Wanaka Wine Tours

01/09/2024

We're very pleased to announce that we've earned a Qualmark Silver Award! This is testament to all the hard work our team have put in over the years to ensure that our customers, staff, environment and local community are looked after and highly valued. We also acknowledge all the wonderful vineyards and their staff, who give our clients such amazing service.
Cheers!!

31/05/2022

Our tours are all about the people (and the Wine)!
The wine makers, cellar door staff, our customers and of course our guides!
Here's one of the reviews we've just got about one of our team:

"Had the most lovely time with Heidi as our guide. Heidi was so passionate and generous in sharing stories about the places we went to, going out of the way to show us gorgeous spots that only a local like her would know. P.S. I still have the thyme with me and it still smells amazing!

Tour wise, we had a good mixture of vineyards and got to try a nice variety of wines. Each tasting was unique in their own way and the cheese platter was sublime. I recommend this tour to both old-time wine lovers or new drinkers just starting out to explore what they like. Nothing better than being driven around to drink!

All in all, we had the most wonderful time. We couldn't have found a better guide to share this experience with. Thank you so much, Heidi!"

We LOVE it when our customers go away happy..

23/02/2022

23/02/2022

23/02/2022

We want to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to our friends at Aitken's Folly vineyard for their amazing achievements in this years New Zealand International Wine Show!
Gold medals were awarded to Aitken’s Riverbank Rd Chardonnay 2019 and Aitken’s Riverbank Pinot Noir 2017. The Aitken’s Riverbank Rd Pinot Noir 2021 picked up a silver medal and the Aitken’s Riverbank Rd Riesling 2021 took out a bronze award.

Fantastic effort by lovely people!

Can't wait to try the 2017 Pinot Noir (again)!!
😃👏👏👏👏

02/02/2022

We're still operating during these crazy times!
If you're looking for a respite from the "real world", come on one of our really fun Wine Tours and forget about all the variants.
We can't wait to welcome you!

22/09/2021

After a brief break in proceedings during lock down levels 3&4, we're really excited to be showing our Kiwi Wine enthusiasts why Central Otago is world renowned for its Pinot Noir and hospitality.
Why don't you join us?

Wanaka Wine Tours offer full day and half day wine tours through New Zealands Central Otago. Experience some of the best boutique vineyards on offer.

16/07/2020

https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/wanaka/jaw-droppingly-beautiful-wanaka-winery-makes-top-50-list?fbclid=IwAR27Pj2sl0K9vIMx0TgVu4sCeoWUwd4l25-75_JhTFGOO3fm-72w-MKeJmg

We love that our friends at Rippon have been voted top Vineyard in Australasia! We've always had no doubt...come on a tour to see for yourself!

A list of the world's 50 best vineyards for wine tourism has named a Central Otago and Hawke's Bay estate as being among the best. And those two...

18/06/2020

One of our favourite local Wanaka vineyards. Do yourself a favour and get there. Some of the best Chardonnay in the region (we think).
Cheers!

Take the long road this weekend and come and support your local vineyards. Aitken’s Folly are open for tastings from 12-5, along with our neighbours at and so come and make an afternoon of it and celebrate the difference a few kilometres can make to stunning Central Otago wines.

08/06/2020

As a celebration of all Kiwi's amazing efforts to stamp out Covid19, we're having a special on our Classic Full Day Wine Tour! For tomorrow only (9th June), book a Full Day Wine Tour for the price of our Half Day (Boutique) Wine Tour.
Just go here: https://wanakawinetours.rezdy.com/319248/classic-wine-tour
Use Promo Code: Level1
Hurry only 4 spaces left!

Cheers!

08/06/2020

We're super excited to be back operating our wine tours now that NZ has moved to Level 1 restrictions.
What better way to celebrate than by grabbing some mates and doing a tour around some of Central Otago's stunning vineyards.
www.wanakawinetours.com🤣

06/04/2020

05/04/2020

Wishing our friends at The Stoaker Room Bistro and Bar a very happy birthday.
Can wait until we're able to take our lovely clients in there again.
Cheers!

04/12/2019

It's pretty wet out there today.
If you're looking for an activity that doesn't rely on good weather, why not lift your spirits by coming on a wine tour with us?
Great weather for Pinot noir !
Cheers !

29/11/2019

Amazing stuff again from # WildEarthWines and Jen Parr !
Do yourself a favour and buy some !

It’s the week of festivities at Wild Earth Wines. We’ve just heard from the prestigious International Wine Challenge in London that our Pinot Noir 2017 received a gold medal with 95 points and our Pinot Noir 2018 a silver medal with 92 points. We’re thrilled with these results. Both wines of course beautifully made by ‘NZ Winemaker of the Year Finalist’ Jen Parr. Cheers to the weekend!

25/11/2019

Big congratulations to Jen Parr for being nominated as NZ Winemaker of the year! Valli and Wild Earth are very lucky to have you.
AND she skis like the wind!

