Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Napier (Hawke's Bay), VIP Wine Tour. We start the day with a drive to the top of Te Mata Peak, taking in panoramic views of Hawke's Bay. Mid morning we visit the Craggy Range winery for a tour of their winery and a barrel tasting. The Craggy Range philosophy is to select and source the very best vineyards in the country, plant them with only the vines that are perfectly suited to that territory and then bottle them all as single estate wines. We visit Brookfield's, a leading winery making premium wines. The Brookfield's wine making philosophy is to make fruit-driven wines that are enjoyable in their youth, go well with food and for those that can resist temptation, wines that respond well to cellaring. This winery is renowned for aromatic wines as well as full bodied Bordeaux blends and a hillside Syrah.
Midday we travel back out to the Gimblet Gravels and the Western Plains and dine at the Te Awa` Winery and Restaurant. Cousins Alwyn and Brian continue a 100 year heritage and craft of the Corban family of wine makers at Ngatarawa in Hawke's Bay. Meet owner/wine maker Alwyn Corban and wine maker Peter Gough and enjoy the Ngatarawa wine makers reserve and Glazebrook range of wines. Discover the secrets of the Gimblet Gravels with John and Rosemary O'Connor owners of the Matariki Winery home of gold medal winning wines such as Matariki Quintology a blend of five varietals. Finally we visit Trinity Hill famous for Chardonnay and Bordeaux blends. This winery is at the forefront of experimenting with new varietals such as Pinot Gris and Tempranillo which both have a great future at this winery and in the Gimblet Gravels District. Dinner tonight will be at the Terroir Restaurant Craggy Range. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 2: Napier (Hawke's Bay), Art Deco. This morning will start with an escorted walk with Clarence Bertram St John Fitz Montague through the city of Napier Art Deco Capital of the World. Including visits to private homes built and furnished in the classic Art Deco style. The afternoon is yours. Choose from a range of activities available: Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony, Local Golf Course, Wine Tour. The evening is yours. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Martinborough (Wairarapa), VIP Wine Tour. Depart Napier after breakfast and arrive Martinborough mid-day. Martinborough boasts a unique wine village consisting of over twenty boutique vineyards many within easy walking distance of each other. On arrival in Martinborough we meet with Claire Mulholland wine maker at Martinborough Vineyard, one of the four original vineyards established in the Martinborough grape growing region. Martinborough's quest is to make world class Pinot Noir therefore the grapes are all hand picked to ensure that only the best fruit makes it to the bottle. Much of the wine making process is based on Burgundian techniques which have produced some of the Worlds most complex and delicate red wines for centuries.
After lunch we visit Schubert wines and meet owner wine maker Kai Schubert. Kai is a graduate from the German Viticulture and Oneology University in Geisenheim and his dream had always been to establish his own vineyard and winery one-day. This dream came true in form of Schubert Wines. Once again the focus here is on world class Pinot Noir. Roger and Jill Fraser of Murdoch James Estate will introduce you to their fantastic range of wines watch out for their Pinot Noir its delicious. Try their medal winning Cabernet Franc, while touring the underground barrel caves where we will taste past vintages of Pinot Noir and Syrah. Late afternoon we continue on our journey to Wellington. This evening we dine at our hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Wellington. Today you can choose from 2 tour options or combine them both together for a fantastic day out in Wellington.
- Option 1: City of Style Tour Meet designers and explore some of the best luxury products available in Wellington. These are some of the top innovators and artisans in the capital. Experience designer fashion, jewelry from renowned local designers, natural organic skin care made in Wellington, interior design and much more!
- Option 2: Wild About Chocolate is a sightseeing experience featuring 3 chocolate sampling boutiques in downtown Wellington, plus a trip on the famous Cable Car to take in the best of the city. A sweet way to see Wellington! The tour includes transport on local buses throughout the central city, and includes a short stop at Courtenay Place. Your tour host will show you where the red carpet was rolled out to welcome the stars of both Lord of the Rings and King Kong, and give you an insight into how Wellington became Wellywood. This has to be the perfect tour for sightseers with a sweet tooth! Tonight we dine at Citron. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Wellington - Marlborough, Te Papa and Pelorus Sound. This morning we visit Te papa (Our Place). Te Papa is a ground breaking museum offering a look at the History of New Zealand and Maori Culture. The museum is full of Maori Treasures, interactive rides and national treasures. Early afternoon we take a 20 minute flight to Marlborough. Upon arrival we drive to our accommodation in the heart of the vineyards. Enjoy the rest of your day relaxing beside the pool and playing tennis at the Vintners Retreat or take a five minute walk to 3 wineries close by. This evening your guide will prepare a BBQ meal at the retreat. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Marlborough, Herzog Culinary Class and Pelorus Sound. Mid morning we arrive at Herzog where Head chef Louis Schindler will be delighted to unlock the secrets of gourmet cuisine for enthusiastic novices. This hands-on workshop is a unique opportunity for all foodies to learn about the preparation and presentation of a fresh market 3-course gourmet menu that can easily be put into practice when entertaining at home. The class will be conducted in an informative and entertaining way in Herzog's state of the art European kitchen. The meal you have helped prepare with your chefs will then be served as a 3 course lunch. After lunch we return to our accommodation to freshen up before driving to Havelock for a boat ride into Pelorus Sound, the heart of New Zealand's mussel farming industry. Enjoy a glass of Sauvignon Blanc with mussels freshly plucked from the sea and steamed in the galley of our boat. The evening is yours. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 7: Blenheim (Marlborough), Vineyard Tour Marlborough. Mid morning we visit Foxes Island, a family owned wine company which produces small volumes of premium cool climate varietals from the very heart of the renowned Marlborough, New Zealand wine growing region. Owner and Wine maker John Belsham is a perfectionist and his wines reflect the passion with which he practices his trade. The philosophy behind Foxes Island Wines is one of quality and the pursuit of complexity in fine wine style. Consequently, each release is of very limited production. In 1996 Mike and Claire established Huia Vineyards Ltd, a small private company committed to the production of premium and classical Marlborough wines. Huia is focused on hand crafting fine unique wines expressing the richness of Marlborough grapes from the vineyard through to the table. Blending modern and traditional techniques Huia makes seven premium wine varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Vintage Huia Brut.
Next stop Cloudy Bay. No other Kiwi wine has found such a following, continually the most sought after Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Cloudy Bay was masterminded by David Hohnen and realized by Kevin Judd. Taste the well balanced Sauvignon that has put the winery on the world map in such a short time. Wine maker Hatsch Kalberer has formed a dynamic team at Fromm to produce exceptionally full-flavored wines. The emphasis may be on Pinot Noir, but he produces an eclectic range of wines, with Sangiovese in the pipeline. Includes: (B, (L), (D).
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 7 nights accommodation 4 to 5 star Qualmark rating
- Most meals
- Dinners created by top chefs
- 3 VIP wine tours and tasting
- Tours and visits to cultural attractions
- 1 Culinary Class
- 1 Boat Cruise
- Food Tour
- Air transportation from North to South Island
- All transportation on tour
- Wine and Culinary tour guide.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
New Zealand
Local Culture
Food & Wine
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