Today, Central Otago is regarded as one of the top three regions in the world for Pinot Noir along with Burgundy in France and Oregon in the USA. Central Otago is also known for producing outstanding world-class wines from other cold-climate varieties including Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay. As pioneers of the Central Otago wine region, Gibbston Valley Winery has been handcrafting premium wines for more than three decades. 

Inspired by his passion for winemaking, Gibbston Valley Winery founder, Alan Brady, planted his first vines in Gibbston in the early 1980s. At 45 degrees south of the equator, his vines were right on the knife-edge of possibility for grape cultivation. Everyone thought that it was too cold for grapes here, but Brady had a hunch, and he was right. Alan planted Gibbston Valley’s first commercial vineyard, Home Block, in 1983 and released Central Otago’s first commercial vintage in 1987. The wine gained considerable recognition, creating Central Otago’s first footprint in the world of winemaking.

Located about 25 minutes from Queenstown, the winery is home to a bistro-style restaurant, tasting room, bike centre, the country’s largest wine cave and a luxury Lodge & Spa, offering a range of ways for guests to experience everything that the Central Otago wine region has to offer. Learn some fun facts on its daily Cave and Winery tours or stop in for an exquisite lunch at the winery restaurant. At the bike centre, you can hire a bike, book a package and get access to some of the top trails in Queenstown.