Enjoy an all-day tour of Central Otago’s stunning vineyards
by Helicopter and Jeep Wrangler
Land on the lawn deep in the heart of Central Otago wine region
Life is all about the journey and so why not arrive in style? Our unique tour enables you to visit more of Central Otago’s exclusive vineyards than ever before. Wind your way through the lakes and mountains of Central Otago before taking to the skies with the region’s famed vineyards as your backdrop.
Explore up to 6 vineyards – or linger for longer at your favourite
Our tours are completely tailored to you and customisable to suit your group. We can’t think of a better way to spend a day than wine tasting, meandering between vineyards for a winery lunch, and taking to the skies to view one of the world’s top Pinot Noir regions from above.
Start from Queenstown, Wanaka or Central Otago
Whether you’re after a Queenstown get-away, an extended Wanaka winery lunch or want to explore deeper into the Central Otago wine subregions, this customisable winery package has something for everyone.
Support Local – Flying with a boutique local operator
Family-owned Heliview Flights is a boutique scenic helicopter business based in Cromwell. The heart of the Central Otago wine region, and specialises in customised vineyard tours of the region, departing from Queenstown, Wanaka and Cromwell.
Central Otago – the hottest wine region in New Zealand (in more ways than one)
Central Otago is the only continental climate wine region in New Zealand and a land of extremes, being the most southern, hottest, driest and highest wine growing region in NZ. This brutal landscape delivers purity, complexity and subregional variety in every glass and is the reason that Central Otago is home to some of the world’s best Pinot Noir, not to mention impressive, vivid white wines.
On a typical Heliview Heli Wine Tour, you will meet local wine wine makers who will take you through the wine making process. They’ve show you their craft from planting the vines and nurturing the fruit through to the optimal harvest time and the ideal storage conditions – before you of course sample the end product.
Diving deep into the heart of Central Otago
You will also learn how the area’s gold rush of the 1860’s continues to influence the terroir and thus the fruit.
To break up the day, non-wine related activities such as a visit to Highlands Motorsport Park, a local cherry orchard. Pick some fruit or one of the many famous fruit stalls can be incorporated in this all-day excursion.
During your private helicopter flight, you will gain a bird’s eye view of the sub-regions and how the topography influences the individual vineyards below. An alpine landing adds another perspective of the sub-regions.
With Central Otago being the hottest wine growing region in New Zealand, what better way to travel between vineyards during the day than in an open-top Jeep Wrangler?
The Central Otago Heli Wine Tour package includes:
- Up to 6 Central Otago Vineyard Visits and Wine Tastings
- Private helicopter flight from and to Central Otago vineyards
- Exclusive helicopter alpine landing en route
- Unique Vineyard experiences, Winery lunch and wine tastings
- Chauffeured Open-Top Jeep Wrangler to travel between vineyards during the day
- Transport from and to your accommodation
- Available from Queenstown, Wanaka, Dunedin and Cromwell
Price is based on 4 people, departing from Queenstown
(This is a private charter tour for up to 4 people. We will not mix groups.)
Allow all day – 9.30am – 6pm
Central Otago is truly a World of Difference
Remote: the world’s most southern wine region at 45 S latitude Exclusive…we produce just 1% of the world’s wine.
Authentic: see the vineyards and meet the winemakers
Learn about Central Otago’s Wine Region and Sub-regions:
SAMPLE ITINERARY FROM QUEENSTOWN
Luxury Pick Up
Pick up from your Queenstown accommodation (by private limousine) and driven into the heart of the Gibbston Valley for your first private Central Otago wine tasting experience at Gibbston Valley Wines.
Soar Above the Vineyards & The Southern Alps
From here on, the day just keeps getting better with a private helicopter pickup outside the Cellar Door to be whisked off to the Cromwell – the heart of Central Otago’s wine region via an alpine landing. Stand on the mountain top and take in the magnificent surrounding views of the Southern Alps and Central Otago vineyards.
The Heart of the Desert – Bannockburn
Be dropped off by helicopter at Desert Heart Vineyard to continue your wine connoisseur tour in style – enjoy the gorgeous views across the Kawarau River and into the Kawarau Gorge.
It Is All About the Journey with Our Jeep Wrangler
Travelling around the Cromwell wine region will be fun – in an open top Jeep Wrangler. We are passionate about Central Otago and will showcase the best the region has to offer: The next stop is a sidestep into history with a quick look around an historic gold-mining town before dropping in at Stewart Town Vineyard.
World Class Wine & Porsche Experience
On the way to Misha’s Tasting Room, where you will have lunch, you have the option of experiencing a world-class racetrack up close and personal with a lap around Highlands Motorsport Park in their famous Porsche Cayenne “Taxi” – reach speeds of up to 180kmh!
Real Fruit Ice Cream by the Lake
After Misha’s, we can enjoy a local real fruit ice cream at the shore of Lake Dunstan or do a spot of fruit picking at one of the award-winning local stone fruit orchards.
Exclusivity At It’s Best At The Cloudy Bay Tasting Shed
Your next stop is a private tasting at The Shed at Cloudy Bay – the views across the pond, over the lake and across to the Pisa Range are amazing!
Boutique Wine & Beer Tasting
The last Cromwell Basin stop is at Scott Base Vineyard overlooking the heart of Cromwell from its elevated vantage point. Decided you’ve had enough wine? Scott Base offer a Moa Beer tasting option as well.
The Final Tipple
At the conclusion of your last Cromwell Basin wine tasting, you’re private helicopter will whisk you from Scott Base Vineyard back to the Gibbston for your final tasting at Mt Rosa Wines.
From here, your limousine will drive back to your accommodation, with memories that will last a lifetime!
