About Us

About Appellation Wine Tours

Appellation Wine Tours was founded by Philip Green and Wendy Johnston in 1999; two New Zealanders with a passion for Central Otago and its wines, and a desire to share that enthusiasm with others.

Appellation’s mission remains to take people far from Queenstown’s adrenalin attractions to the quieter parts of the region. There we can immerse our guests in the culture of fine wine, gorgeous food and stunning alpine scenery, a side of Queenstown that people often miss on a short visit.

In 2005 the company undertook an extensive brand review and changed the trading name to Appellation Wine Tours, reflecting the development and recognition of the Central Otago wine region and the growing popularity of their Queenstown-based wine tours.

Our greatest acknowledgement of success is being the only wine tour company in New Zealand to have been awarded trophies at the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism awards. Appellation Wine Tours was the New Zealand Wine Tourism Services winner in 2011 and 2013 and the International winner in 2012. From 2013, New Zealand was no longer included as a region for these awards.

Since then, we have also been recognised as Leading Operator in Wine Tour Services 2019 by Global Business Insights, Service Excellence 2018 by Luxury Travel Guide, a Gold Level Qualmark status and have consecutive Certificate of Excellence’s on Trip Advisor creating “Hall of Fame” status.