Queenstown Gin, Wine & Beer Tour | Adults Only

Queenstown’s best afternoon plan may be the one that puts a beer, a gin, and a Central Otago pinot in the same glass-sized adventure. This small-group tour moves from Canyon Brewing near the Shotover River to Rifters Gin in Arrowtown, then finishes at Amisfield Winery.

I like the mix of drinks, since your group does not have to agree on one beverage. I also like the 3pm start, which leaves most of the day free for Queenstown’s other activities. The main drawback is pace: three tasting stops in three and a half hours can feel tight, especially at the final winery.

Key points to know before booking

• More than 12 tastings: Sample local beer, gin, and Central Otago wine in one afternoon.
• Three distinct stops: Canyon Brewing, Rifters Gin in historic Arrowtown, and Amisfield Winery.
• A 3pm departure: You keep the morning and early afternoon free for sightseeing or an outdoor activity.
• Small, adults-only format: The tour is for ages 18 and over, with a maximum listed as 10 people.
• Guides make the difference: Emma and Lee receive especially warm praise for their local tips and easy conversation.
• Eat before you go: Food is not included, and the drinks can add up over several hours.

Why this Queenstown tasting tour works

This is not a single-producer wine outing. It is a compact introduction to three parts of the region’s drinks scene: craft beer beside the Shotover River, small-batch gin in Arrowtown, and wine at one of Central Otago’s best-known cellar doors.

I like that range. If one person in your party prefers beer and another prefers wine, nobody has to settle for a tour built around only one drink. The tour also adds scenery without turning into a long sightseeing drive. You travel in an air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter, with live commentary from a local guide.

The mood is relaxed rather than formal. Guides such as Emma and Lee are praised for answering questions, sharing Queenstown suggestions, and keeping conversation flowing. Gessica has also led the outing, and the company may bring Bella, its wine tour dog, along for the ride. Bella is not guaranteed, but she can add a friendly touch to the afternoon.

The tour is adults-only, and the minimum drinking age is 18. That makes the setting better suited to couples, friends, and small celebration groups than families with younger children. The group size is advertised at no more than 10 people, though one set of booking details refers to a maximum of 11, so check the current confirmation if the group size matters to you.

Canyon Brewing beside the Shotover River

Your first main stop is Canyon Brewing, set near the Shotover River with views toward the dramatic Shotover and Skippers Canyon area. The setting gives the tour an immediate sense of place. You are not tasting in a generic bar. You are sampling local beer with alpine scenery close at hand.

The standard option is a tasting paddle of craft beers. If beer is not your thing, you can choose a wine flight instead, which is a useful feature for mixed groups. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, long enough to sample several drinks and take in the view without spending the whole afternoon in one venue.

Canyon Brewing also has a restaurant, but the tour price covers drinks, not a meal. That distinction matters. One person specifically advised eating before departure, and I agree. Alcohol on an empty stomach is rarely a good plan, particularly when the tour includes more tastings at two more stops.

You may be tempted to treat Canyon Brewing as just a warm-up. Do not rush it. The river setting is one of the tour’s best scenic moments, and the contrast between the outdoor view and the tasting paddle helps make this stop more than a quick drink.

Rifters Gin in Dudley’s Cottage

From the brewery, the tour continues to Arrowtown and Rifters Gin. The tasting room occupies Dudley’s Cottage, a historic building that gives the stop a more intimate feel than a large commercial distillery.

Here, you receive a hosted gin tasting and an introduction to Rifters’ small-batch, grain-to-glass method. The gin is made in New Zealand with local botanicals and pure artesian water. That production detail gives the tasting some substance. You are not simply moving from one sample to the next. You get a sense of how the spirit is made and why the ingredients matter.

Phillip at Rifters has made a particularly strong impression as a host. If he is leading your tasting, expect a more personal stop with room for questions about the gins and the distillery’s approach. The supplied information does not promise a particular staff member on every departure, so consider Phillip a possible highlight, not a guaranteed part of the booking.

The Arrowtown location also adds variety. After the open river views at Canyon Brewing, you shift into a historic village setting. That change of atmosphere keeps the itinerary from feeling repetitive. It also gives you a short taste of the area beyond central Queenstown.

Amisfield Winery and the final tasting

The final stop is Amisfield Cellar Door, an award-winning winery known for Central Otago wines. Its dramatic stone building houses the cellar door and restaurant, with broad views around it.

This is where the tour’s wine focus becomes most clear. You can expect an elegant tasting centered on the region’s wines, and the stop is designed to finish the afternoon on a polished note. Amisfield is a strong choice for a final venue because it combines wine, architecture, and scenery rather than offering only a counter and a row of glasses.

