Taste Queenstown’s iconic Pinot Noir and explore a new generation of local craft beers.
Welcome to the heart of the Central Otago Wine Region, internationally celebrated for our full-bodied pinot noir and our aromatic whites.
With Gibbston's world-renowned winemakers just a 25 minute drive from Queenstown, and 200 Central Otago wineries within an hour's drive, you're perfectly located to taste the terroir of the world's southernmost wine region.
Our austere mountainous landscapes, schist soils and river gravels grow hardy vines and long hot summers ripen intensely flavoured fruit.
Queenstown is the gateway to the Central Otago wine region, with its six sub-regions: Gibbston, Cromwell/Pisa/Lowburn, Bannockburn, Bendigo, Wanaka and Alexandra. Each subregion has its own distinct climate, with nearby Gibbston the highest and coolest.
The first grapes were planted near Queenstown in 1864. But over a century would pass before local wine pioneer Alan Brady of Gibbston Valley became the founder of today’s famous Central Otago wine scene.
Today, our award-winning wines are joined by a vibrant craft beer scene. From Altitude Brewing’s peated stout to Lake & Wood’s horopito Saison, breweries in Queenstown use local ingredients to brew distinctive regional ales.
The Queenstown Wine & Brew Scene
The Story of Queenstown Wine
The story of Central Otago’s wine industry starts with the 1860s gold rush. Over a century would pass before grapes were planted in the area again.
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Meet Our Winemakers
Meet the passionate winemakers defining the taste of the region. The personalities behind our great wines all have a story to tell.
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Queenstown Craft Beer Guide
Experience Queenstown's craft beer scene, with six craft breweries using locally-sourced ingredients, and craft beer houses with chilled vibes.
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Brewing up Magic in Arrowtown
Lake & Wood Brew Co produces a range of quintessential local craft beers. Brewer Jay Sherwood reveals why the region is integral to his brews.
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A Wine and Food Lover’s Guide to Queenstown
Surrounded by dramatic mountains and glacial waters, the views and the food are as unique as each other and there’s plenty for your mind and palate to explore.
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Bike the Wineries in Gibbston
Explore the Gibbston region, its wineries, eateries and historic sites by bike. Find out how to get there and plan your Gibbston biking adventure with a round-up of bike wine tours from Queenstown and bike hire options.
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Queenstown Craft Beer Guide
The craft beer scene in Queenstown has grown over the last few years and beer aficionados are now spoilt for choice, you just need to know where to look. Here’s some of the best craft beer in Queenstown, and where you can drink them.
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A Bunch of Ways to Tour Queenstown Wineries
Hop on a shuttle, bike around the vines, or go on a guided wine tour – there’s all sorts of ways to taste the terroir, and plenty more to eat, see and do along the way.
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The Bustle of Queenstown's Wine Harvest
The next time you crack open a good bottle of Central Otago wine, imagine all the skill and hard graft that went into creating it, from planting the vines, to the frantic harvest period during autumn.
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Al Fresco Dining Around Queenstown
With our spectacular alpine vistas, long warm summers, and world-famous food scene, Queenstown is made for eating al fresco. Find some of the best places to eat outdoors, with these top picks for alfresco dining in and around Queenstown.
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Queenstown Q&A: Alan Brady, Winemaker
Alan Brady planted some of the first wine grapes around Queenstown, creating Gibbston Valley Winery in the early 1980s. After living half of his life in the valley, he moved to Clyde to retire in 2016, but keeps his hand in producing wine under his coveted Wild Irishman label.
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