Wanaka Wine Tours

Wanaka Wine Tours Wanaka's original wine tour provider. Since 2001! Try us, you'll be happy. www.wanakawinetours.com Dream job? Of course it is!

We enjoy taking small groups to meet the real characters in an industry that’s full of them, and to taste the best wines with the best local gourmet produce, all served among incredible scenery and fascinating stories. But only because we’re not so much guiding as sharing the place we love to call home and the wine that goes with it. A day out in legendary Central Otago countryside with people who like wine, like to chat and like to relax – Just like we do.

Meet your guide: Mary-Louise 🍷After 26 years in Wānaka, Mary-Louise knows this region like the back of her hand.Passiona...
07/06/2026

Meet your guide: Mary-Louise 🍷

After 26 years in Wānaka, Mary-Louise knows this region like the back of her hand.

Passionate about adventure, great wine, and the incredible landscapes of Central Otago, she brings an infectious love for the area to every tour. Whether it’s discovering a new favourite wine, sharing local stories, or pointing out hidden gems along the drive, touring with Mary-Louise feels like exploring the region with a friend.

Wine tasting and beyond — she’s all about making the most of everything Wānaka has to offer.

05/06/2026

What is there besides wine on a tour?

You get to learn about the land, the wines, and forge new friendships in wine with the others on your tour! With smaller groups, we don't bus you around like a taxi driver, we bring together small groups tht get to know each other and experience the best of what this region has to offer.

04/06/2026

POV: You booked the wine tour...

Who are you bringing with you?

As we make our way through Central Otago… You might notice just how remote it feels out here and that’s no accident.Cent...
02/06/2026

As we make our way through Central Otago…

You might notice just how remote it feels out here and that’s no accident.
Central Otago is the furthest inland wine region in New Zealand, tucked deep within mountain ranges and far from the ocean. This isolation creates something quite rare in this country — a continental climate.

Unlike most of New Zealand’s wine regions, which are heavily influenced by the sea, Central Otago experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters, with big temperature swings between day and night.

It’s this unique combination of isolation and climate that helps shape the wines — giving them intensity, structure, and a distinct sense of place.

“Age appears best in four things…” — Francis Bacon What are you opening when the moment calls for something special? 👇
31/05/2026

“Age appears best in four things…” — Francis Bacon

What are you opening when the moment calls for something special? 👇

Winery Spotlight: Domaine ThomsonDomaine Thomson was founded as a tribute to explorer and surveyor John Turnbull Thomson...
29/05/2026

Winery Spotlight: Domaine Thomson

Domaine Thomson was founded as a tribute to explorer and surveyor John Turnbull Thomson (J.T. Thomson), one of the early figures responsible for mapping much of Otago and the lower South Island in the 1800s.

The vineyard sits in one of Central Otago’s warmest and driest sub-regions — ideal for producing expressive, structured Pinot Noir. The schist-heavy soils and dramatic temperature swings help create wines with concentration, elegance, and balance.
Domaine Thomson is known for crafting wines with a strong sense of place, while also drawing inspiration from traditional French winemaking techniques. Their connection to Burgundy even extends to vineyard holdings in Gevrey-Chambertin and Marsannay in France.

A meeting point of Central Otago character and old-world influence — all in one glass.

Winery Spotlight: Domaine ThomsonDomaine Thomson was founded as a tribute to explorer and surveyor John Turnbull Thomson...
29/05/2026

Winery Spotlight: Domaine Thomson

Domaine Thomson was founded as a tribute to explorer and surveyor John Turnbull Thomson (J.T. Thomson), one of the early figures responsible for mapping much of Otago and the lower South Island in the 1800s.

The vineyard sits in one of Central Otago’s warmest and driest sub-regions — ideal for producing expressive, structured Pinot Noir. The schist-heavy soils and dramatic temperature swings help create wines with concentration, elegance, and balance.
Domaine Thomson is known for crafting wines with a strong sense of place, while also drawing inspiration from traditional French winemaking techniques. Their connection to Burgundy even extends to vineyard holdings in Gevrey-Chambertin and Marsannay in France.

A meeting point of Central Otago character and old-world influence — all in one glass.

Accounting for just 1–2% of plantings in Central Otago, Gewürztraminer is one of the region’s hidden gems.Originally ass...
27/05/2026

Accounting for just 1–2% of plantings in Central Otago, Gewürztraminer is one of the region’s hidden gems.

Originally associated with regions like Germany, this highly aromatic grape has found a unique expression here. In the handful of vineyards that grow it, Central Otago’s climate and soils create a cleaner, drier style than many of its richer, sweeter counterparts around the world.

In the glass, expect rose petal, Turkish delight, lychee, ripe pear, ginger, clove, and exotic spice — all the signature aromatics, but with a fresher, more balanced finish.

It may be small in production, but it’s a wine that leaves a lasting impression.

Meet your guide: Rodney 🍷Relaxed, friendly, and full of great energy, Rodney has a way of making every tour feel like yo...
25/05/2026

Meet your guide: Rodney 🍷

Relaxed, friendly, and full of great energy, Rodney has a way of making every tour feel like you’re out for the day with a good mate.

With a deep knowledge of Wānaka and the surrounding region, he’s always ready with a story, a local insight, or the perfect recommendation for what’s in your glass.

Easygoing, engaging, and genuinely passionate about what he does — you’re in good hands with Rodney.

Three glasses, three stops, three very different vineyard views…Not all vineyards look the same… and that’s part of what...
23/05/2026

Three glasses, three stops, three very different vineyard views…

Not all vineyards look the same… and that’s part of what makes Central Otago wine touring so special.

Can you guess where each tasting was? 👇

Address

103 Ardmore Street
Wanaka
9305

Telephone

+6421919468

Website

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