The timing deserves attention. The planned stop is about 45 minutes, but one account found the winery visit a little rushed. Tasting five wines in roughly 45 to 50 minutes can work, yet it leaves limited time if you want to ask questions, study the setting, or buy food. If wine is your main reason for booking, you may wish the tour gave Amisfield more room.

There is no complimentary cheese platter or tapas included. Food may be available for purchase at the venues, but the tour returns to Queenstown around 6:30pm, so do not count on the included tastings to replace dinner. A meal before departure is the simplest solution.

More than 12 tastings, with useful variety

The tour includes more than 12 tastings across wine, gin, and beer. That number sounds generous, but the value depends on how much you care about each category.

Beer drinkers receive a craft beer paddle at Canyon Brewing. Gin drinkers get a dedicated hosted tasting at Rifters. Wine drinkers receive flights at Canyon, if preferred, and a fuller wine experience at Amisfield. You can enjoy all three, or use the alternatives to steer the afternoon toward your own taste.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s best features. It is easy to book a wine outing and discover that somebody in your party dislikes wine. Here, the range makes the experience more social and less restrictive.

Still, more tastings do not mean unlimited pours. The tour is only about three and a half hours, and the stops have fixed schedules. Treat it as an introduction to local producers, not as an all-day drinking session. You will get more from it if you pay attention to the differences between products instead of trying to race through every glass.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the ride

The guide is central to this experience. Emma has been praised for her clear explanations, local suggestions, and friendly manner. Lee is especially well regarded for her expertise and conversation. The guides can add value between stops by explaining Queenstown and the surrounding area, not just the drinks in front of you.

You travel in a luxury Mercedes Sprinter with air conditioning. That matters in Queenstown, where weather can change and a comfortable transfer is welcome after a day outdoors. You also avoid the problem of driving after drinking, which is a practical reason to choose an organized tasting tour.

The small format helps. With a maximum of 10 people listed for the tour, you have a better chance to hear the guide and ask questions than you would on a large coach. It also suits a celebration, provided your group is comfortable sharing the outing with other adults.

The minimum operation requirement is four booked people. If that number is not met, the provider may offer another date or experience, or issue a full refund. You receive confirmation at booking, and the tour starts at 3pm from Marmolada Cafe on Camp Street, returning to the same meeting point.

Is the $166.93 price fair?

At $166.93 per person, this is not a cheap pub crawl. The price covers transportation, a local guide, live commentary, and more than 12 alcoholic tastings at three venues. It also removes the need for a designated driver and links several places that would be awkward to visit independently in one afternoon.

I see reasonable value here if you want convenience and variety. Booking separate transport to Canyon Brewing, Arrowtown, and Amisfield would take planning, and driving yourself would limit the tasting. The small group and guide support also make the price more understandable.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long winery visit or a full meal. Food is not included, and the 45-minute tasting windows leave little time to linger. You are paying for a well-organized sampler of Queenstown’s drinks scene, not an extended winery lunch.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 3pm start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local cut-off time in mind.

Who should book this afternoon?

I would choose this tour if you want a social outing with several drink styles, scenic stops, and no driving. It works especially well for couples or friends with different preferences, since beer, gin, and wine all have a place in the schedule.

It also suits a first visit to Queenstown. The route takes you beyond the town center to the Shotover River and Arrowtown, while the guide can add practical suggestions for the rest of your stay. The late start leaves your morning open for another activity.

I would think twice if you need a relaxed, food-centered winery experience. The final stop may feel short, and no meal is included. You should also eat beforehand and remember that the tour is strictly for adults aged 18 and over.

Should you book the Queenstown Gin, Wine and Beer Tour?

Book it if you want variety, scenery, and simple transport in one compact afternoon. Canyon Brewing gives you the river views and craft beer, Rifters adds a personal gin stop in Arrowtown, and Amisfield brings the wine and stone cellar door.

The strongest reason to choose it is the mix. The strongest caution is the pace. If you arrive fed, keep your expectations focused on tasting rather than dining, and enjoy the guide’s local commentary, this is a smart way to sample several sides of Queenstown’s drinks culture without spending the whole day on the road.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 3pm.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Queenstown.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

What drinks are included?

Alcoholic tastings include wine, beer, and gin, with more than 12 tastings in total.

Can I choose wine instead of beer at Canyon Brewing?

Yes. At Canyon Brewing, you can choose a wine tasting instead of the craft beer tasting paddle.

Is the tour for children?

No. This is an adults-only experience, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

How many people are in the group?

The tour information lists a maximum of 10 travelers per tour. Another booking detail refers to a maximum of 11, so check your confirmation for the current group limit.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the tour price. Food may be available to purchase at the venues.

What happens if I need to cancel?

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