Monday - Arrive Auckland New Zealand

Haere Mai! Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand – “Land of the Long White Cloud”  Meet & greet on arrival and private transfer into the city & the SkyCity Grand Hotel. A modern contemporary five star hotel located adjacent to the Skycity Casino, Skytower and Skycity Theatre. (Harbourview Room)

Auckland city, sprawling across the isthmus between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, is noted for its extensive parks and beautiful gardens.  The warm, sunny climate encourages sub-tropical growth of all kinds.  Unique to this city are a large number of extinct volcanic cones thrusting sharply upward out of a sea of houses.  The highest, Mount Eden, is an ideal point to view this widespread metropolis, out across the Waitemata Harbour to the east and the Manukau Harbour to the west.  The beautiful Waitemata Harbour gives Auckland a nautical flavor and is the largest and busiest port in the country. 

This afternoon we take to the sparkling waters of the Waitemata Harbour on our private charter yacht.  Sail under the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and around Auckland’s beautiful harbour. Take the opportunity to try your hand at steering and trimming the sails or just sit back, relax and watch the experienced crew sail the vessel. Free Entry to the Maritime Museum is included. The perfect ‘jetlag buster’ and a great introduction to Auckland, ‘City of Sails’.

Dinner this evening is in a private dining room at ‘dine’.  Internationally renowned chef and arguably New Zealand's highest profile international culinary celebrity, Peter Gordon, has opened a new signature restaurant at Skycity Grand Hotel.  dine by Peter Gordon is a chic elegant restaurant opening daily for lunch and dinner.

Tuesday - Auckland & Waiheke Island

Enjoy full breakfast at your hotel this morning. Following breakfast we take the ferry for a 35 minute cruise to Waiheke Island. Since the late 1970's Waiheke's benign Mediterranean climate has seen the growth of a flourishing wine industry. A "small is beautiful" philosophy yields low quantities of extremely high quality fruit, which is made into international award-winning wines. The big Bordeaux-style reds of Stony Ridge, Goldwater Estate and Peninsula Estate are now appreciated by wine lovers all over the world, and more than 30 vineyards have followed in the footsteps of the original three.

During our time on the island we will visit at least 2 of the island’s leading wineries with an additional stop at Rangihoua Estate which introduces us to the splendor of Waiheke’s olive growing industry.

Lunch today is included at the very popular ‘Mudbrick Vineyard Restaurant’.
The restaurant has a wonderful ambience, and has been described as "one of the most romantic places on earth".  Their chefs have won international acclaim showcasing the best NZ ingredients.

Return to Auckland and transfer by private coach to your hotel.

Wednesday - Auckland & Napier & Sileni Estates Culinary School

Following breakfast you have the option to visit the Auckland Fish Market. Auckland Fish Market is Auckland's only seven-day fresh food market selling ultra-fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, delicatessen goods and premium-grade meat. Later in morning check out of hotel and transfer to Auckland Airport. Fly to Napier (air not included).

The Hawke’s Bay region has taken to grape growing and wine making with a vengeance.  The long, balmy summer in the province gives the grapes plenty of time to develop rich flavours.  Chardonnay and the red grape varietals have done particularly well here.  And Hawkes Bay is fast becoming known as the region for trialling new varietals including Viognier, Tempranillo, Gamay and Zinfandel.

Meet coach driver on arrival and travel to the Montana Church Road Winery.  Enjoy a guided tour of the historic, 100-year-old Church Road Winery and museum

The tour encompasses the working winery (where you may see our winemakers in action), the Cuve Cellar where some of the red wines are fermented, the imposing Tom Mc Donald Cellar and the fascinating winery museum. The tour finishes up with a tasting of Church Road Wines and a light lunch.

Following lunch we move on to Sileni Estates Culinary School.  Sileni Estates is a major vineyard and winery development in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand’s oldest established vineyard area. The first vintage was in 1998 and since then the wines have won world wide acclaim. Sileni Estates is much more than just a winery - it is an Epicurean Centre, with an alfresco and indoor dining restaurant, a culinary school and a gourmet foodstore, showcasing the finest Hawke's Bay, New Zealand and international product.

The Sileni Estates Culinary School is conducted in our purpose built Culinary Kitchen by Head Chef Andy Glover and Sous Chef Scott Munro.  Each class is designed so that you will walk away with the skills to prepare a three course menu that will impress your friends and family.  The class commences in the Cellar Store with a glass of wine and an informative briefing of the wines that will be featured in the class.  During the class you have the opportunity to get "hands on" or sit back and let the Chefs do all the work whilst you enjoy a delicious three course tasting menu and matched wines. Accommodations for nex 2 nights will be at Greenhill, the Lodge, Hawkes Bay

Thursday - Napier

Following breakfast meet Greg Beachen, local guide and wine expert, and enjoy a private tour of the region.  Meet winemakers and people passionate about wine. Learn about Terroir and how this creates different wine styles. Taste wine from the barrel. Visit food producers and scenic areas. Greg will ensure your experience of New Zealand’s most well known wine regions is more than just a tasting. Dinner this evening is included at your Lodge.

