Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door (solo trip)
How Solo-Friendly is Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door?
What makes it 83% Solo-Friendly: A solo adult can walk in for affordable tastings, explore the vineyard grounds and buy wine; seating is flexible and visits only take 1–2 h, so it scores high for independent travellers.
Positives:
- Organic estate wines: All wines come from a single sustainably farmed vineyard
- Peaceful lakeside setting: The terrace overlooks Lake Hayes for quiet reflection
Challenges:
- Weekend crowding: Bar seats fill up quickly on weekends—arrive early or book
- Age restriction: Tastings and cellar tours require guests to be over 18
What is Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door?
- A lakeside restaurant and cellar door set on the shores of Lake Hayes as the hospitality arm of Amisfield’s single-estate organic vineyard in Central Otago.
- A 200-hectare wine estate with over 80 hectares of sustainably farmed vines, specializing in low-yield, high-concentration Pinot Noir alongside select aromatic white varieties.
- A purpose-built schist-clad building that houses both a contemporary restaurant space and a cellar door directly linked to on-site production facilities.
What is so special about Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door for solo trip?
- Taste six estate-grown organic wines at your own pace
- Explore the schist cellar door and browse local products
- Enjoy casual Central Otago dishes on the Gallery menu
- Experience a sustainable vineyard by Lake Hayes
- Ideal for solo travelers who appreciate quiet tastings
Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours
Why 1-2 hours visit duration is ideal for solo trip: Enough time for a tasting flight, a browse of the cellar door and a casual lunch
Solo-Friendly Activities in Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door
Standard Wine Tasting:
Sample six of Amisfield’s organic wines at the indoor bar or courtyard.
Tip: Walk in if fewer than seven people or email ahead to secure a spot
Self-guided Cellar Door Visit:
Wander the vineyard grounds, admire the schist building and browse the wine shop.
Tip: No entry fee; arrive early (10 am) to avoid afternoon crowds
À la carte Gallery Menu:
Order casual small plates highlighting Central Otago produce.
Tip: Check the menu online and arrive before 2 pm for full options
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door
- Morning arrival: Get there at opening (10 am) to enjoy an uncrowded tasting
- Combine with Lake Hayes walk: Do a quick lakeside stroll before or after tasting for a fuller visit
Reviews of Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door
Eatin' with Timmy
Classic Central Otago winery, with some interesting dishes. Amisfield cleverly mixes some Kiwi classics with modern cookery techniques to provide an lunch worth a journey. Food was well complimented with their wines and some international options by the bottle. Would have been nice to have a few more by the glass. A la carte menu was good value, degustation much more pricey so we gave it a miss.
B. R.
3.5 STARS My friends and I went. We didnt book the full dining experience, just wanted to check it out. The place felt somewhere in the middle, it was neither great or bad. It was somewhere in the middle. Maybe that was the intention of the designers to make it all about the wine and food (?) We only had some glasses of wine and cheeses. The wines were OK, the cheese and how the server presente...
Bronz
Finally got to go to Amisfield, my pockets weren't deep enough to dine so had to suffice with a wine and cheese board. It was a windy day so sat inside by the fire. Lovely ambience inside but what I enjoyed most was watching all the food that came out. Honestly couldn't tell what some things were the presentation was amazing. Our cheese board was nice and great to get a decent amount of crackers. ...
Massimo Attinà
Amisfield was a big disappointment, I would strongly NOT recommend this place. We did the 18 course fixed menu for 220 euros (440 nz$). We have been to several Michelin star restaurants all over the world, so we weren’t scared of the price, but this has been the worst way to spend our money in a restaurant ever. We ranked individually all 18 courses, the average is 2/5 for the dishes. Special men...
Michael Jones
I finally completed my third visit to Amisfield and I had a positively raucous time. The matched wine was a great choice and when paired with a couple of cocktail starters kept us in fine spirits throughout the meal. The food itself was simply superb, standouts were the venison, the pāua and the eel dish. The chef came out and had a friendly chat during meal and then prepared an impromptu and comp...
When is the best time to visit Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door (Queenstown, New Zealand)?
Visit in late summer (Feb–Mar) to watch harvest activities and taste young barrel samples. In winter (Jun–Aug), book an indoor tasting to stay warm.
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Typical Budget for Solo Traveler (1 Adult)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Standard wine tasting | NZD 35 |
| Gallery menu lunch | NZD 45 |
| Total Estimated | NZD 80 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
Map of Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door
Address: 10 Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road, Frankton, Queenstown 9371, New Zealand
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About Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
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