Gourmet Wine & Food Tour NZ
10 Days & Nights Wine & Food Experience Throughout Beautiful New Zealand
Start Auckland / finish Christchurch.
Visit: Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Martinborough, Wellington, Blenheim, Kaikoura and Christchurch
Discover the scenic highlights of New Zealand while experiencing some of our most popular wine locations and indulging in our kiwi gourmet food culture.
What’s included:
5 star boutique accommodations at each overnight location
3 gourmet dinners
2 vineyard lunches at award winning restaurants
Most breakfasts
Enjoy a guided Maori cultural tour of a local village
Visit a geothermal wonderland in Rotorua
Art Deco guided walking tour of Napier
Self-guided cycling wine and food tour in Martinborough
Guided tour of Wellington city highlights
Cruise the Marlborough Sounds tasting fresh Green-lipped Mussels and local wine
Cheese making lesson at an award winning boutique cheesery
Wine tour of the Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough’s finest wineries
Whale watching cruise in Kaikoura
Driver/guide for the duration of the tour
Day 1: Auckland City Highlights
At your arrival at Auckland airport, you will be transferred to your central city accommodation before a scenic tour of Auckland city highlights including the beautiful Mission Bay and Mount Eden encompassing 360 degree views of the city and harbour. Evening free to explore the vibrant downtown and marina areas.
Tour inclusions: Airport transfers and city tour
Accommodation: Central Auckland boutique premium hotel
Day 2: Auckland to Rotorua
Depart the bustle of Auckland city and travel south through rolling farmland to the geothermal and Maori cultural centre of Rotorua. You will be taken on a guided tour of a historical Maori village and geothermal area, experience the culture and history of a local tribe living amongst a very unique location.
Later in the afternoon relax and explore Rotorua set on the shores of Lake Rotorua and wander the beautiful Government gardens, museum or just relax poolside at your boutique hotel.
Tour Inclusions: Guided tour of Maori village
Accommodation: 5 star boutique hotel
Day 3: Rotorua to Napier
Depart your hotel this morning to the geothermal wonderland of Wai-o-tapu. This means sacred waters in Maori and contains a spectacular display of colours, sounds and landscapes. Continuing to Taupo set on the beautiful Lake Taupo, here we stop in for supplies at one of New Zealand’s most popular wine cellars and enjoy lunch (optional extra) at the cafe which looks out over the sparkling lake.
Early afternoon we continue over the mountain range to Napier City, inspired by the Art-deco architecture of the 1930’s this city by the sea was rebuilt in this style following a large earthquake which destroyed the city in 1931. You will be met by a local historical guide who will take you on a short but fascinating walking tour of Napier and its Art-deco heritage.
This evening you will enjoy a wonderful dinner prepared by the chefs at very popular local restaurant, highlighting local fresh produce and sea fare.
Tour Inclusions: Breakfast, entry to geothermal park, walking tour of Napier city and gourmet dinner.
Accommodation: 5 star boutique hotel
Day 4: Napier & Hawke’s Bay Wine Tour
After a leisurely morning we will depart for the wine growing heart of the Hawke’s Bay. We will begin with a visit to Trinity Hill winery in the heart of the famous Gimblett gravels wine district before taking a tour and tasting at the Craggy Range winery. Here we will indulge in a extended lunch at their award winning Terroir restaurant. Following this delicious meal we will explore the heights of Te Mata peak with spectacular views of the entire region before finishing the afternoon with a visit to a small but highly regarded, Unison vineyard & winery.
Evening free to enjoy a stroll by the beach and selection of great restaurants.
Tour inclusions: Guided wine tour, vineyard lunch, wine tastings
Accommodation: 5 star boutique hotel
Day 5: Napier to Martinborough
Today travel south through rolling hills, country towns, sheep and dairy farms to the wine growing town of Martinborough. Vineyards founded here in the 1970’s have developed into world class Pinot Noir producers. This afternoon you will embark on a self guided cycling tour of this beautiful wine region, enjoy an afternoon of leisurely cycling on top quality bikes, wine tasting, a gourmet picnic lunch and sampling local olive oils.