Friday - Napier to Wellington

After breakfast we head south today climbing out of Hawkes Bay and into the rolling sheep and cattle farmland that characterizes much of your journey today. The road converges on the rugged Tararua Ranges and Rimutaka Ranges before joining the motorway system into Wellington.

During the journey we take a short side excursion to Martinborough, a small boutique wine region specializing in Pinot Noir.  Our visit here will include tastings and lunch will be included at one of the local winery cafes.

Wellington - Capital of New Zealand, is a cosmopolitan city surrounded by the rugged beauty of green hills, and has the most spectacular skyline of all major cities in New Zealand - a result of recent major high rise construction.  The rapid modern growth has not altogether been at the expense of the older buildings in and around the city and even today the strong Victorian influence is testimony to Wellington's early establishment as the country's centre of political life.  Of particular note is the "Government Building" built in 1876 which is the second largest timber building in the world. Accommodation for the next 2 nights is at the stylish Bolton Hotel.

Saturday - Wellington Gourmet Walking tour

Following breakfast join your guide in the Lobby.  This morning we will discover Wellington’s lively food scene with Zest Tours. Known as New Zealand's cafè capital, Wellington is ideal for a guided gourmet tour. Visit a boutique coffee roaster and cafè. Enjoy tasting at Wellington's best specialist gourmet food stores. Meet owners, baristas, coffee roasters and chefs. Savour a delicious, light, three course tasting lunch with matched New Zealand wines at a top Wellington restaurant or cafè.

Afternoon at leisure

Sunday - Wellington to Blenheim

Following breakfast check out of hotel and transfer to Wellington Airport.  Enjoy a scenic flight from Wellington, across the Cook Strait and Marlborough Sounds into Blenheim, chief town of the Marlborough Wine Region.

Sauvignon Blanc, the standout wine of the region, firmly put New Zealand on the world wine map back in the early ‘80s but many more varietals are creating worldwide interest today.  Look for excellent Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and some fine sparkling wines that develop unique flavors in the warm days and cool nights.  The Wairau Valley plains are now densely covered in vines, land is at a premium and extensive new plantings are over the hills in the adjoining Awatere Valley.

Marlborough is now the largest wine growing region in New Zealand. Currently there are more than 3000 hectares of vineyards and around 70 wine producers.  

On arrival in Blenheim we travel the short distance to the small settlement of Havelock.

Here we join the MV Odysea for a truly unique wine and food cruise experience through the tranquil Marlborough Sounds.   The Greenshell Mussel Cruise departs from the Havelock Marina daily for an informative and relaxing afternoon cruising the inner Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds. Take in the natural beauty of this tranquil environment, learn about the history of the Marlborough Sounds and the pioneering families who have settled here. Visit a Greenshell Mussel farm where your launch captain will explain the intricacies of growing this delicacy in the Sounds.  While at the mussel farm we serve freshly steamed mussels with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, a wonderful wine and food match in a beautiful part of Marlborough. Accommodation for the next 2 nights is at Vintners Retreat, Blenheim.

Monday - Blenheim

Following breakfast we meet with our local wine guide for a full day tour of the region.  The following is an example day:  Arrive at Spy Valley. This aptly named winery is a short distance from the infamous "Spy Base" in the Waihopai Valley.   Stunning wines in a stunning environment. Travel to Seresin, a fine producer of quality wines and olive oils, all grown and produced on site under organic principals.  

Move on to Highfield Estate for a tasting of the range of fine wines.   Today you will get to sample the fabulous foods of Highfield Estate.  Relax with a Gourmet Platter of meats, local seafoods, salads, fresh breads, and a range of local delicacies, a perfect match to the Highfield wines. 

While at Highfield a short walk to the top of the tower is a must. The views out over the vineyards and olive groves of Marlborough are excellent. Don't forget your camera!!

Arrive at Te Whare Ra, Marlborough's oldest boutique winery.  With vines dating back to 1979 this winery offers a range of estate grown wines.  The extra bonus here is that the winemakers will host you in the cellar door and explain each of the tastings.

Arrive at Framingham Wine Company.  While Framingham produce an extensive range of wines they are best known for their range of Rieslings.  Depending on when you visit you may get to try the Dry, the Classic or the Select Rieslings.  Also look out for some fantastic reds such as Pinot Noir and Montepulciano.

Arrive at the Mudhouse Complex.  A very neat combination of small Marlborough producers in one area.

Taste the wines of Mudhouse and Le Grys
Taste the Schnapps of Prenzel Distillery
Taste the olives and oils of Marlborough Olives
View the crafts in Quilters Barn
Or relax with a coffee at Coffee Etc Cafe
Return to hotel around 5.00pm

Your farewell dinner this evening is at the renowned Herzog winery in their award winning restaurant. Prepare to be spoilt! An award winning global team of master chefs will spoil you with delicious market fresh cuisine served in the most decadent environment with personal service to make you feel totally pampered.

Tuesday:  After breakfast, check out and enjoy the morning at leisure.   Transfer to Airport.