Gibbston Valley

We have all heard of making a mountain out a molehill, but what about making a bike resort out of a rabbit warren?

With the draw of Pat Benatar in town, visitors to Queenstown struggled to find somewhere to stay as the resort enjoyed more guests over the weekend than at New Year.

A new wine-making facility, museum and hotel at Gibbston Valley Station is expected to be opened by the end of next year.

Alan Brady planted the first grapevine on the Gibbston Valley Winery property 31 years ago and says he is as surprised as anyone to see the winery celebrate a 25-year commercial success.

A black tie dinner next month, marking Gibbston Valley Winery's 25th commercial grape harvest, will also mark another milestone - the winery's support of Cure Kids.

The 25th commercial harvest at Gibbston Valley Winery will produce an "outstanding" 2012 vintage, thanks to a "dream run" of summer and autumn weather.