Explore Cellar Door & Winery Restaurant with Heli Wine Flights

Heli Tours explores beautiful Central Otago and gives a bird’s eye view of many of the region’s wineries and vineyards before landing at Mt Difficulty Restaurant & Cellar Door to let tourists enjoy a wine tasting and a gourmet lunch.

Heli Tours is the only private and locally-owned helicopter company flying from the resort town, owned and operated by proud South Islanders Paul and Katherine Mitchell. The company has recently been recognised as one of the highest-quality, safe and sustainable tourism businesses in the country. They have earned the prestigious Qualmark Silver Award on their first application.

Tourists can enjoy a scenic flight over the Gibbston Valley as they make their way from Queenstown towards Cromwell and Bannockburn to Mt Difficulty Winery. The tour includes wine tasting and three-course lunch.  After lunch Heli Tours will return tourists back to Queenstown.

The Cellar Door at Mt Difficulty showcases its wines to thousands of visitors annually. It's the perfect spot to experience Mt Difficulty's unique hospitality while taking in the magical views of Bannockburn's dramatic rugged rock and thyme landscape.

The venue sits high above the winery on Felton Road, perched on a rocky outcrop looking across the Cromwell basin to Lake Dunstan. The contemporary building was first opened in February 2003, with the wine tasting counter and restaurant sharing the space inside. In 2011 the decision was made to create a separate wine tasting area to improve the experience of both wine enthusiasts and diners. The new Cellar Door extension opened in May 2012.

Passionate staff cater to all tastes and level of wine experience, offering a full range of Mt Difficulty and Roaring Meg wines. All wines are available for purchase, with national and international wine delivery options.  

The Winery Restaurant at Mt Difficulty provides a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy a delicious lunch. The kitchen is open, which offers a unique insight to a chef's world.

On a fine day the outdoor terrace is the perfect spot to take in the flavours of the region while enjoying the uniquely Central Otago views. During winter the view can be enjoyed from behind glass, with fireplaces providing warmth and ambience.

The chef produces imaginative cuisine, and the menu showcases the freshest of produce, with a choice of substantial fare or platters to share. All main meal options come with suggested wine matches, though diners are welcome to make their own choices at our wine tasting counter.

Heli Tours flights to Mt Difficulty have got great reviews. “Most excellent few hours out, flying over beautiful Otago scenery on a fantastic cloudless sunny day. Superb flight to Mount Difficulty Vineyard and the table for lunch already reserved for my new wife and I. Nobody knew Maria and I were on our honeymoon.  Top quality food and wine in gorgeous surroundings and, allowed to enjoy these in complete relaxation with no being pushed to hurry up. Paul and Katherine were the perfect hosts and a delight to acquaint,” said a reviewer on Trip Advisor.

For more information on Queenstown Remarkables, Queenstown to Milford Sound tours, heli ski Queenstown, heli tours Queenstown, visit http://www.helitours.co.nz or call 0800 HeliTours (0800 435 486)