9 Days/ 9 Nights Auckland to Queenstown
Wine Regions: Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, Marlborough, Waipara, Central Otago & Gibbston Valley. Ultimate NZ Wine Tour Map
Craggy Range Winery
North Island Tour Highlights:
- Scenic tour of the North Island and Art-Deco Napier
- Visit an active geothermal park near Rotorua
- Visit the prestigious Gimblett Gravels and Martinborough wine regions
- Tour the Craggy Range Winery
- Explore Wellington our capital city
- Taste the very best of our premium wine producers
- Discover beautiful alpine mountains and glacial lakes
- Visit New Zealand’s first wine cave
- Stay in Queenstown our adventure capital
- Taste and explore the famous Marlborough and Central Otago wine regions
- Visit award winning wineries and vineyard restaurants
- Cruise Marlborough Sounds and visit a Greenshell Mussel farm
- All inclusive of 9 nights lodging in 4 star rated hotels or premium serviced apartments including breakfast
View all scheduled tours and prices for 2011/12. All wine tours are available to be booked for private groups throughout the year.
9 DAY NEW ZEALAND WINE TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1: Auckland to Napier.
Your driver and guide will meet all tour members at their hotels in Auckland. We begin the scenic tour to Rotorua, stopping to visit a active geothermal area of bubbling mud pools, and then to the beautiful Lake Taupo for lunch. Continue to Napier City arriving mid afternoon and enjoy a 1 hr walking tour of Napier city, where you will discover its historical and delightful Art Deco history. Evening Free.
Overnight: Napier Hotel
Day 2. Napier – Hawke’s Bay wineries.
Free time this morning to have a late breakfast, do some shopping, or early morning stroll on the beach. We begin our wine tour of the famous Gimblett Gravels region with a visit to Trinity Hill winery followed by a visit to the artisan Te Mata Cheese company for a cheese tasting. Next on the wine tour is a visit to the prestigious Craggy Range which includes a tour of their winery and late lunch (at own cost) in their award winning restaurant. The last winery visit of the day will be a selected by the tour members before returning back to enjoy another evening in Napier.
Overnight: Napier Hotel
Day 3. Napier to Wellington.
An early morning start sees us on the road south to Wellington city, New Zealand’s capital. On the way we will visit one of Martinborough’s finest wineries: Ata Rangi who are reknown for their world class Pinot Noir. Early afternoon we will continue to Wellington city with plenty of time to explore the vibrant central city or visit our National museum, Te Papa.
Overnight: Wellington Hotel
Day 4. Wellington to Blenheim.
This morning we will take the 2.5 hr ferry crossing from Wellington harbour to the South Island cruising through the beautiful Marlborough sounds and docking in Picton. From here we will continue a short distance to the Johanneshof Cellars, artisans of premium aromatic white wines and home to New Zealand’s first wine cave. Early afternoon is yours free to explore the town of Blenheim, at the heart of New Zealand’s largest wine growing region.
Overnight: Blenheim Serviced Apartment
Wine tasting at Seresin Estate
Day 5. Blenheim – Marlborough wineries.
Today we will be touring Marlborough, New Zealand’s largest wine region and known for its outstanding Sauvignon Blanc. With a visit to Aunstfield Estate and walking tour of the oldest vineyard and winery in the region, followed by Seresin Estate a fully certified Biodynamic vineyard. This afternoon will continue north to Havelock and enjoy a unique wine and food cruise through the tranquil Marlborough Sounds. Visit a Greenshell Mussel Farm, taste freshly steamed Mussels matched with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Late afternoon travel back to Blenheim.
Overnight: Blenheim Serviced Apartment
Day 6. Blenheim to Christchurch.
This morning we continue south along the wild coastline with a stop in at Kaikoura including a close encounter with our native New Zealand Fur seals. A little later we arrive in the Waipara wine district famous for its delicious Riesling. Our wine tour takes us to the boutique Greystone or Terrace Edge vineyards. Each having their own distinctive style and highly acclaimed wines. We finish the afternoon on our arrival in Christchurch city, where we take a tour of the city, and see how the rebuilding process has changed parts of the central business district.
Overnight: Christchurch Serviced Apartment
Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki
Day 7. Christchurch to Lake Tekapo.
Our journey today takes us to the alpine mountains and glacial lakes region of Lake Tekapo. Set against southern alps mountain range this small resort town is a great place to stretch the legs with short hikes, take a scenic flight over the mountains and glaciers or visit the popular observatory on a star gazing night tour (optional extras). Included is entry to the alpine springs and spa hot pools.
Overnight: Lake Tekapo Hotel
Day 8. Lake Tekapo to Queenstown.
From lake Tekapo our wine tour continues south through the dry high country that produces our delicious lamb and more recently, incredible Central Otago Pinot Noir. We take a visit to Pisa Range Estate or Akarua winery followed by a tasting at biodynamic Quartz Reef winery all of which are premium boutique Pinot Noir producers. Mid afternoon a short drive sees us arriving in Queenstown, New Zealand’s favourite resort town. Tonight there is everything to keep you entertained from jet boating, divine foodie restaurants and plenty of nightlife.
Overnight: Queenstown Serviced Apartment
Day 9. Queenstown – Gibbston Valley wineries and Arrowtown.
Our final day of the wine tour takes us exploring the region of Gibbston valley with visits to Amisfield winery and a tasting of their reserve range, then to the beautiful Chard Farm set on the edge of and overlooking the glacial fed Kawerau River. With a lunch stop at the historic and boutique Arrowtown to finish off the last day of the tour, your taste buds will have been more than satisfied with the selection of New Zealand wine, food and beautiful scenery over the previous 9 days! Your final evening is free to explore and enjoy your last night of the tour!
Overnight: Queenstown Serviced Aparment
Tour Cost: From NZ $4,695 per person double occupancy
Scheduled Tour Dates: 5 November 2011 / 23 February 2012 / 1 April 2011
This tour can be booked for private group travel anytime during the year subject to availability, please ask.
BOOK THIS TOUR or visit our Wine Tours page for more information on what’s included.
