Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa

Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa opened its luxurious doors back in December 2019 and it was a delight to hop, skip and jump out there to nestle into some lovely spa and lodge time this Winter.

Gibbston Valley has cemented itself as a prime wine tasting destination since the first commercial vintage in 1987.
1990 saw Alan Brady established Gibbston Valley Wines and since then people have flocked to experience wine cave, restaurant and tastings.

Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa

Twenty four beautiful luxury villas and premium spa set right in the mountains for a weekend of wine tasting, eating, relaxing, spa-ing. A mere thirty minute drive from Queenstown Central and you’re right in the middle of wine country. A sweeping drive leads up to the lodges and everything you could ever need is catered for.

From the minute you enter your lodge, the fire is on and the huge bath is calling, you can’t help but sink into the slower way of life for a while.

I had the pleasure of biking and wine tasting a few years ago and this new beautiful offering from Gibbston Valley solidifies them in ‘how to do luxury’.

And they do it so well.

Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa

Every guest who stays at the lodge is invited to evening wine tastings and info session from one of the master storytellers who are on site. Sample the wine and then get to taste from the menu created and presented by head chef Anthony Gradiska.

Settle into total comfort around the huge circular fireplace and read a book or three as you forget the rest of the world for a bit (lovely library to borrow from). I had the opportunity to be toddler-free for the night and I may or may not (I did) have two baths during my stay.

Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and SpaGibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa

Suites are beautifully designed and I felt like I was deep in a lovely forest with all the woody greens and subtle browns. A ginormous bath and double sink (so any annoying partners don’t get your share of the mirror) and lovely little touches like Forest and Bird products, a stocked wine fridge with wine glasses, cheese board and cheeses. Leather bound cases to hold remote controls, alarm clocks that charge your phone, huge fluffy towels and dressing gowns.

And not even a stones throw (I’ll bet I could) to the spa.

Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa

After being settled into my lodge I meandered over to the new cheesery which was STACKED with all the flavours and tastes for the cheese lover (or newbie). You can choose your menu to fit the wine (whether you have a strong palette or love the creamy ones) alongside all the pinot, chardonnay and gris that you can manage.

After that I wandered back to the main area to curl up by the fire to sample their wine tasting (at 5.30pm every night for all guests) and hear about not only the flavours but the unbelievable history of Gibbston.

There’s real magic in those hills.

Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa

Dinner booked we sat and tried some bubbles to start with alongside a menu curated around the season. Warming dishes of meats and pastas. Oysters and vegetables. Chardonnay was then the drink of choice.

I then sank into the bath (again) with a lovely little pinot and my book and I slept the sleep of queens to awake to a chilly morning deep in the valley.

It was then over to the spa where I was treated to a facial and massage. They have thought of everything for a spa experience (and you know me by now, I’ve trialed a few).
Towels, places to hang your stuff, putting your slippers on while you’re still laid down after your massage. Tucking your towel into the nape of your neck as you lay there for your facial and a glass of bubbles to await you after you’ve finished and you fall into a heap on the huge sofas. Magazines a plenty. View.

Sauna and spa also alongside.

I told you. Heaven.

Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa

The team at Gibbston Valley have created an absolutely magical experience that all can be part of.
Want to add a little wine cave tour? They’ve got it there. A little bike ride on the awesome trails before your cheese tasting? They will bring you one up.
Feel like you want to get away for the weekend but don’t want to travel far? This place is absolutely perfect for the local Queenstown dweller or those who have just come for a few days with their girlfriends, grandma or partner of 50 years.

Just totally and utterly Gibbston.

Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa
1820 State Highway 6
Queenstown
NZ

Instagram
Facebook 


I wasn’t paid to write this piece, I did head over there to stay and then said I would write about it as I like to support good folk. And I thought you would too.