Queenstown Gin, Wine & Beer Tour | Adults Only

Queenstown’s best afternoon drinking plan may be the one that refuses to pick just one drink. This small-group tour links craft beer at Canyon Brewing, gin in historic Arrowtown, and Central Otago wine at Amisfield, with mountain views filling the gaps between tastings.

I like the easy mix of drinks and scenery, and I like the 3 p.m. start, which leaves most of your day free for Queenstown activities. The main thing to consider is that the final winery stop can feel rushed, and food is not included, so eat before you go.

Key points at a glance

• More than 12 tastings: Sample wine, gin, and beer in one afternoon, with options for different drink preferences.
• Three very different stops: Canyon Brewing brings river views and local beer, Rifters offers hosted gin tasting in Dudley’s Cottage, and Amisfield focuses on Central Otago wines.
• Small vehicle, personal hosting: The air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter carries a maximum of 10 participants, with live commentary from a local guide.
• A useful 3 p.m. departure: You can spend the morning and early afternoon on another Queenstown activity before returning to town around 6:30 p.m.
• Adults only: Everyone must be at least 18, and the minimum drinking age is 18.
• Bella may come too: The company’s much-loved wine tour dog sometimes joins the outing, adding a friendly touch to the drive.

Three drinks, one easy Queenstown afternoon

This tour works because it brings together three parts of the Otago drinks scene without asking you to arrange separate transport. You ride from central Queenstown into the Shotover and Arrowtown area, taste at each venue, and let a local guide handle the timing and driving.

The format suits mixed groups particularly well. One person can prefer beer, another can focus on wine, and another can enjoy gin. At Canyon Brewing, you can choose a craft beer paddle or a wine flight, which makes the first stop more flexible than a fixed beer-only tasting.

The tour is priced at $166.93 per person. That is not a cheap bar crawl, but the price includes transport, a local guide, commentary, and tastings across three venues. I see the value mainly in the combination: you are paying for a half-afternoon outing, not just for drinks. You also avoid the problem of driving after tastings, which matters in a region where the best producers sit outside central Queenstown.

The group size is another reason the cost can make sense. With a maximum of 10 participants, the experience should feel more like a hosted outing than a large coach trip. The stated minimum is four people, so the tour needs enough bookings to operate. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Canyon Brewing beside the Shotover River

The first tasting stop is Canyon Brewing, set near the Shotover River with views toward Skippers Canyon. It gives the afternoon a strong start because the setting is as important as what is in your glass.

Choose a tasting paddle of local beers, or opt for a wine tasting if beer is not your thing. That choice is valuable for couples and groups with different tastes. You can take part in the same stop without forcing yourself through a flight you will not enjoy.

Allow about 45 minutes here. The visit is less about a formal lesson and more about trying local drinks in a dramatic outdoor setting. The surrounding views make this a good point for photographs, though your time is still structured by the group schedule.

Canyon Brewing also has a restaurant, but the tour does not include a meal. You may be able to purchase food at the venue, but you should not count on a complimentary platter or tapas at the end of the afternoon. One useful piece of advice is simple: eat something before departure. Alcohol across three tastings can catch up with you quickly, especially if lunch was several hours earlier.

Rifters Gin in Arrowtown’s Dudley’s Cottage

The second stop changes the mood. Rifters Gin operates from historic Dudley’s Cottage in Arrowtown, a more intimate setting than the open views at Canyon Brewing.

Here you receive a hosted gin tasting and an introduction to the producer’s small-batch, grain-to-glass process. Rifters uses New Zealand botanicals and pure artesian water, and the tasting gives you a chance to compare the character of its different gins rather than simply ordering one mixed drink.

This is the stop where the guide’s personality can make a real difference. Phillip has been singled out as a particularly strong host, while Emma and Lee are praised for their easy conversation and local knowledge. The company’s guides are not there only to pour samples. They also provide commentary during the drive and can offer recommendations for Queenstown and the surrounding area.

Plan on roughly 45 minutes. The setting inside Dudley’s Cottage gives the stop a sense of place, and Arrowtown adds a historic village atmosphere to the route. You are not simply moving between tasting rooms in an industrial area.

The gin portion may be the highlight for anyone who wants to learn how a spirit is made. It is also the part most likely to appeal to curious drinkers who want more than a basic sample. Still, remember that the day is not a full distillery masterclass. The tour gives you an introduction and guided tasting within a broader three-drink itinerary.

Amisfield and the final wine tasting

The afternoon finishes at Amisfield Cellar Door, known for its stone building, cellar door, restaurant, and Central Otago wines. This is the most polished stop on the route, with a strong sense of place and views across the surrounding countryside.

You can expect an elegant wine tasting, with five wines normally served in about 45 to 50 minutes. The exact pace matters here. One participant found the final winery visit a little rushed, so you should arrive ready to focus on the tasting rather than expecting a long, leisurely meal or extended time to browse.

Amisfield is a good finish because Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s best-known wine regions, and the tasting puts the earlier beer and gin stops into a broader local drinks context. You finish with wine rather than another high-energy activity, which keeps the afternoon relaxed.

Food remains the practical issue. The tour price does not include a cheese board, tapas, or dinner. You may be able to buy food at the venues, but the reliable plan is to eat before the tour and arrange dinner afterward. The vehicle returns to the Marmolada Cafe meeting point in Queenstown, generally around 6:30 p.m. based on the advertised 3.5-hour duration.

