Amisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerCall me stupid but I have lived down the road from Amisfield for a few years now and it’s never crossed my mind that it’s a fabulous dinner- dining location.
Situated on the way to Arrowtown or to Queenstown from Central Otago it’s one of the most stunning locations for eating your way through the freshest of fresh produce and quaffing down a glass or two of their award winning wines.

I’ve visited Amisfield many many times for lunch but on this occasion I was invited to try out their ‘Trust the Chef’ dinner menu and it did not disappoint. (Did you drool at my Instagram stories?)

Chef Vaughan Mabee and his team are absolute legends. I have no idea what they’re going to come up with next because this was next level.

Amisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield is home to some of the worlds most amazing wines and their cellar door is a must do on your Queenstown itinerary. The food. Well well well. The food should not be missed if you’re planning to stick around this area a while.

We were seated right by the beautiful patio so we could gaze out to the vines, the delicious greenest of green grass, the tractor (an Instagram feature in it’s own right), Lake Hayes and the beautiful rock sculptures that reside on the grounds. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast as I wanted the full effect and not have to skulk off without having Every. Last. Morsel.

Amisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerNow just to be clear, this is home to some of the most beautiful ingredients, many of which are locally sourced, all put together as if there’s a magician at work. Sculpted, designed, conjugated on your plate into some of the most ingenious tastes and plates I’ve ever eaten.

Hidden truffles in edible soil. Paua neatly stacked into a crumbly little pie. Warmed breads with three different types of butter. Otago Hare folded and nestled in a little forest (yes forest) for you to find like Hansel and Gretel.

Koura (little crayfish) settled on a bed of ice, Bluff oysters ready and waiting as though just plucked from the seabed. Beef sirloin with the crack of truffle and mushroom.

Amisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerWe were never sure what would come through the door next. The wait staff looked at our faces with glee as we “oohed and ahhhhed” over every new dish that was delivered with flourish to the table.

To cleanse the palate a little snowberry parfait and then the lightest of light Cromwell peach souffle with horipito. I failed at making souffle at school. This was not like mine. This was perfection.

Amisfield for DinnerAmisfield for DinnerAmisfield is such a treat to visit. The landscape, the light softening over the hills, the wine and the food. All wrapped up neatly in a beautiful bow by the staff who are there to answer any questions at will; “can Chef Vaughan move into my house?”, “do some people eat the bark in the forest by mistake?”.

Amisfield it was a delight, a magical experience I won’t forget in a long time.

Amisfield
10 Lake Hayes Road
RD1, Queenstown
03 442 0556


I was invited to dine with Amisfield but as always if I didn’t like it I wouldn’t write about it.