Winery Cruise Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Winery Cruise Tour worth booking?
Winery Cruise Tour is a 7-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $295 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (4)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $295 per person
Come aboard New Zealand’s first and only winery cruise tour. Whether you’re celebrating with a memorable birthday outing or simply treating yourself, this is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find anywhere else. Your
What you get
- Three scenic cruises, one between each winery
- Complimentary tastings at Matt Connell Wines
- Complimentary pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation within the Cromwell area
About this experience
Come aboard New Zealand’s first and only winery cruise tour. Whether you’re celebrating with a memorable birthday outing or simply treating yourself, this is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find anywhere else. Your day includes: - Visits to three standout Central Otago wineries: Matt Connell Wines, Carrick, and Cloudy Bay's "The Shed" - A guided experience with relaxed, informative commentary throughout the day - Three scenic cruises, one between each winery - Complimentary pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation within the Cromwell area — anywhere from Bannockburn to Pisa Moorings - Complimentary tastings at Matt Connell Wines
What's included
Included
- Three scenic cruises, one between each winery
- Complimentary tastings at Matt Connell Wines
- Complimentary pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation within the Cromwell area
What you'll see and do
Visits to three standout Central Otago wineries: Matt Connell Wines, Carrick, and Cloudy Bay's "The Shed"
420 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cromwell Winery Cruises
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Winery Cruise Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fantastic Winery Cruise
We had a brilliant time on our winery cruise! Sam was incredibly personable and easy to chat with, making the whole experience feel very relaxed. He clearly knows his stuff, and his knowledge of the Cromwell and Bannockburn wineries really added to the day. The boat itself was both cool and very comfy, and it was so convenient being picked up and dropped off right at our door in the shuttle. Visiting three different spots with a tasting at one was the perfect pace. If you’re looking for a fun, informative, and stress-free way to see the best of the region, I highly recommend this!
via Tripadvisor
Relaxing day on the water visiting wineries
Had a great day out with Sam who gave us a lot of background information about the area and went out of his way to show us the local wildlife when he spotted them. He made sure we were looked after at the wineries and because we were his only customers he offered to drop us at another tasting place and take us back home when we were finished. My husband forgot to pay at one winery and Sam drove back to pay our bill for us which was much appreciated. We wish Sam all the best for his new business.
via Tripadvisor
A very memorable wine tasting day
We had seen a mention of Sam Taylor’s new venture, Cromwell Winery Cruises in a recent Sunday newspaper travel section so jumped at the chance to try it during our Central Otago holiday and were extremely pleased we did! Sam offers a very personable way to visit three superb wineries from 10am to 4:30 pm, uniquely by a very comfortable boat. He offers wonderful local knowledge and he stopped to show us a close up look of the infamous 2023 Bird of the Year and Bird of the Century, the Puteketeke (made famous by US comedian and show host,John Oliver) two of them hanging out on the lake. Very special! It was clear that Sam has developed strong relationships at the wineries after only two months in business and we felt the warmth and friendliness he has cultivated. We highly recommend adding this to your itinerary if you want to experience three fabulous wineries, wonderful views from on the lake and feel well looked after by Sam.
via Tripadvisor
Novel wine cruise in Otago for lovers of fine wine and lake cruising!
We were very honoured to be the first international guests on the new Cromwell Winery Cruise. We were picked up promptly from our accommodation north of Cromwell at Pisa Moorings. The tour van is smart, spacious and comfortable. Then it was on to a very bougie boat, which was very comfortable and sophisticated with reclining leather (?) seats and plenty of room. Not much protection from the elements though, so you may need a raincoat, or hat, sunnies and sunscreen, depending on the weather. The three wineries were all first class, with delicious wines and attentive staff. Note at the second winery you need to either book lunch in advance or go with the pizza (delicious!). With the third winery you need to book the wine tasting separately. Note also at the first two you need to be able to walk uphill on a gravel path for 10 minutes or so from where the boat pulls in, so appropriate fitness and footwear is needed. The entrepreneur who founded and now runs the business is Sam, who was great to deal with, super organized and very friendly. He had lots of interesting history and knowledge to share as well during the day. We ended up at Penny Black in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct at the end of the afternoon. The cocktails, wine and food there were awesome. Later in the evening Sam was kind enough to rescue us when we needed a ride home and there were no taxis to be found in Cromwell. What a superstar! We wish him well in his new and original tourism venture!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 18+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Winery Cruise Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does Winery Cruise Tour cost?
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Prices start at $295 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Queenstown usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Winery Cruise Tour take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Queenstown is not rushed.
Is Winery Cruise Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Queenstown, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Winery Cruise Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Winery Cruise Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 18. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 7-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Winery Cruise Tour?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Queenstown can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Queenstown and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Winery Cruise Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Queenstown within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Queenstown?
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On Outty we rank every Queenstown experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Queenstown?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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