There are several plans to raise the money but the one circled in the Gibbston Valley calendar is a charity auction offering special and unusual items - such as a chance to play a round of golf with Greg Turner before he has built the course and to buy bottles of a limited edition Gibbston-grown pinot noir wine before it is out of the barrel.
Asssociation chairwoman Susan Stevens said private donations over the past three weeks had reduced the total by nearly $20,000.
However, it is critical to raise the rest of the money so work could start on the trail to have it open by summer.
The problem has been that while the GCA has found most of the $1.4 million needed through various grants, the money cannot be used until the whole amount is secured.
There are also time limits - if the money has not been found by the end of September - some of the grants start to expire.
To raise the cash, a "Party with Us and You'll Want to Come Bacchus" themed auction will be held at Millbrook Resort on September 11.
One of the items epitomises Gibbston's spirit of co-operation, with the area's vineyards contributing 25 litres of their best 2009 vintage pinot noir to create a truly rare wine which will encapsulate the "ballerina component" which distinguishes the region, Peregrine marketing director Greg Hay said.
They were all keen to show their support for the trail project.
"We recognise . . . the flow-on effects of tourism," he said.
"These people . . . will see the benefits of tourist coming here for the [wine] labels of the area."
Another prized item will be an opportunity to play the new Gibbston Valley Station golf course before it is built with course designer Greg Turner.
He will guide keen golfers around the property playing from the designated tee locations pointing out the area's historic gold field and natural features - as well as an giving an insight into what the designers have planned and what the course will eventually be like.
Word has already spread around the country.
Ms Stevens said there had been requests for phone bidding on the wine from people who cannot come down from Auckland.
Another fundraising venture involving sponsorship of benches or picnic tables along the trail will be detailed to Destination Queenstown and Queenstown Chamber of Commerce members this week, Ms Stevens said.
Anyone wishing to make a donation or find out more about the auction can contact Susan Stevens on (03) 442-8919.
