Queenstown is famous for several things, but there is a trio that stands out from the crowd: exceptional natural beauty, exceptional local produce and exceptional wines. With all of Central Otago doing its utmost to uphold the long-standing tradition of being some of the best winemakers in the world, it’s no wonder that vineyards have become increasingly popular with each passing year. Several vineyards in Queenstown and the greater Central Otago offer spaces within their vineyards that act as gorgeous venues, with awe-inspiring views of mountain ranges and rolling hills. Below is a list of some of the best Queenstown vineyard venues. You can also take a look at our complete Queenstown venue guide for more options.

Kinross

Image by First Table

Take in the vineyards of Gibbston Valley with Kinross, a multifunctional Queenstown venue that has so much to offer. They boast paradise of water features, schist ruins, hundred-year-old trees, designated BBQ areas, playgrounds, petanque, a wine garden and cellar, and walking and cycle trails. With all these unique features, they guarantee that your event will, without a doubt, be an affair to remember. Kinross can host up to 60 seated guests, and many more at a canapé or tapas-style affair. They select their wines from 5 local and prestigious wine labels, and also source most of their on-site catering produce locally − which includes their very own herb and vegetable garden.

 

Stoneridge Estate

Image by Stoneridge Estate

Treat your guests to Stoneridge Estate, a 12-acre boutique vineyard that offers lovely views of Lake Hayes and the alpine peaks, making for a relaxing and seasoned Queenstown vineyard venue. Stoneridge Estate can host anywhere from 6 to 180 guests in any of their cosy and luxe venue options and is a 20-minute drive from Queenstown Airport and a 5-minute drive from Arrowtown. Their team has years of experience when it comes to event planning and management, and they offer 3 different spaces for your function: The Boardroom, The Hayes Room and The Lodge Dining Room. They are committed to making your event as perfect as possible, with bespoke menus and packages for you to choose from.

 

Amisfield

Image by Arrowtown

At Amisfield, their philosophy is to draw inspiration from the land around them − and they invite you to do the same. Their menus are dictated by the seasons, with a dedicated forager and an experienced charcutier to hunt, gather and curate produce to perfection. Amisfield is available for both private dining events and exclusive hire. Private dining takes place in an intimate and luxurious space that boasts views of Lake Hayes, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, catering for up to 35 guests. On the other hand, exclusive hire can host anywhere from 60 to 110 guests, with the added option of outdoor seating. Amisfield is a gorgeous and wholesome space to host your event, with a team that lives off the land and is committed to thorough work.

 

Rippon

Image by Andy Woods

Since 1975, Rippon comes with a wealth of history and experience to match. With biodynamic farming and stunning views of Central Otago, this vineyard venue offers Rippon Hall as its main function space. It boasts views of the vineyard and Lake Wanaka, Ruby Island, the Southern Alps and beyond. The walls are made from compacted earth from Rippon hillside, with trusses and beams built from timber from their own forest. This event space is as earthy and wholesome as they come, open to hosting up to 300 guests and available for any number of functions. Rippon’s on-site events manager will be with you every step of the way, whether you’re planning a smaller meeting of a few colleagues or a cocktail gathering for a hundred or more.

 

Carrick

Image by International Wine Review

Carrick is identified by the Carrick Bend Knot, depicting the “tying” of Central Otago’s land to Carrick’s thorough viticultural and winemaking practices. With a strong focus on individuality and the strength of the soil, Carrick has been around since the 1990s and makes for a wonderful event space. They’re an hour’s drive from both Queenstown and Wanaka and can cater for any function, from conferences to meetings. They offer delicious on-site catering, superb wines, breathtaking views and magnificent lodges on their property for accommodation options. With both Queenstown and Wanaka so close, there are a host of options for accommodation and transport. The team at Carrick is dedicated to making sure that your event is taken care of from top to bottom.

 

Mt. Difficulty

Image by Otago Daily Times

Spanning vineyards across Central Otago, from Gibbston to Bendigo, Mt. Difficulty is dedicated to crafting truly New Zealand wines. The Cellar Door rests above Felton Road on a rocky outcrop that gazes over the Cromwell basin and all the way to Lake Dunstan. It’s a modern building, first opened in 2003, with an added extension for wine tasting opened in 2012. The Winery Restaurant features an outdoor terrace to soak in the sun and roaring fireplaces to keep you cosy during the winter months and is available for exclusive hire for up to 36 of your lucky guests. With on-site catering options provided by their talented chefs, as well as incredible wine options handpicked by their expert winemakers, Mt. Difficulty is a vineyard venue that is altogether perfect for more intimate events.

 

The Canyon

Image by The Canyon

The Canyon is a 15-minute drive from Cromwell and an hour from the centre of Queenstown, with picturesque views and fresh air that makes the scenic drive even more worthwhile. Atop a canyon, their venue, Tarras Winery, can host any type of fabulous event, be it a refreshing retreat or even a concert. The Canyon can host up to 500 guests, with multiple spaces for you to pick between (the cinema, outdoor amphitheatre, main building and pagoda) and audiovisual equipment on demand. They also offer the exciting option of ‘glamping’ should your guests choose to kit it out in style, and have a seasoned team at hand to help with all planning and organising. The Canyon is surrounded by nature, offering serenity and beauty in equal parts.

 

Como Villa Estate

Image by Como Villa Estate

Visit the past with Como Villa Estate, originally constructed in 1865 and lovingly restored to give it a rustic ambience and unique cellar door. As a family-run vineyard, Como Villa Estate produces wine boutique-style, handpicking grapes and locally bottled. They are on the fringe of Alexandra, making them an hour drive from the middle of Queenstown. They offer privacy and relaxation and can host up to 150 guests. With a cellar door and museum to add a historic and interesting edge to your event, Como Villa Estate also provides fine wines, a putting green, horse-drawn drays and much more. They provide a homey and laidback vineyard venue, rich with history and the scent of a perfectly crafted wine.

 

Peregrine

Image by Peregrine

Peregrine rests in the Crown Range and has been a family-owned business and venue since 1998. They have a holistic approach to farming and vineyard management, which translates seamlessly into creating an open and beautiful space for any event on their vineyard or at Pinnacle Club, an exclusive space that offers the very best of Peregrine. Their architecturally acclaimed ‘Wing’ serves as a malleable space for a function, while their rustic Woolshed adds a sense of cosy warmth to an already charming vineyard venue option. As a venue-only facility, all vendors and suppliers will be of your own choice when you host an event at Peregrine. However, the team at Peregrine is always around to offer you any assistance you may need to ensure your event goes exactly as you’d hoped.