Luxury Adventures are doing a series of interviews with some of our key suppliers. We’re looking at the different aspects of their lives and how these influence the experiences they offer. Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa is a new luxury lodge located just outside of Queenstown in New Zealand.

Can you tell us about the rooms at Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa?

24 private villas feature views over organic vineyards, out towards the mountains of Gibbston. The spacious and luxurious indoor living areas open onto a secluded, covered deck and courtyard. The large bathrooms have a walk-in shower, separate bath and dual basins. As well as premium, locally made beauty products. All villas have temperature control technology so you’ll be warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Each luxury villa sleeps two and has a 1 king bed or 2 twin beds. Modern décor, local artwork, a fireplace, high-speed WiFi, complimentary bike use and a selection of Gibbston Valley wines personalized to individual preference.

Colour schemes and artworks vary from villa to villa. Symbolically reflecting the location of our different vineyards. Adjoining rooms are optional for groups travelling together.

Only a handful of lodges have a dedicated spa onsite, tell us what’s special about yours?

Our experienced therapists will offer a range of treatments. But our speciality will be vinotherapy – face and body therapies using different parts of the grape and vine to benefit the skin.

Unmitigated wine immersion is central to what we want guests to encounter at the Lodge & Spa. A weekend full of unique, indulgent, and engaging experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in Queenstown. So quite naturally incorporating wine elements into our spa treatments is the perfect concept, and enables us to offer guests a chance to embrace the winery and spa experience in a very special way.

Vinotherapy treatments include Theravine and Aromavine

Vinotherapy treatments will include the TheraVine™ Luxurious Pinotage & Lime Salt Scrub. A full-body exfoliation that harnesses grape extracts, mineral salts and a citrus infusion to reveal silky, rejuvenated skin, and the Aromavine™ Uplifting Massage where a 100% natural blend of grapeseed, clary sage, rose and jasmine oils will leave guests feeling equal parts relaxed and invigorated.

Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa signature treatments include a pampering massage using locally sourced Greenstone and Quartz. A Mud-Detox wrap where warm clay is applied in a full body envelope to draw out toxins, or a variety of tailored packages for individual or couple indulgences.

Open air hot tubs are nestled into the hills behind the lodge

For total relaxation, guests can immerse themselves in one of two open-air hot tubs nestled into the hillside behind the Spa. Offering an outdoor bathing experience with uninterrupted views of Central Otago’s ruggedly charismatic landscape.

Those who like to ‘sweat it out’ will enjoy the onsite sauna and intimate yet well-appointed gym inside the spa building. Equipped with state-of cardio machines, free weights and a private all-hours access the gym provides a secure and tranquil place for guests to workout.

When we spoke recently you mentioned a focus on sustainability and a desire to be circular in your business approach. Can you elaborate?

Set within our BioGro certified organic vineyard and winery, Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa is equally committed to high standards of sustainability practice. We advocate waste minimisation throughout our operations.

Our sustainability practices cover everything from in-room recycling bins to refillable glass milk bottles and breakfast spreads served in ramekins and refillable jars. Villa bathrooms will have bamboo toothbrushes, and still and sparkling water will be ‘on tap’ in the Lodge with reusable bottles supplied.

Nitty-gritty detail extends to even the smallest supplies. Guests won’t find straws, sugar packets, tea bags or individually-wrapped mints anywhere.

Some of the sustainability practices include refillable glass bottles along with bottles made from plants

Support for the local artisan economy comes from using the Queenstown Soap Company for in-room soaps, and liquid soaps and lotions are from Healthpak’s Forest and Bird range. Where a percentage of profits go to conservation group Forest and Bird.

Pillows, mattress toppers and duvets made with recycled plastic come from Kiwi company Vendella, which plants thousands of native trees throughout the country each year.

EcoWise environmentally conscious cleaning products will do all the dirty work required. While NZ social enterprise company For The Better Good provides bottles made from plants and plants native seedlings for each villa room turnover.

A new fruit orchard has been planted where fig and feijoa trees will thrive alongside a new berry grove.

Also forging ahead with a range of sustainability initiatives is our Executive Chef Anthony Gradiska and his team. They already raise their own seeds in an onsite glasshouse and have established gardens near the winery kitchen. But are now taking sustainable luxury New Zealand accommodation to the next level – even going as far as constructing garden terraces themselves from recycled pallets.

A new fruit orchard has been planted in a sheltered spot renowned for its microclimate, where fig and feijoa trees will thrive alongside a new berry grove.

Watercress will grow in waterways running between Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spas 24 guest villas. Composting, developing worm farms and giving waste products to the farmer next door for his pigs have become part-and-parcel of how the kitchen team operates.

Tell us about your chef, restaurant and approach to food at Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa? 

The Lodge Restaurant offers an a la carte menu, designed by Executive Chef, Anthony Gradiska. Using organic and sustainably produced ingredients, grown in the Chef’s Garden or carefully selected from local artisan suppliers.

The menu has been designed to pair perfectly with award-winning, handcrafted Gibbston Valley Wines. We will have options to suit all dietary requirements.

What must do activities would you recommend in the Queenstown region for people with 3 days to explore?

There are many unique activities that take place on the Gibbston Valley property. We would definitely recommend that guests treat themselves to the best wine activity in Queenstown (if we do say so ourselves!) – The Essential Winery Experience.

The half-day educational experience is exclusive to Lodge guests. This experience winds through the working core of Gibbston Valley for a behind-the-scenes view of its operation.

The Essential Winery Experience is highly recommended!

Guests then enjoy an entertaining cinema experience with the showing of Bud to Bottle. A short film of the winegrowing process – in the Lodge’s private wine education theatre.

The film is followed by a tasting session of Gibbston Valley’s premium and Single Vineyard releases, led by an experienced winemaker.

The experience ends as it should, with food, wine and conversation at the at the Lodge Restaurant. Executive Chef Anthony Gradiska and his team will delight in preparing a convivial lunch featuring seasonal produce from the winery’s organic gardens, expertly paired with wines.

Gibbston Valley Lodge features organic gardens and a BioGro certified organic vineyard

Gibbston Valley is also the perfect base for cycling wine tours. The on-site Bike Centre has hard tail and e-bikes for exploring the Queenstown Cycle Trail, which runs right through the property and alongside the Kawarau River.

Ride a return loop from the Lodge & Spa to five neighbouring vineyards on a river trail that showcases the best of Queenstown wine country. Or take one of the Lodge’s complimentary shuttles into Arrowtown for a one-way 16km trail ride back to Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa. Passing over the historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge, through Kawarau Gorge and into the ‘Valley of the Vines’ for the ultimate wine region day trip.

Explore Gibbston Valleys vineyards by bike

Riders have the option to add a special picnic with everything they need, from the hamper and rug, to the perfect bottle of Central Otago wine.

The Lodge Concierge will be available to advise guests on additional customised experiences, such as a guided helicopter trip to understand the ‘ins and outs’ of making Gibbston Valley wines from above. The helicopter experience will stop at all the Wineries major vineyards. As well as a few additional spots in order catch some spectacular views. Offsite picks might be a heli trip to Milford Sound or Walter Peak!

Zelia is the marketing manager at Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa. You can read more about them here.

Luxury Adventures – Tailoring luxury travel in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific Islands since 1999.