Kinross Harvest Celebration 2025

Celebrate Vintage 2025 with  Central Otago’s Wine loving Community
 
 
Wine Club Members Night

Join us at Kinross for Harvest Celebration 2025 – a relaxed, feel-good evening of live music, great company, delicious snacks and plenty of Central Otago wine to taste, all set amongst the vines as the sun goes down. It’s the perfect chance to bring a couple of friends, catch up with fellow Wine Club members and Kinross regulars, and mingle with some of the winemakers and growers behind your favourite bottles while you hear the stories from the vintage first-hand. Think cosy autumn vibes, a glass in hand, generous platters from the kitchen, firepits glowing and great tunes in the background – an easy, social night where you can slow down and savour the moment. This one is our shout as a heartfelt thank you for your support throughout the year and for being part of the Kinross family. We have only a handful of cottage rooms available if you’d like to make a night of it and wake up in the vines the next morning, so please book quickly by emailing Katie at info@kinross.nz to lock in your stay. To make things even easier, we’ve organised return transport from Queenstown ($35pp return) and Arrowtown ($20pp return), which you can request when you RSVP.

 
 
Gibbston Vineyard Tour Hosted By Queenstown Wine Trail

Step behind the scenes where the magic happens. This is your chance to explore Gibbston like never before, with exclusive access to five vineyard sites that aren’t open to the public- each one a key part of our Kinross wine partners.
Enjoy hosted tastings at:
•    Valli Gibbston
•    High Garden
•    Wild Irishman Three Colleens
•    Hawkshead Reserve
•    Finishing at Kinross Winery
At each stop, you’ll be guided by the winemaker or vineyard owner, diving into the unique terroir, charm and challenges of growing grapes in this rugged alpine landscape. Then, taste the wines right where they’re grown- among the vines themselves.
Included in your ticket price is return transport from Queenstown or Arrowtown and lunch at Kinross. Please wear warm, comfortable footwear- this is a true vineyard experience through working farmland.

 

Pinot Noir Masterclass

Blind taste eight exceptional wines, hosted by our expert panel. Join in on their lively debates, which have made this event so well known!
Sit among growers, winemakers, and industry icons as we blind taste and decode some of the finest Pinot Noirs from New Zealand and beyond.
Whether you're a Pinot enthusiast or simply Pinot-curious, this is your chance to experience the debate, the discoveries, and the unexpected favourites.
This will be in the Kinross Cellar Door. 
Add Ons:
- One-course dinner with a wine match (before the event): $49
- Return transport from Queenstown: $35
- Return transport from Arrowtown: $20

 

 
An Afternoon in Alexandra hosted by Wild Irishman

Join us Saturday, 14th June, 2pm- 5pm for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the Wild Irishman Tūturi Vineyard, in Alexandra.
Hosted by Alan Brady and Brian Shaw, this intimate afternoon includes a guided tour of the Tailings and Clutha blocks, a barrel tasting in the winery, and a relaxed bite to eat.
You’ll also be among the first to taste six new release wines from Wild Irishman 2024 - well before their official release at Kinross in July.
Tickets are $59 per person and are strictly limited to 30 guests.
Please reach out to events@kinross.nz if you require transport.

 WSET Level 1 Hosted by Wine Education Co 

Monday 16th June 2025 | 9:00am–5:00pm | Kinross | $395 
This one-day course is the perfect introduction to wine, designed for anyone wanting to build their knowledge without the pressure of extensive study.
You'll learn the fundamentals of wine production, tasting techniques, classic styles and food pairing, while tasting and evaluating around 10 international and regional wines using the WSET Systematic Tasting Approach.
Ideal for those working in cellar doors, restaurants or the wider hospitality industry- or wine lovers simply wanting to deepen their understanding in a relaxed, vineyard setting.
Spaces are limited - book early to avoid disappointment. 

WSET Level 2 - Hosted by Wine Education Co 

 17–19 June 2025 | 9:00am–5:00pm daily | Kinross | $1395
Deepen your understanding of wine in a world-class setting.
The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines is a globally recognised qualification designed for those with little to no prior knowledge. Over three full days, you'll explore wine styles, grape varieties and winemaking techniques through the tasting of approximately 40 wines from around the world.
Perfect for those working in hospitality, retail or sales—or anyone with a growing passion for wine—this course equips you with the skills to confidently describe, compare, and evaluate wine styles, interpret labels, and offer basic guidance on service and selection.
What you’ll gain:
•    A solid foundation in international and regional wine style
•    Practical tasting skills using the WSET Systematic Tasting Approach
•    Confidence in reading wine labels and understanding key wine terms
•    A recognised WSET Level 2 certification upon successful completion of the multiple-choice exam

 

A Journey through Otago with Valli Wines - Hosted by the Team at Valli 

No need to drive – join us in the Kinross Cellar Door for this 'road trip' around Otago as we explore some of the most iconic sub-regional expressions of Pinot that Valli is world famous for showcasing. Valli lovers, this one is not to be missed!
Explore the distinct character of each sub-region as the team shares deep insights into the terroir, vintage variation and winemaking philosophy behind every glass.
This is a rare opportunity to taste eight Valli’s regional expressions wines side-by-side and to learn directly from the people who know them best.
Event includes:
- Guided tasting of 8x Valli wines from across Otago
- Hosted by the Valli team with expert commentary in the Kinross Cellar Door. 
- Intimate, educational setting with limited seats available
Add Ons:
- One-course dinner with a wine pairing (before the event): $49
- Return transport from Queenstown: $35
- Return transport from Arrowtown: $20
 

 
Guide To The Night Sky - Hosted by Professor Brian Boyle

Join astrophotographer Professor Brian Boyle for a unique evening of sky, science and Central Otago wine.
Begin with a one-course sharing style. Dinner in the bistro with two glasses of wine each. Followed by a one-hour presentation on the night sky. It's a hands-on astrophotography session using just your mobile phone. If the skies are clear, expect to witness a low moon, the rising Milky Way, solar maximum, and potentially even a peak aurora.
Should the weather not cooperate, guests will enjoy an intimate, hosted session inside Brian’s stargazing education station.
Your ticket includes:
- One-hour educational presentation with Brian
- Mobile phone astrophotography lesson
- One course, sharing-style dinner at the Bistro
- Two glasses of wine with your meal
Add-ons:
- Return transport from Queenstown: $35 
- Return transport from Arrowtown: $20