Why the 3 p.m. start works well

A 3 p.m. departure is one of the tour’s smartest details. Queenstown mornings are often claimed by walks, boat trips, gondola rides, or other booked activities. This tour lets you use that earlier part of the day before switching to a slower afternoon plan.

The timing also helps if you want a tasting experience without giving up a full day. You meet at Marmolada Cafe, 43 Camp Street, Queenstown, and return to the same place. The central meeting point is convenient if you are already in town and avoids the need to find a rural venue on your own.

The total duration is approximately three hours and 30 minutes. That includes driving between stops, three tastings, and guide commentary. You should not expect long free periods at each venue, but you also will not spend the entire afternoon sitting in a vehicle.

The air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter is a practical benefit. It provides a comfortable way to reach the Shotover River area, Arrowtown, and the winery without arranging a taxi between each stop. It also lets everyone in your group taste responsibly.

What the guide adds to the outing

The guide is central to the experience. Emma has received repeated praise for her local recommendations and her understanding of wine, beer, and gin. Lee is described as warm, well informed, and great company, and Gessica has also led the route.

That range of guide names matters because this is a social tour, not a self-guided tasting pass. You spend several hours with the host and a small group, so a guide who can explain the region and keep conversation moving makes the day better.

The commentary is included during the drive. That gives you context as you move from Queenstown toward the tasting venues, although the supplied details do not specify the exact subjects covered or the length of each driving section.

Bella, the company’s wine tour dog, may also come along. Her presence is not guaranteed, but she has become part of the tour’s character. If you like animals and a relaxed atmosphere, that may be a pleasant bonus. If you prefer a strictly formal tasting, keep in mind that the experience has a friendly, social tone.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it most strongly to adults who want variety. You do not need to be a serious wine collector or a craft-beer expert. The appeal is trying several local products and seeing three different venues in one compact outing.

It is especially suitable for:

• Couples with different drink preferences
• Friends looking for a social afternoon
• First-time Queenstown visitors who want to see more than the town center
• Wine drinkers who also want to try gin and beer
• Visitors who do not want to drive after tastings
• People with only one free afternoon

The tour can also work for a family group, provided everyone is 18 or older. One family appreciated that the mix of drinks allowed different people to choose what suited them.

I would be more cautious about booking if you want a single-subject wine tour, a long restaurant lunch, or a technical spirits course. This is a sampler. Its strength is breadth, not an intensive study of one producer.

What to know before you book

Bring a good meal into the afternoon. That is the most useful preparation advice, since no food is included and the tastings continue across several hours.

Wear something comfortable for getting in and out of the vehicle and walking around the venues. The tour includes scenic outdoor settings, but the supplied details do not promise a particular amount of walking or weather protection, so check the forecast before setting out.

The tour is available by mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided when you book. It starts at Marmolada Cafe and ends at the same meeting point. Public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate, though the operator does not provide more specific accessibility details.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Canceling later, or making changes within that window, does not qualify for a refund. The minimum of four participants also matters, so keep an eye on your booking confirmation if your plans are tight.

The current advertised route is Canyon Brewing, Rifters Gin, and Amisfield Winery. Some past outings have included different venues, so if a particular producer is the main reason you are booking, confirm the route at the time of purchase.

Is $166.93 good value?

For a simple tasting flight, the price would be high. For a three-stop outing with transport, a guide, more than 12 tastings, and a maximum of 10 participants, the calculation looks more reasonable.

You are also paying for access to a range of settings: the Shotover River at Canyon Brewing, a historic cottage in Arrowtown, and Amisfield’s stone cellar door. Reaching all three on your own would require a designated driver or several separate transport arrangements.

The value drops if you do not drink much, dislike group conversation, or plan to purchase a full meal at the venues. Food is extra, and the final winery stop may feel short if you want time for a slow lunch or extended shopping.

For most adults who want a convenient introduction to Queenstown’s beer, gin, and wine scene, I think the price is fair. It is not a bargain activity, but it packs a lot into a half-day without feeling like a large bus excursion.

My verdict: book it for variety and ease

Book this tour if you want to taste across several drink styles, enjoy attractive regional settings, and prefer someone else to manage the driving. The small group, flexible first tasting, friendly guides such as Emma and Lee, and possible appearance by Bella give it a personal feel.

Skip it if your priority is a substantial meal, a slow winery visit, or an advanced lesson in one type of drink. You should also plan around the 3 p.m. start and eat beforehand.

For a first look at Queenstown’s local drinks scene, this is a well-planned afternoon. You get beer, gin, and wine, but you also get a practical introduction to the area outside Queenstown proper, all within a manageable 3.5-hour schedule.

FAQ

Where does the Queenstown Gin, Wine & Beer Tour start?

It starts at Marmolada Cafe, 43 Camp Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 3 p.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Marmolada Cafe in Queenstown.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 10 participants, although the additional information also describes a maximum of 11 guests per tour. The listing specifically states that the activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is the tour adults only?

Yes. Everyone must be at least 18 years old, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

Which venues are included?

The advertised route includes Canyon Brewing, Rifters Gin in Arrowtown, and Amisfield Cellar Door.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes alcoholic beverage tastings covering wine, beer, and gin, with more than 12 tastings in total.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the tour price. Food may be available to purchase at some venues, and eating before the tour is recommended.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.