Queenstown Helicopter Wine Tour

Your day begins with collection by the helicopter company from your Queenstown accommodation, followed by a transfer to their base for a safety briefing. It is a smooth start to the day, with just enough anticipation before you lift off and the region opens up below you.

Once in the air, you will fly across the Gibbston wine region with wide views over the valley, the vines, and the surrounding mountains. Seeing the landscape from above gives the day a very different feel from the beginning, and adds a sense of occasion before the first tasting even begins. The total flight time is around 35 to 40 minutes, including the mountain landing.

During the flight, your pilot lands on a mountain top where you can step out, take in the view, and enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles. It is a simple but memorable part of the day, and one that gives this Queenstown wine tour its own character.

After landing in Gibbston, you will meet your Altitude Tours guide and continue by road to Gibbston Valley Winery. One of the region’s founding wineries, it is a fitting place to begin the tasting journey. Here, you will join a guided tour through New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave and enjoy a tasting of their well-known Central Otago wines.

Kinross offers the chance to taste wines from several boutique producers in one welcoming setting. This stop brings a little more variety to the day, and also gives you time to enjoy lunch if you wish. The menu includes pizzas, platters, smaller bites, and mains, all ordered and paid directly on the day, which keeps things flexible.

Mt Rosa offers a more intimate cellar door experience. Set below the Nevis Bluff, this owner-operated winery is known for its single-label wines and relaxed hospitality. The setting feels distinctly local, and the tasting here adds another layer to the day. In the cooler months, their mulled wine is also a guest favourite.

Your final stop is Ayrburn, one of Queenstown’s most vibrant new wine destinations. Set within beautifully restored farm buildings, Ayrburn combines a lively atmosphere with wines crafted from some of Central Otago’s finest vineyards. It is a fitting way to finish the day, with a final tasting in a setting that feels both stylish and grounded in the region.

At the end of the tour, your Altitude guide returns you to Queenstown. By then, you will have seen the Gibbston region from the air, visited four standout cellar doors, and enjoyed a wine experience that feels a little different from the usual day out.

This flight has been specially created in theme with your wine tour. Your pilot will take you right across the Gibbston wine region, flying over the valley and its vines below.

The total time is 35-40 minutes and that includes the time in the air, as well as a mountain landing to enjoy a glass of bubbles.

The flight is subject to weather and minimum numbers (4). In the case when these numbers are not met, or mother nature interferes, you can choose to cancel, reschedule to another day, or travel by road on our regular Wine Sampler Tour.

We start with a cave tour at Gibbston Valley, followed by a tasting at the wonderful Kinross where we then stop for lunch. After lunch you’ll visit Mt Rosa and the fourth stop of the trip is at Ayrburn!

Our lunch stop is at Kinross who offers main meals as well as sharing-style platters and bites. You’ll pay Kinross directly for these meals on the day.

Yes, however, we know good counselors!

Absolutely! Your guide will provide a menu and pre-order your meal at the beginning of the tour, just let them know of any dietary requirements and this can be catered for.

Being a wine-focused tour, it is designed to best entertain those 18 years and older.

Bring a warm layer for your mountaintop landing! Make sure to bring sun protection for those sunny days where you might want to enjoy outdoor tastings. For ideas on what NOT to wear check out our blog: What not to wear on a wine tour

Yes all of our wine guides are put through an intensive wine and beer accreditation specifically built for Altitude Tours. This includes theory on the history of wine, wine in the world, wine in NZ and wine in Central Otago. They also know when to stop delivering wine information and let you sit back, enjoy the sights and day out!

No, but you can buy any wine along the way from the cellar door we visit. All wine purchased is placed in the boot of the vehicle and passed over to you on completion of the tour so you can enjoy it after or later on your holiday.

The helicopter company will pick you up from your hotel and then your Altitude Tours guide will drop you back at the end of the day.

When booking, type in your accommodation. If it doesn’t come up just check in with us and we’ll let you know where is closest for you!

All levels of wine knowledge are welcome! From the beginner wine tasting to the expert wine connoisseur wanting to chat wine all day, our guides and tours will suit all.

Central Otago is famous for it’s Pinot Noir, so there will certainly be plenty of that to taste! Other varieties you’ll taste are Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé and Riesling.

For the helicopter, we will need 4 adults booked to confirm. But, if the heli doesn’t confirm you are still able to join our Wine Sampler by road – this only needs 3 adults to confirm and typically goes every day without any trouble!

Yes! All wine purchased is placed in the boot of the vehicle and passed over to you on completion of the tour so you can enjoy it after or later on your holiday.

You are not wrong! Altitude Tours was awarded the Worlds’ Best Wine Tour by Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Awards 2021 – we are super proud!

We do not have any facilities to lift you into our vans, please get in touch to discuss your requirements, we will do our best to accommodate you.