New Zealand Regional Wine Tours
3-5 day tours which may be combined
These modules are simply suggestions – should you wish to customize to your own requirements, we are happy to do this for you – perhaps with a city tour module or two. Other wine regions on request.
DAY 1 ARRIVE AUCKLAND
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.
This afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland, featuring views from Mt Eden, the Domain Gardens and Parnell Village, the excellent Maori and Pacific Islands Court at the Museum.
Accommodation: Auckland, 3 nights
DAY 2 WEST AUCKLAND WINERIES (BL)
Breakfast in your hotel
Today, a full day tour of one of New Zealand’s best wine producing regions. Though a lot of the grapes such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc are grown here, local winemakers also import grapes from the Hawkes Bay and Marlborough areas. Most of the vineyards were originally established in this area by European immigrants, including Corbans (1902), Babich (1916), Selaks (1934) and Soljans (1937). Lunch will be at a local café or winery; in the afternoon drive through the beautiful Waitakere Ranges. A winery lunch is included today. You also have a chance to seize the opportunity to claim a golden lady free bonus as a newcomer, catapulting your gaming experience into realms of unprecedented thrill.
DAY 3 WAIHEKE ISLAND WINERIES (BL)
Breakfast in your hotel
This morning, take the ferry across to Waiheke Island, about 35 minutes. You will be met on arrival by your guide. Over the past 20 years, Waiheke Island has become a top producing wine region. Wineries visited will vary but may include Mudbrick, Stoneyridge, Te Whau, Cable Bay and Obsidian. Enjoy a platter lunch at one of the top vineyard restaurants, or you may prefer an a la carte lunch (own expense). After lunch you will be returned to the ferry for the cruise back to Auckland.
DAY 4 DEPART AUCKLAND (B)
Breakfast in your hotel
Private transfer to the airport
DAY 1 ARRIVE NAPIER
On arrival, private transfer to the hotel
Following a devastating earthquake in 1931, the town was rebuilt in the style of the day.
This afternoon, go back in time as you tour this art deco city by vintage car and see some of the best examples of art deco buildings.
Accommodation: Napier, 2 nights
DAY 2 NAPIER WINIERIES (BL)
Breakfast in your hotel
Full day small group tour with lunch by air conditioned, modern vehicle tour of Hawke’s Bay wineries is mixed with stunning views from the top of iconic Te Mata Peak, lunch at a top winery restaurant and a mid-afternoon cheese platter. Visit and taste at 5 – 6 winery cellar doors at a cross-section of ‘household name’ and boutique producers, lunch at a winery restaurant. Taste the local varieties including merlot, syrah, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc and perhaps gewürztraminer and riesling. Relax with a late afternoon cheese platter at one of the wineries.
DAY 3 NAPIER TO MARTINBOROUGH (B)
Breakfast in your hotel
Drive south to Martinborough, perhaps stopping at Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre, then on to the Wairarapa where there are some fine wines being produced, perhaps visiting Palliser Estate and Te Kairanga in Martinborough, known for their pinot noir. Perhaps stop too at Greytown, with its boutiques, art galleries and antique stores. Martinborough has over 20 wineries, many close to the village square, where you can taste some of the region’s top pinot noirs.
Accommodation: Martinborough, 1 night
DAY 4 MARTINBOROUGH TO WELLINGTON (B)
Breakfast in your hotel
Just an hour further south is Wellington. Drive over the Rimutaka Range, then through the Hutt Valley to the nation’s capital city.
Enjoy cafes, restaurants, museums and all kinds of shops. This afternoon, visit the national museum, Te Papa
Accommodation: Wellington, 1 night
DAY 5 DEPART WELLINGTON (B)
Breakfast in your hotel
Private transfer to the airport or ferry terminal
DAY 1 ARRIVE BLENHEIM (L)
By ferry: on arrival, transfer from Picton to Blenheim in the heart of the Marlborough region
By air: on arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: Blenheim, 2 nights
DAY 2 BLENHEIM WINERIES (BL)
Breakfast in your hotel
Full day small group tour with lunch. Indulge your senses with a full day exploring behind the scenes of the world-renowned Marlborough wine region.
Visit a select number of boutique and iconic wineries such as Cloudy Bay, Wither Hills, Highfield Estate and more; taste award-winning Marlborough wines, explore beautiful Marlborough vineyards and enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch.
DAY 3 BLENHEIM TO NELSON (B)
Breakfast in your hotel
Drive to Nelson via the scenic route of Queen Charlotte Sounds. The town is known for its artisan arts and crafts, as well as wineries.
This afternoon, explore the city
Accommodation: Nelson, 2 nights
DAY 4 NELSON WINERIES (BL)
Breakfast in your hotel
Full day small group tour with lunch, visiting wineries on the Waimea Plains and the Moutere Hills. Both regions have a great reputation for the aromatic varieties – riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer, as well as sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir. Stop for a gourmet lunch at a vineyard restaurant.
DAY 5 DEPART NELSON (B)
Breakfast in your hotel
Private transfer to the airport
CENTRAL OTAGO WINERIES
DAY 1 ARRIVE QUEENSTOWN
On arrival, private transfer to hotel
This afternoon, a 3 hour sightseeing of Queenstown. Travel up Queenstown Hill to enjoy the panoramic views, out to the Kawarau Bridge where you can see the daring bungy-jump off the bridge towards the river below. Visit quaint Arrowtown, which was a bustling town in the 1860s gold-rush era.
Accommodation: Queenstown 3 nights
DAY 2 QUEENSTOWN & CROMWELL WINERIES (BL)
Breakfast in your hotel.
Full day small group tour with lunch. Taste premium cool-climate wines in this great pinot noir region, including tasting some cheeses. Visit four vineyards in the Gibbston Valley and the Cromwell/Bannockburn basin regions, with stunning scenery en route. Lunch is included.
DAY 3 MILFORD SOUND EXCURSION (BL)
Breakfast in your hotel
Full day small group tour. Depart on a 2 hour Mitre Peak Cruise (or Nature Cruise) traversing the deep waters of Milford Sound. Travel past St Anne’s lighthouse and out into the Tasman Sea allowing passengers a chance to enter Milford Sound from the outside, approaching it just as the first sealers did at the end of the 18th century. The guide will point out scenic highlights along the way such as the Bowen Falls (dropping 160 meters seaward), snow-capped Mount Pembroke and the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak itself, towering 1692 meters from the ocean floor; fur seals, penguins and dolphins may be encountered. Picnic boxed lunch included. After the cruise travel back to Queenstown by coach, arriving approx. 8.00 pm
DAY 4 DEPART QUEENSTOWN (B)
Breakfast in your hotel
Private transfer to airport