Travelers know the fastest way to experience a new culture is through its food and wine. New Zealand In Depth has designed a 13-day New Zealand Food and Wine Tour that focuses on the country’s most celebrated wine regions and local culinary experiences. The itinerary covers Hawke’s Bay on the North Island and Marlborough and Central Otago on the South Island, with a variety of tastings, pairings and hands-on food activities.
The tour is designed for flexibility: participants travel at their own pace and stay overnight in a curated selection of lodges and inns. The customizable route begins in Auckland and concludes in Queenstown, and it includes travel by ferry, car and plane. Highlights along the way include Auckland and Waiheke Island, Napier and Hawke’s Bay on the North Island, and Blenheim, the Marlborough region and Queenstown on the South Island.
Activity options accommodate a range of interests, from adventure sports and gourmet sailing to vineyard cycling tours and hiking the Queen Charlotte Track. Wine enthusiasts can expect guided tastings of notable regional varieties and styles: Bordeaux-style blends from Stonyridge on Waiheke Island; rich Chardonnay at Clearview Estate Winery in Hawke’s Bay; barrel-aged Sur Lie Sauvignon Blanc from Hans Herzog in Marlborough; and Gewürztraminer produced in an Alsace style at Johanneshof Cellars. In Central Otago, sampled wines may include oak-aged Fumé Blanc at Amisfield Winery in Arrowtown and single-vineyard Pinot Noir such as Cornish Point.
Travel dates are offered through June 2018, and New Zealand In Depth’s team works directly with travelers to tailor each itinerary to their preferences, combining wine tastings, regional cuisine and optional outdoor activities for a balanced, immersive experience.