Our Jen is doing us proud as always with another nomination for the Gourmet Traveller WINE ‘New Zealand Winemaker of the Year’...for the second year in a row! She is one of only six finalists for all of New Zealand and is the only female in the group. Jen Parr you’re a legend - we love seeing you get the recognition you deserve. Cheers to YOU! 🥂

17/11/2019

Big congratulations to the awesome team at Wild Earth. Amazing wine as well as delicious food.
Definitely worth a try !

Exciting award news just before the weekend starts. Our Pinot Noir 2018 has just been awarded a Blue Gold medal in one of Australia’s most prestigious wine shows: The Sydney International Wine Competition 2020, where wine is judged with food. Cheers!

21/10/2019

Here's a bit of wine trivia for you! Q: Do you know the names of the different wine bottle sizes?
Hint: They are named after biblical kings....yeah we thought that might help! Here's the list...but will leave the naming of the last 2 until next post - perhaps you can guess?
Needless to say we don't see too many of the boutique wineries we visit on our Wanaka Wine Tours using the bigger varieties - not many of our wineries produce that sort of volume....and that's in part what makes them so unique.

187.5 ml Piccolo or Split: Typically used for a single serving of Champagne.

375 ml Demi or Half: Holds one-half of the standard 750 ml size.

750 ml Standard: Common bottle size for most distributed wine.

1.5 L Magnum: Equivalent to two standard 750 ml bottles.

3.0 L Double Magnum: Equivalent to two Magnums or four standard 750 ml bottles.

4.5 L Jeroboam: Equivalent to six standard 750 ml bottles. (In sparkling wines a Jeroboam is 3 liters)

4.5 L Rehoboam: A sparkling wine bottle with six standard 750 ml bottles.

6.0 L Imperial: (aka Methuselah) Equivalent to eight standard 750 ml bottles or two Double Magnums.

9.0 L Salmanazar: Equivalent to twelve standard 750 ml bottles or a full case of wine!

12.0 L Balthazar: Equivalent to sixteen standard 750 ml bottles or two Imperials.

15.0 ?? : Equivalent to twenty standard 750 ml bottles.

18.0 ??? : (aka Melchoir) Equivalent to twenty four standard 750 ml bottles.

16/07/2019

Wow! We'd like to say a massive CONGRATULATIONS to our friends at Rippon for being named number 8 best vineyard in the world!! As if that wasn't enough they were also named Australasia's BEST vineyard!!
What an amazing accolade. This is thoroughly deserved as the team at Rippon have been grafting away for well over 30 years to make some stunning vintages which certainly reflect the terroir of this stunning vineyard.
We are very proud of our friends at Rippon and look forward to celebrating with them in a suitable style.

Cheers!!

Wanaka and Hawke's Bay vineyards featured in awards designed to honour the best in wine tourism.

29/06/2019

Did you know how many celebrities made wine? Well, I think it might be a stretch to say they "make the wine". Although we know that Sam Neill is not afraid to get his hands dirty at his Two Paddocks Vineyard.

Here's an interesting little article from the US Magazine "Wine Enthusiast" . Poor ol' Madonna's wine doesn't fair so well. But read on.

Fortunately, we have some excellent non-celebrity winemakers who help make our Central Otago wine region one of the most interesting in the world. Wanaka Wine Tours can get you to some of the more boutique vineyards in the region. Give us a call 0800 946 387

The latest status symbol for many stars is launching (or buying) their own winery. But how do the wines actually stack up?

11/06/2019

Did you know that Riedel, the famous glassware makers created a glass especially for the Central Otago Pinot Noir? It really is a world first for such a small regional wine variety to have its own glass dedicated to it. Like us at Wanaka Wine Tours, Riedel must have though our Pinot Noir was pretty special and deserved it's own glass...we agree!

27/05/2019

Q: What's the difference between a $50 and a $500 bottle of wine?
A: AGEcon Research (US) conducted a blind taste test in which people were given samples of wine. Interestingly it was found that they did not get any more enjoyment from a more expensive wine compared to a less expensive version.
On a tour with Wanaka Wine Tours you'll get to taste a great range of wines at different prices & you can let your own taste buds be the judge!

11/01/2019

Q: Why is the Pinot Noir grape so hard to grow?

A: Because the bunches are tight, fungi and rot easily grow in humid conditions between the grapes. The grape has a thin skin that doesn't protect against pests. This thin skin also makes the grapes more sensitive to heat and more prone to bursting after a rain. Pinot Noir berries also have low tannins which is a natural protection against pests and UV radiation.

Learn more about Pinot and the unique growing environment of Wanaka and Central Otago with Wanaka Wine Tours

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27/12/2018

Continuing our "whacky" wine labels series! For the life of us at Wanaka Wine Tours, we cannot think why you would call your chardonnay "Running with Scissors". Perhaps a bottle (or case?) was consumed by the winemaker before choosing the name??? Go figure?

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19/12/2018

We were very happy to help this team to reach their fundraising goal!

SUCCESS! The Love Lake Wanaka project has reached it's funding goal!

