11 Day Northern Wine Trail

Make your way to the Auckland ferry terminal and board your ferry at Downtown Auckland Ferry Terminal for a pleasant cruise through the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island. You’ll enjoy a day of wine and olive tasting at three vineyards and an olive grove, plus have the chance to indulge in locally produced foods such as mouth watering preserves and world class olive oils. Tour includes a light lunch at Stonyridge Vineyard. After your tour, explore the island further before returning to Auckland by ferry. (L)

This morning you will be collected from your hotel. Leave the bustle of the city and relax on the one hour drive north through the rolling green hills and past beautiful coastline before arriving at The Honey Centre. Here you find New Zealand’s largest display of live bees and a huge range of honeys available for tasting as well as honey mead and fruit-wine. Then we visit a local vineyard and taste award-winning wines and local cheese in a platter match. Nearby, in the heart of Matakana Coast Wine Country, is Morris & James Pottery, where you are greeted by a pure visual spectacle of layer upon layer of design and colour from matt black to luscious red. Lunch is at Mahurangi River Winery with its contemporary New Zealand architecture and wide pastoral views. Tour the winery and barrel room and sample their wine (made only from grapes grown on the property) before taking time to enjoy the local cuisine. From here Brick Bay Sculpture Trail showcases an ever-changing exhibition of contemporary sculptures by leading New Zealand artists. Sample their hand crafted wines in the unique Glass House building before heading back to the city. The day is rounded off with a stop at Chocolate Brown – where they hand-make outrageously fine chocolates. (L)

Collect your rental car this morning and head south to Taupo. You might like to go via Waitomo and take a guided tour of the glow-worm caves. In Taupo, relax and enjoy the Scenic Cellars for wine-tasting and shopping. You may like to visit the River Vineyard and Restaurant at Tongariro River Estate for dinner.

Leisurely morning in Lake Taupo – enjoy coffee beside the lake, or take a swim in the hot pools. From here you have quite a variety of scenery as you ascend to the volcanic plateau then across mountains and valleys to Hawke’s Bay. (2 nights)

A complete action packed day highlighting the best Hawke’s Bay has to offer. Start the day in the picturesque Esk Valley Region. Take a full behind the scenes tour of Church Road winery, the Tom McDonald Cellar and NZ’s only wine museum. Enjoy lunch with wine at the country’s oldest and grandest winery, the Mission Estate. After lunch visit one of Hawke’s Bay’s small boutique wineries and take another behind the scenes look at how wine evolves from the vine to the glass on a smaller scale. A great contrast to the larger production winery from the morning. Travel through NZ’s most prestigious wine growing district the Gimblett Gravels from which we taste award winning wines throughout the day. Finish with a gourmet platter at award winning restaurant and winery Vidal. Indulge in the finest local produce including meat, seafood, cheese, marinated vegetables, olives, breads and dips. (L)

Today’s route has you driving through some of New Zealand’s rural heartland with a mixture of sheep, dairy and crop farming. You may like to visit the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka – tour the brewery and taste a selection of ales. Carterton is a good place to shop for Paua shell souvenirs. Browse the antique, homeware and fashion shops and art galleries in the colonial village of Greytown before making your way to Martinborough. (2 nights)

This unique and exclusive wine tour takes you behind the scenes, often where the general public can’t access. Your friendly, knowledgeable wine tour host, Jill Fraser, will ensure your day is pleasurable and enlightening. You will have the opportunity to taste regional cuisine and sample wines; meet local winemakers and growers; and experience the culture of Martinborough including a visit to an olive oil producer. (L)

Climb up and over the Rimutaka Range – great views in every direction. Once the mountains are behind you, it’s easy driving for the rest of your journey. You’ll wind through the picturesque Hutt Valley then a fast moving motorway will whisk you towards the city. You may like to take a detour to Wharekauhau, one of New Zealand’s most exclusive lodges, for lunch (contact your consultant for this option). (2 nights)

This mouth-watering culinary experience concludes with a delicious, light, three course tasting lunch with matched New Zealand wines at top Wellington restaurant. Over a relaxed 4 hour walking gourmet tour around Wellington’s best food places, your personal guide will introduce you to new and favourite flavours. Tour content can vary seasonally, and you may visit a boutique coffee roaster and stylish cafe, renowned specialist fresh produce and gourmet food stores, and a unique contemporary chocolatier. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore Wellington – Walk around downtown and harbour-side, visit galleries and shopping in Lambton Quay and the national museum of Te Papa Tongarewa on the harbour waterfront. (L)

Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you deliver your car back to the rental car depot at Wellington airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.