5 Days/ 5 Nights Queenstown to Blenheim Our Most Popular Tour!
Wine regions visited: Gibbston Valley, Bannockburn/Central Otago, Waipara and Marlborough. South Island Wine Tour Map
Amisfield cellar door
Tour Inclusions:
- Discover beautiful alpine mountains and glacial lakes
- Taste our superb Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and more
- Visit award winning boutique wineries
- Private walking tour of two vineyards
- Enjoy a delicious platter lunch at a vineyard restaurant
- Relax in the hot springs at Lake Tekapo
- Cruise the Marlborough Sounds and visit a Greenshell Mussel Farm, tasting fresh steamed mussels matched with a glass of local Sauvignon Blanc
- 5 nights lodging in 4 star rated hotels or premium serviced apartments including breakfast
Wine tours run on demand for private groups or book one of our scheduled tours
South Island Wine Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Queenstown to Cromwell.
Your guide will meet and greet all tour members in Queenstown at their hotels in the morning and begin the wine tour with tastings from the Gibbston Valley region. To start will be the Amisfield Wine Company with a tasting of their reserve range including the delicious Arcadia sparkling wine. Following here we will stop for lunch in the historic and boutique gold mining town of Arrowtown before our next tasting at the acclaimed Chard Farm. Continuing on this afternoon with a private tasting at Pisa Range Estate to sample their premium produced Pinot Noir. Staying in Cromwell for the night you are free to explore this town known as the fruit bowl of New Zealand.
Overnight: Cromwell
Day 2. Cromwell to Lake Tekapo.
After a relaxed morning, we will embark on a tasting of what has recently been described as some of the ‘most concentrated Pinot Noir in the world’. The Bannockburn region is stunningly beautiful yet its arid landscape has been transformed into vibrant rows of vineyards against parched hills and sparkling glacial fed lakes. Visits to Akarua winery and Mt Difficulty for a platter lunch (included) and tastings, before a visit to the biodynamic vineyards of Felton Road or Quartz Reef. From here we will continue north via New Zealand’s most scenic roadwith views of our highest peak Mount Cook/Aoraki and lake Pukaki. Early evening we will arrive in Lake Tekapo township with plenty of options to choose from: soak at the hot springs overlooking the lake (entry included), take a 2 hr star gazing night tour at the Mt John Observatory (optional extra), stretch you legs with a hike or just relax and take some great photos.
Overnight: Lake Tekapo
Day 3. Lake Tekapo to Christchurch.
In the morning there is time to take the very popular 50 min “Grand Traverse” scenic flight (optional extra) over the mountains and glacial lakes before our departure. We will drive 2.5 hours through country towns and farms to Christchurch where you will have the afternoon to explore the ‘Garden City” as it is known. Visit the historic Arts Center markets, beautiful botanic gardens in bloom or watch some of the many festivals and shows that are on during the summer.
Overnight: Christchurch 
Day 4. Christchurch to Blenheim
Continuing our wine tour north, we visit the small Waipara wine regionthat stands out as New Zealand’s premium Riesling producer. With a visit to Greystone wines popular for both their Riesling and Pinot Noir and boutique producer Terrace Edge who’s award winning Pinot Gris has been selected for our national airline.
From here we will visit the coastal town of Kaikoura known for its fresh crayfish and seafood before arriving in Blenheim early evening.
Overnight: Blenheim
Day 5. Blenheim – Marlborough wine region
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 Estatea 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 for our final night of the tour.
Overnight: Blenheim
We will be travelling back to Christchurch the following morning, for a small charge of $25 you can join the ride back. Or if you need to catch the Picton Ferry to Wellington we can also take you there first thing in the morning for a small fee. Please ask!
Tour Cost: From NZ $2,930 p/p based on double occupancy
Scheduled tour dates:
- 20 March 2012
- 20 November 2012
- 12 December 2012
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 Tour page for more information on what’s included.
