| Wine growing in New Zealand is still evolving and new | | | | growing regions with many well established vineyards |
| areas are planting vines and producing an ever | | | | planted by the many Croatian families that emigrated |
| broadening selection of wine varieties with often | | | | to the area. Transport is essential. Kumeu, Henderson |
| excellent results. Wine is now one of the New | | | | and Oratia are home to some of New Zealand's most |
| Zealand's main exports. | | | | well known labels. Artisan's Winery - Oratia has a |
| Plan your New Zealand Wine Trail Holiday allowing | | | | great restaurant and their wines are supurb. |
| time to spend a few days in several wine regions. | | | | - South Auckland does not have such a wide choice |
| Many wineries have their own restaurants and the | | | | of wineries but there are a handful around Clevedon. |
| gourmet food is usually excellent, as the menus are | | | | - I recommend Vin Alto as an interesting winery. You |
| planned to compliment their wines. Some wineries | | | | can have a wine tasting or enjoy a degustation meal |
| have diversified growing olives and/or other gourmet | | | | with wine to match, which is a fabulous experience |
| food specialties. Each has their own architectural style | | | | with much of the produce...... even the venison grown |
| and beautiful scenic surrounds. | | | | on the property. Their limoncello liquor is delicious! |
| Many wineries are in areas featuring beaches, bush or | | | | Hawkes Bay - is one of New Zealand's top wine |
| mountains, arts and crafts, historic townships and | | | | growing regions with Chardonnay and Bordeaux style |
| other attractions for you to enjoy. | | | | red wines their most widely produced. This area has |
| If you are not keen to drink and drive - join an | | | | wine, food, art trails and Art Deco Napier to keep |
| organised Wine Trail Day Tour in each location, for a | | | | any tourist happy for days! You will need transport |
| comprehensive wine experience. Or drive yourself on | | | | to reach the many wineries which are spread out. For |
| mini tours... tasting the wines and gourmet foods | | | | something different you can do a Bike Winery Tour. |
| many regions produce. | | | | You will want to include some visits to the many |
| Vary it with a Winery Cycle Tour in Hawkes Bay or | | | | gourmet food producers as you tour the region. |
| the Kayaking Wine Tour to Omata Estate in the Bay | | | | Gisborne - Known as the Chardonnay capital of New |
| of Islands - and you have the makings of a | | | | Zealand Gisborne has some excellent wines and |
| wonderfully varied and exciting holiday. | | | | wineries with the first grape vines planted as long |
| I have found that many wine makers love to chat | | | | ago as 1836.This is also an area producing |
| and share their vast knowledge of the wines they | | | | internationally acclaimed gewertztraminer at |
| lovingly craft...for it is a craft. New Zealander's are | | | | Vinoptima. |
| generally innovative and prepared to try new ideas. | | | | Wairarapa - Martinborough - Best known for their |
| This shines through in some areas of their wine | | | | excellent Pinot Noir, you could plan to stay a night or |
| making too. | | | | two and enjoy the gourmet food and wines in the |
| The areas listed could all be visited as part of a tour | | | | region. Martinborough is a popular destination for a |
| throughout New Zealand. Alternatively you could | | | | weekend break and wine tours being near to |
| choose to just tour either the North Island or South | | | | Wellington. |
| Island sections. I have selected the main wine | | | | South Island |
| growing areas.......and a suggested route that takes | | | | Marlborough - Nelson - Sauvignon Blanc is the |
| you systematically through the country. | | | | trademark wine for this region and is considered by |
| Kerikeri - Northland is not a major wine area but | | | | many internationally to be the best in the world - |
| there are a few good wineries. Marsden Estate and | | | | although their Pinot Noir is also becoming a flagship |
| Cottle Hill are two wineries well worth visiting in | | | | wine for the area. This region has much to keep you |
| Kerikeri. Both also have good restaurants. | | | | here for several days if you have time - with arts |
| Auckland - Matakana - Waiheke Island -West | | | | and crafts, hiking and kayaking the stunning Abel |
| Auckland- Clevedon - There are many areas around | | | | Tasman National Park, and beautiful beaches. |
| Auckland where wine growing is a feature. | | | | Canterbury - The oldest South Island wine area, |
| - Matakana is an hour north of the city and there are | | | | Reisling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are some of the |
| several good wineries here. Take a day or two and | | | | best wines in this region. Take a Wine Tour or drive |
| tour the area. With beautiful beaches, potteries, and | | | | yourself to Banks Peninsula or Waipara Valley. French |
| Matakana township which has an excellent Farmers | | | | Farm is a lovely winery for tasting and lunch. |
| Market on a Saturday, there is plenty to fill your time | | | | Otago - This may be a relatively new wine growing |
| in between wine tastings. | | | | area, and those who were the first to plant grapes |
| - Waiheke Island has many excellent wineries with | | | | here were told they were "mad"! However, they |
| some acclaimed labels. Either do a Day Wine Tour or | | | | have had the last laugh as the wines in the region |
| spend a few days on the island with a car. Some of | | | | have won international acclaim. Pinot Noir and |
| the wineries are a little off the beaten track......with | | | | aromatic whites grow very well on the rocky hillsides. |
| glorious views. You can pick up rental cars from the | | | | A wine tour will take you to several fascinating |
| wharf or take your car across on the Sealink ferry. | | | | wineries from Waitiri Creek Winery based in an old |
| - West Auckland - is one of Auckland's oldest wine | | | | Church to Gibbston Valley with it's wine cave. |