Gibbston Valley Winery launches full-service bike centre

December 23 2014

Gibbston Valley Winery launches full-service bike centre to cater for growing demand

Award-winning Gibbston Valley Winery is adding to the experiences that locals and visitors can enjoy at the winery with the opening of a new on-site bike centre.

Gibbston Valley Winery CEO Greg Hunt said the centre was the next stage in the company’s continued expansion, enabling them to cater to the growing demand for cycling facilities in the region and grow its biking product while also showcasing award-winning wine and food.

“Located across from the beautiful Kawarau River and next to Rabbit Ridge Bike Resort, our new biking centre gives people convenient access to some of the top biking trails in Queenstown and a premium Central Otago wine and food experience,” said Mr Hunt.

“The recent launch of upgrades to the adjacent 8.7km Gibbston River Trail is just in time for summer. It’s a match made in heaven; a great way to spend a day in Central Otago wine country.”

The fully-equipped bike centre, located between the winery restaurant and cheesery, has bike and equipment hire and a shuttle service to adjacent Rabbit Ridge bike trails. A full fleet of full-suspension mountain bikes and hard-tail cross country bikes is available for rent, as well as electric (e-bikes) and ‘fat bikes’ with oversized tyres.

A 22-seater shuttle bus will run trips three times a day during summer to and from the winery (one way or return), picking up guests from Queenstown and Arrowtown before arriving at Gibbston Valley Winery. Tickets for the bus can be bought as ‘transport only’ or as part of a package with bike hire, winery tours and restaurant options, making it a great safe option for tourists and locals.

As well as day and season passes, guests can choose from all-inclusive bike packages that include self-guided bike trips, winery tours and Gibbston Valley Winery dining options. Transport and packages can be booked through visitor centres, concierge services or directly through Gibbston Valley Winery.

“We’ve priced the transport and packages very competitively so that trips to the winery are a very cost effective option for both tourists and locals wanting to have a day riding and tasting wine in Gibbston,” said Mr Hunt.

Arrowtown to Gibbston is also a popular trail option that guests will be able to take advantage of, with Arrowtown drop-off and bike fittings through Outside Sports.

“The official opening of the Gibbston River Trail upgrade and the Gibbston Valley Bike Centre signals that the Gibbston region is now a full-service and high-quality cycle destination, tied into Gibbston Valley Winery’s exceptional wine and food offerings,” said Mr Hunt.

Coaching and bike trail guiding services on Rabbit Ridge trails, as well as retail, basic bike repairs and spare part sales are also available at the new centre.

Now into its second full season, Rabbit Ridge Bike Resort – a joint venture between Gibbston Valley Winery and Around The Mountains and Outside Sports owner John Knight - has also gone from strength to strength in just 18 months.

Rabbit Ridge offers more than 40km of trails suitable for riders of all ages and abilities, which Mr Knight said had been further developed over winter.

“We’ve worked hard to expand the offering to include an additional easy grade one trail from Gibbston Valley Winery, past Toms Creek, towards the Gibbston Valley Winery Glenlee Vineyards, and crossing the highway at Resta Rd before linking back up with the existing and newly upgraded Gibbston River Trail,” he said.

“The new trail further connects cyclists to the Rabbit Ridge trails which gives riders a fantastic return trail to the winery.”

Mr Knight said trails at Rabbit Ridge had been designed to suit all levels of riders with smooth flowing berms, technical single tracks and family specific areas.

“Every level of rider will find a favourite trail at Rabbit Ridge,” he said.

In a new event for Gibbston Valley Bike Centre, Specialized Bikes will be holding a special one-off ‘Test the Best’ day where riders can come and test the latest and best new bikes. This high profile event will be on January 11 2015, a great chance for locals and visitors to trial bikes across Gibbston Valley Winery, Rabbit Ridge and the Gibbston River Trail.

About Gibbston Valley Winery
Established by wine pioneer Alan Brady, award-winning Gibbston Valley Winery is considered the most influential in Central Otago. Gibbston Valley released the region’s first commercial vintage in 1987. Today the winery, cave, cellar door and restaurant are New Zealand’s most-visited wine destination.

As the region’s leading winery, Gibbston Valley continues to push the boundaries when it comes to both producing award-winning varietals and adding to the unique experience it offers to locals and visitors from around the world.

Gibbston Valley is home to a gourmet restaurant and New Zealand’s largest wine cave, available for wine tours, private functions, weddings and special occasions. In June 2013, the winery opened A Taste of Gibbston Valley on the main street of historic Arrowtown. Each year it hosts Queenstown’s largest music event at their outdoor concert space located next to the winery.

In August 2013, Gibbston Valley Winery launched Rabbit Ridge Bike Resort, a joint venture between the winery and Around the Mountains owner John Knight.

For more information please visit www.gibbstonvalley.com

ENDS

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