This evening at your country boutique accommodation you will enjoy a delicious 3 course evening dinner with matching wines.
Tour inclusions: self-guided cycling wine tour including picnic lunch, 3 course dinner with matching wines
Accommodation: 5 star country cottage next to a vineyard
Day 6: Martinborough to Wellington city
After a leisurly breakfast we continue south over the Rimutaka range into Wellington city the capital of New Zealand. Overlooking the harbour, Wellington has a number of historic parliment buildings, vibrant shopping and the very popular contemporary museum Te Papa. You will experience all this and more in a afternoon with Wellingtons most popular walking tour guide.
Your evening is free to enjoy one of the many waterfront restaurants and ongoing entertainment that frequents this city.
Tour inclusions: Breakfast, walking tour of Wellington city
Accommodation: 5 star hotel in the heart of Wellington city
Day 7: Wellington to Marlborough & Blenheim
This morning we will depart on the ferry across Cook Strait to the South Island. Cruising through the Marlborough Sounds this ferry takes us into the port town of Picton. From here we will continue via remote bush clad roads and sparkling inlets to Sherrington Grange for our afternoon cheese making session. Discover the delights and ease of making Ricotta and other soft cheeses from the young but highly awarded cheese maker Lisa. Enjoy a light lunch including her prize cheeses and local produce.
Mid afternoon continue the short distance to the town of Blenheim and New Zealand’s largest wine growing region. The entire Marlborough region contains more than 22,000 hectares of vines, 70% of which is Sauvignon Blanc.
Tour inclusions: Breakfast, ferry crossing, cheese making and light lunch
Accommodation: Premium boutique hotel
Day 8: Blenheim Wine tasting & Marlborough Sounds
This morning we will tour 2 iconic wineries of this region, beginning with a tour of the oldest winery and vineyard of the region at Auntsfield estate followed by wine tastings at the biodynamic vineyards of Seresin.
Continuing north to the town of Havelock we will enjoy a waterside lunch at a small but popular restaurant before boarding our cruise boat to explore the Pelorous and Kenupuru Sounds. Visiting a Greenshell mussel farm our boat master will explain the life cycle of these tasty shellfish before we all enjoy an abundance of them freshly steamed and paired with a glass of cool Sauvignon Blanc. Delicious!
Tour inclusions: Breakfast, tour of vineyard, wine tastings, lunch and Mussel farm cruise
Accommodation: Premium boutique hotel
Day 9: Blenheim to Kaikoura
Today we explore the southern coastal highway to Kaikoura. View New Zealand fur seals up close lazing on the rocks, seabirds, seafood cafes and rocky coastal shores. Arriving in Kaikoura there is time for lunch (optional extra), souvenier shopping, and find authentic Pounamu greenstone from a local carver. Early afternoon board your sea cruise boat to find Giant Sperm whales that inhabit a deep channel off the shores of Kaikoura and other marine mammals such as dolphins and Orca playing nearby.
This evening indulge in a three course dinner with matching wines at a popular local restaurant.
Tour inclusions: Breakfast, Whale watching cruise
Accommodation: Premium apartment located near the beach
Day 10: Kaikoura to Christchurch
This morning we depart south through rolling farmland to the wine growing region of Waipara, here we will visit two wineries in a region that is known for its cool climate Riesling and Pinot Noir. Enjoy a superb lunch at the award winning Pegasus Bay winery before continuing to largest city in the South Island, Christchurch. On arrival we will take a tour of the city highlights before taking you to your accommodation for the evening, and this is where our gourmet food and wine tour is completed.
Tour inclusions: Breakfast, wine tastings and vineyard lunch
Accommodation: Boutique hotel or B&B
Tours run throughout the year for groups of 2 or more people.
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