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Josh Emett's modern NZ fine-dining flagship in a courtyard off the mall — the most awarded restaurant in Queenstown and a national Cuisine Restaurant of the Year alumnus.
Why today: Ski season — book ahead and expect the town to be full.
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Best Wineries & Cellar Doors near Queenstown
Gibbston Valley and Lake Hayes cellar doors pouring Central Otago Pinot Noir.
Gibbston Valley and Lake Hayes cellar doors pouring Central Otago Pinot Noir.
Gibbston Valley Winery is the easiest first stop — 20–25 minutes from town, open daily, no booking needed for a standard tasting, and home to New Zealand's largest wine cave. Kinross is the highest-value stop because one cellar door pours six different boutique Central Otago labels, and Amisfield at Lake Hayes is the one to build a long lunch around. Note that Chard Farm and Peregrine both want a booking, and Peregrine is closed on Sundays.
- wineries Queenstown
- cellar doors Queenstown
- Gibbston Valley wine
- Central Otago Pinot Noir tasting
Gibbston Valley Winery
The region's pioneering winery and the most complete day out on the trail — New Zealand's largest wine cave, a tasting room, bistro, on-site cheesery and a luxury lodge, all at 1820 State Highway 6.
- Booking
- No booking needed for a standard cellar-door tasting; private tastings and the cave tour are worth arranging ahead.
- Season
- Open year-round, seven days. Closed Christmas Day.
Kinross Cellar Door
The single most efficient stop on the trail: one cellar door pouring six boutique Central Otago labels you would otherwise drive all day to find, with a bistro alongside it.
- Booking
- Walk-ins welcome. Last tasting 4.30pm and last bistro orders 4.30pm, so do not leave it late.
- Season
- Cellar door 10am–5pm daily year-round; bistro from 11am. Closed Christmas Day.
Amisfield
Lake Hayes specialist in Pinot Noir and aromatic whites. The cellar door reopened after a refit and now runs à la carte, while the separate evening restaurant is the region's best-known tasting-menu table.
- Booking
- Cellar door takes walk-in groups of seven or fewer; larger groups must email ahead. The evening restaurant is online booking only and books out well in advance.
- Season
- Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11.30am–5pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Chard Farm
Family-run pioneer at the entrance to the valley, reached by a narrow gravel road along a terrace high above the Kawarau River. The drive in is half the reason to go.
- Booking
- Bookings are essential — call +64 3 441 8452 rather than turning up. Tastings are charged per person.
- Season
- Open seven days, 11am–5pm, year-round. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday; opens 1pm on ANZAC Day.
Peregrine Wines
The architectural landmark of Gibbston — a vast falcon-wing roof over the winery — pouring Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling in the middle of the valley.
- Booking
- Reserve in advance through their online system.
- Season
- Monday to Saturday, 11am–4pm. Closed Sundays — the single most common trip-planning mistake on this trail.
Brennan Wines
Small Gibbston producer on the Back Road, built for lingering: a self-guided or hosted tasting, a platter, and a game of petanque in the garden.
- Booking
- Walk-in self-guided tastings are possible, but they strongly encourage booking — +64 3 442 4315.
- Season
- Open daily 11am–5pm, year-round.
Mt Rosa Wines
Family-owned single-vineyard tasting room on the Gibbston Back Road, with an open fire in winter and a courtyard in summer — one of the few that is genuinely pleasant in any weather.
- Booking
- Booking recommended, and essential for six or more. The guided tasting fee is waived if you buy two bottles or more.
- Season
- Open year-round — fireside in winter, courtyard in summer.
Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen
The Arrowtown–Lake Hayes Road site that most guidebooks still call Akarua. It reopened under new management as Mora — a boutique cellar door and all-day kitchen in a restored heritage cottage.
- Booking
- Walk-ins fine; book by email or phone for a group or a table at the restaurant.
- Season
- Cellar door seven days 10am–5pm; restaurant from 9am. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Waitiri Creek @ The Gibbston Fine Beverage Co.
One of Gibbston's founding labels, back after roughly seven years away — now pouring from the historic Waitiri Creek woolshed on the Back Road rather than the old church site many maps still point to.
- Booking
- Walk-in. Phone ahead on +64 274 463 946 if you are making a special trip, as this is the newest reopening on the trail.
- Season
- Winter hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 11am–5pm — closed Monday and Tuesday.
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