About this tour
When Ben from our team booked the Canterbury Winery Heli Lunch, we got a proper taste of North Canterbury's wine country from the air. You fly via helicopter to either Black Estate (organic producer and restaurant across three linked properties) or Greystone Winery (certified organic, four-course paired tasting), taking in views over Christchurch and the surrounding plains. The whole experience runs three hours, landing in a paddock then walking down to the cellar door for lunch and tastings. It's a premium outing that combines the novelty of chopper transport with serious food and wine in a beautiful region.
Highlights
- Helicopter flight delivers sweeping views of Christchurch plains and North Canterbury landscape
- Black Estate spans three organic wineries; Greystone offers structured four-course wine pairing
- Lunch value of $115 per person built into package; no hidden meal costs
- Landing in rural paddock adds genuine adventure—not a polished airfield experience
- Suitable for all fitness levels, though downhill walk to winery is unavoidable
- Smart casual dress code keeps the vibe relaxed despite the luxury angle
- Small-group format typical of helicopter tours—intimate rather than crowded
What to expect
The day starts with a weigh-in (necessary for helicopter safety and weight distribution), then you board a helicopter at a local hub. The flight itself is the star—you'll get genuine aerial views of Christchurch and the rolling Canterbury farmland before touching down in a grass or gravel paddock. From there, it's a walk downhill to your chosen winery. Don't expect manicured grounds; you're landing in working farmland, so uneven terrain and potentially muddy boots are part of the deal.
Once at the winery, lunch and tastings begin. Black Estate feels like a working organic producer with a restaurant attached; Greystone leans toward a more formal tasting-room experience with structured pairings. Either way, the $115 lunch value is substantial and covers most of what you'll eat and drink. The walk back uphill to the helicopter comes at the end, so pace yourself if hills aren't your thing. Weather reconfirmation 24 hours prior is non-negotiable—this is NZ aviation, so cancellations do happen.
What travellers say
- Genuine helicopter experience with real aerial views, not a sightseeing gimmick
- Organic-certified wineries—Black Estate and Greystone both deliver on credentials
- Lunch allowance of $115 removes worry about surprise winery markup costs
- Intimate group format rather than coach-tour crowds
- Landing in working farmland adds character—you're not on a tourist airstrip
- Rough terrain walk to winery unsuitable for poor mobility or formal footwear
- Weather-dependent; 24-hour reconfirmation and cancellation risk is real
- Extra wine or food beyond $115 requires card or cash payment at winery
- Minimum passenger numbers mean your flight can be cancelled short notice
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This hits hard if you want to combine two experiences—scenic aviation and serious wine tasting—without mucking about with multiple bookings. The organic credentials are legit (especially Greystone's BioGro certification), so if that matters to you, you're getting the real thing. The lunch allowance is generous and removes the sting of unexpected winery prices. Infants fly free if they sit on a paying passenger's lap, so families aren't entirely priced out. Small groups mean you're not herded around.
The walk to and from the helicopter over rural terrain is compulsory—if mobility is an issue or you're in dress shoes, this will bug you. Weather is the wild card; you'll confirm 24 hours out, but cancellations still happen (the operator needs minimum passenger numbers, so a quiet booking day might scupper your flight). The landing zone is rough—gravel, grass, potentially mud—so wear decent shoes. If you want extra wine or food beyond the $115 allowance, you'll pay on the spot and need card or cash. You must be 18+ to taste wine and bring ID. The helicopter ride is short but intense; not everyone loves being airborne. Peak season (spring/summer) books fast.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.