Gibbston Valley Winery Review

While in Queenstown, New Zealand, I decided to enjoy a day of sipping wine with the Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours. Gibbston Valley Winery was recommended as a great place to stop for lunch. So after a fun day of tasting, it was time to eat and of course drink some more wine and do a Gibbston Valley Winery review. The property was beautiful. The Central Otago winery restaurant had a friendly ambiance with a lovely dining room.

Gibbston Valley Winery Review

Queenstown Wine Tours — *Gibbston Valley Winery; photo by Kathy Leonardo*

I asked my server to bring me an appetizer first, prior to my tasting. Having enjoyed quite a few tastings, I wanted to eat something to soak up the wine. I chose the Stewart Island Gin Cured Salmon (fennel, apple, horseradish cream). This was so tasty and fresh. Topped with a bit of fresh dill that mingled with the salmon, and luscious horseradish cream, it brought the dish together.

Gibbston Valley Winery Restaurant — *Stewart Island Gin Cured Salmon; photo by Kathy Leonardo*

Once my appetizer came out, it was joined with a Le Maitre Riesling 2018 Central Otago New Zealand. Dark Berry immediately introduced itself, the savory red had notes of vanilla, as well as a tinge of citrus. It also included a long finish.

The Wine

Then the Le Maitre Pinot Noir 2015 Central Otago New Zealand also made quite an impression on me. The multi-layered red featured deep cherry with oak, with the faint flavor of cocoa.

My entree, the South Island Bouillabaisse, (Cloudy Bay clams, Mills Bay green lip mussels, line caught market fish – snapper, fennel, lemon rouille, grilled sourdough) soon arrived at the table. This was incredibly tasty. Swaddled in a warm creamy bath of delicious broth, the clams and mussels were the perfect star of this entree. The snapper was delicate and absorbed the flavor of the mesmerizing bouillabaisse. I also adored the crispy grilled sour dough bread. One dip of both the scrumptious lemon rouille, and the bouillabaisse made for a sensory overload…so good.

Next the Gibbston Valley School House Pinot Noir 2021 arrived. The wine really brought it home for me. It offered a dark berry fruit bomb, with hints of both chocolate and licorice. What a wonderful meal. When you are visiting Queenstown New Zealand, be sure to dine at the Gibbston Valley Winery Restaurant, 1820 State Highway 6, Queenstown 9371, New Zealand.

Alas it was time to hop back on the Hop On Hop Off Wine tour bus. I had an amazing day. Time to meet up with my husband and find out about his adventures. CLICK HERE to read my review of the Hop On Hop Off Wine Tour.

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