge in a five-course wine-pairing dinner hosted nightly by an Executive Chef and Sommelier.

And with 11 bars and lounges to choose from, there’s always a new spot to enjoy a tipple. Like the unique mixology experience at Bionic Bar, or caipirinhas at the ship’s Latin-themed club, Boleros.

A taste of diverse cultures

Let Anthem of the Seas transport you overnight between diverse international ports. With cruising, there’s no need to pick just one destination. The longer, more immersive Transpacific cruise itinerary allows travellers to experience a range of destinations and cultures all across Oceania.

Head inland at Papeete to discover the story behind one of Tahiti’s most iconic treasures at the Robert Wan Pearl Museum. Visit the sacred Marae Taputapuātea on Raiatea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before leaning into the relaxed local rhythm in Uturoa commune. And delve into the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi.

The luxury of time

royal caribbean solarium — Relax in adult-only areas of the ship.

The greatest luxury that cruising provides is that of time. More time to disconnect, more time to explore, and more time to enjoy the journey at your own pace. This Long Adventure voyage isn’t just about racing from destination to destination; it’s about how you get there. Taking your own time, both on sea days and during days on land.

Start planning your Long Adventure at royalcaribbean.com.au.