Thanks to individuals and businesses around the country, and a very generous business donation coming to us in the new year, at least 4,000 native plants will go in the ground next winter to protect Wanaka's waterways for generations to come!

THANK YOU!! 💚💚

Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust Century Yuasa Batteries Upper Clutha Lakes Trust Mighway Lake Wanaka Cruises Release Wanaka Wildwire Wanaka Paddle Wanaka Go Jets Wanaka Wanaka Wine Tours JUCY ONE New Zealand Megabyte Technology Consultants Otago Regional Council

13/12/2018

Q: Where does Pinot Noir get its name from?

A: Pinot Noir simply refers to the pine cone-like shape of the grape bunches that is characteristic of this variety. Noir is French for black. Simply put then, Pinot Noir is French for the black pine cone grape variety.

Want to learn more about Pinot Noir? Come & join a Wanaka Wine Tours guided tour this summer.

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27/11/2018

Nothing like Wine & Song. We came upon this little ditty while scooting around on the web. Standby for more verses! The team at Wanaka Wine Tours are now busy trying to find a tune to set the words to! Next sing-along tune in the touring van?

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13/11/2018

Did you know? Wanaka Wine Tours has a new wine tour this season! Perfect for those who only have a short stay in Wanaka. We pick you up from your accommodation and head out to taste unique wines at two of our local vineyards.

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28/10/2018

Aaah yes, but too much wine and perhaps you will need therapy. At Wanaka Wine Tours we prefer quality to quantity and fortunately we live in Central Otago, NZ, where some of the world's best Pinot Noir is produced. Come and discover our unique wines with the team at Wanaka Wine Tours.

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20/10/2018

Nervous times for our wine growers in Wanaka & Central Otago. It's "bud burst" time. The buds will form the leaves & flowers for the coming season. They are delicate and any frost, heavy rain or strong wind can damage them irreparably. Goodbye vintage! So all the Wanaka Wine Tours team are sending up a special prayer for all the vineyards we visit ..."May NZ weather gods be kind!"

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04/07/2018

Continuing with our discovery of some interesting wine labels from around the world. This red wine label from the US, has caused quite a bit of controversy. We at Wanaka Wine Tours do admit that it took us a little while to understand why the label "If You See Kay" caused such a fuss? 🤔 Aaha....but now we get it! 😂

02/07/2018

Well there's nothing like a catchy name for your wine? But what about the NZ Winery - Cooper's Creek? "Cat's P*e On A Gooseberry Bush"??? After a bit of a search through the world wackiest wine labels, Cooper's one is a goodie...but stay tuned there's a whole lot more weird and wonderful labels out there. But if you want to book a wine tour to sample some more tamely labelled wines - book at trip with us Wanaka Wine Tours

23/06/2018

Continuing our exploration of the weirdest wine label names. This American wine label "If You See Kay" created quite the controversy. Admittedly it took a little while for us to understand what all the fuss was about....???

23/06/2018

Welcome to Winter in Wanaka! The ski fields are open and we are once again strapping on our skis and boards for another snowy season. If you or your friends are heading our way for a ski holiday but need a break from the slopes, join us for a 2hour, half or full day wine tour. There's no better way to experience some of our regions boutique wineries than with Wanaka Wine Tours

02/06/2018

WE DID IT AGAIN! Thanks to the fabulous WWT team who helped us win a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award for the 4th year in a row. And thanks especially to all our lovely clientele who reviewed us on TripAdvisor. Looking forward to another great vintage in 2018!

28/02/2018

Every winery we visit has a unique backstory. And so too is the special support that Allan Scott Wines and their Central Otago Scott Base Tasting Room give to the Antartic Heritage Trust for the preservation of the huts at the South Pole! Come and visit Scott Base wines with us on our Wanaka Wine Tours and taste some delicious wines, but also help support the Antartic heritage trust

21/02/2018

Join us for a new Wanaka experience. Learn to Rock Climb with the expert team Basecamp Wanaka Climbing Centre for the morning, then chill out in the afternoon tasting our regions finest wines with us at Wanaka Wine Tours.

13/02/2018

Well the summer holidays for New Zealanders have truly finished. It's back to work, nose to the grindstone and all that. But imagine how good a button like this would be on your keyboard? Or what about a keyboard button to magically teleport you to join one of our fun & relaxing Wanaka Wine Tours ? Sounds like a great plan to us!

04/02/2018

We attended the fabulous 'Women in Wine' lunch last week in Bannockburn. Great to sample some new wines for our clients and meet some more of the women vineyard owners and staff in our region!
http://www2.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/rural-business/news/article.cfm?c_id=1504329&objectid=11980406

A Central Otago 'Women in Wine'' group will hopefully result in more women involvement.

10/12/2017

We love it that 25% of visitors to New Zealand are looking for an experience with NZ wines! A trip with Wanaka Wine Tours increases your knowledge of the overall industry in NZ, teaches you about the climate, geography and other details of the region. It also means that our visitors can sample more and don't need to drive!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11956911

Twenty-five per cent of international visitors take a trip to a vineyard