The Gourmet Food and Wine Tour promises an unforgettable experience, blending the finest regional flavors with breathtaking landscapes. Guests embark on a journey through premium vineyards, indulging in a unique barrel-cooked lunch and expertly paired tasting dishes. With visits to Australasia’s largest underground wine cave and stunning vistas, this tour offers a captivating glimpse into the region’s rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or simply seeking an exceptional culinary adventure, this tour is sure to leave you with lasting memories.
This experience made our list of the 15 Best Lunch Experiences In Queenstown.
Key Points
- This 6.5-hour premium food and wine tour offers visits to 4 vineyards, including a unique tasting experience in Australasia’s largest underground wine cave.
- The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, all wine tastings, and a wine-barrel cooked lunch with 5 tasting dishes and wine pairings.
- Scenic drives through the Kawarau Gorge and visits to historic sites like Arrowtown provide a well-rounded cultural and natural experience.
- With a maximum of 12 participants, the tour ensures a personalized and attentive experience led by knowledgeable driver-guides.
- The tour is highly rated by guests, who praise the excellent value, exceptional service, and overall quality of the gourmet food and wine offerings.
Tour Overview
The gourmet food and wine tour offers a 6.5-hour activity that takes participants to 4 premium vineyards across 3 scenic wine sub-regions near Queenstown.
Priced from $179.81 per person, the tour is limited to 12 participants and includes hotel pickup and drop-off.
Guests will enjoy tastings at the vineyards, including a unique tasting in an underground wine cave. The tour also includes a wine-barrel cooked lunch with 5 tasting dishes and wine pairings, as well as opportunities to sample local cheeses and explore historic sites like Old Cromwell town and Arrowtown.
Transportation and an experienced driver-guide are provided throughout the tour.
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Itinerary Highlights
Guests will visit 4 premium vineyards across 3 scenic wine sub-regions: Gibbston, Cromwell, and Bannockburn basin. They’ll experience tastings at each location, including a unique tasting in Australasia’s largest underground wine cave.
During the tour, guests will indulge in a wine-barrel cooked lunch featuring 5 tasting dishes with wine pairings. They’ll also have the opportunity to sample local cheeses at a vineyard.
The tour includes exploration of historic sites, like Old Cromwell town and Arrowtown, as well as a scenic drive through Kawarau Gorge with views of Kawarau Bridge and the original AJ Hackett Bungy.
Included in the Tour
This gourmet food and wine tour includes a hotel pickup and drop-off service, providing convenient transportation to and from the various locations.
An experienced driver-guide accompanies guests throughout the day, offering insight and commentary.
All wine tastings are included in the tour price, allowing participants to sample a variety of premium vintages.
Plus, the tour features a wine-barrel cooked lunch with five tasting dishes and carefully selected wine pairings.
Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase additional wine during the tour.
Important Considerations
Minimum participant requirements ensure the tour operates as scheduled, with an alternate date or full refund offered if the minimum isn’t met. Communicating any special dietary needs during booking helps accommodate preferences for the wine-barrel cooked lunch.
Some important considerations to keep in mind:
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The tour requires a minimum of 2 participants to run. If this minimum isn’t met, the tour provider will either offer an alternative date or a full refund.
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Special dietary requirements should be communicated when booking the tour to ensure the wine-barrel cooked lunch can accommodate any specific dietary needs or preferences.
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The tour operates in English, so a good understanding of the language is recommended for participants to fully engage with the experience.
Customer Feedback
Customers consistently praise the tour’s experienced and knowledgeable guides, who seamlessly navigate the itinerary and foster great group dynamics.
With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, guests highlight the unique and high-quality wine and food pairings as a major highlight.
Reviewers note the tour provides excellent value for money, praising the attentive service and small group size that allows for personalized attention.
Several customers mentioned the guides’ thoughtful assistance when personal items were left behind, demonstrating the tour company’s commitment to ensuring a memorable experience.
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Vineyard Experiences
The Gourmet Food and Wine Tour takes guests on a delightful exploration of four premium vineyards across three scenic wine sub-regions: Gibbston, Cromwell, and Bannockburn basin.
Highlights of the vineyard experiences include:
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A unique tasting in Australasia’s largest underground wine cave, offering a one-of-a-kind atmosphere and ambiance.
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The opportunity to sample local cheeses at one of the vineyards, complementing the wine tastings perfectly.
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Scenic drives through the stunning Kawarau Gorge, with breathtaking views of the Kawarau Bridge and the original AJ Hackett Bungy.
These vineyard experiences, combined with the wine-barrel cooked lunch and exceptional service, make this Gourmet Food and Wine Tour a must-do for any wine and food enthusiast visiting Queenstown.
Scenic Drives and Sights
Throughout the tour, guests are treated to a scenic drive through the breathtaking Kawarau Gorge, where they can admire the stunning views of the Kawarau Bridge and the original AJ Hackett Bungy site. This picturesque gorge is a highlight of the journey, offering a glimpse into the region’s natural beauty.
The drive also includes a visit to the historic town of Arrowtown, where guests can explore the charming streets and learn about the area’s rich gold mining heritage.
These scenic stops provide a well-rounded experience, allowing guests to appreciate the diverse landscapes and cultural landmarks that make this region so captivating.
Food and Wine Pairings
At the heart of the Gourmet Food and Wine Tour lies a tantalizing culinary experience, where guests indulge in a wine-barrel cooked lunch featuring five tasting dishes expertly paired with local wines. The wine-food pairing is a carefully curated affair, designed to elevate the flavors of both.
Guests can expect:
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A unique tasting menu showcasing the region’s finest seasonal produce.
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Wines meticulously selected to complement each dish, enhancing the overall dining experience.
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An opportunity to savor the synergy between the robust flavors of the food and the nuanced notes of the accompanying wines.
This gourmet experience is the highlight of the tour, offering a delightful fusion of the region’s renowned culinary and winemaking prowess.
Recap
The Gourmet Food and Wine Tour offers an exceptional experience, showcasing the region’s finest vineyards, seasonal produce, and breathtaking landscapes.
Guests indulge in a unique wine-barrel cooked lunch, paired with carefully curated tasting dishes, all while exploring the renowned Australasia’s largest underground wine cave.
This tour provides an immersive journey through the rich cultural heritage and renowned wine offerings of Central Otago.
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