Man walking through autumn grapevines at Craggy Range Winery under a sunny blue sky with hills in the background.

Food & Wine

Discover Itineraries
Wine barrels stacked in a vineyard courtyard with mountains and people sitting outdoors.
Hands holding a bunch of black grapes with soil-stained fingers outdoors.
Person stomping on pinot noir grapes in boots with a white scoop nearby.

Where landscape shapes flavour

New Zealand’s food and wine are deeply regional.

Cool-climate vineyards stretch across Central Otago. Marlborough’s long sunshine hours produce world-renowned Sauvignon Blanc. Hawke’s Bay pairs coastal influence with fertile plains. In between, farmers’ markets, artisan producers, and coastal seafood reflect proximity to land and sea.

Food experiences here aren’t confined to cities. They’re woven into rural valleys, small-town main streets, and vineyard-covered hillsides. With the right pacing, tasting becomes part of the journey rather than a standalone stop.

Popular Food & Wine Tours

A Taste of the North Island
Food & Wine

A Taste of the North Island

Savour the best of the North Island on this journey from Auckland’s island vineyards to Napier’s Art Deco wineries and Wellington’s foodie lanes.

AucklandWellington
Road Trips
10 Days
$4,821ppLearn More
View of green hills, sandy beach, ocean, and a small island off the coast under a clear blue sky.
Food & Wine

Aotearoa on a Plate: Auckland to Wellington

Savour the North Island’s premier flavours on a journey from Auckland to Wellington. Experience Waiheke’s vines, the Art Deco estates of Napier and the hidden culinary laneways of the capital.

AucklandWellington
Road Trips
12 Days
$5,841ppLearn More
North to South Food & Wine Journey
Food & Wine

North to South Food & Wine Journey

Savour the flavours of New Zealand on a spectacular journey from Auckland to Christchurch, where gourmet delights meet stunning landscapes. This bespoke tour offers an unforgettable taste of our beaut...

AucklandChristchurch
Road Trips
15 Days
$9,334ppLearn More
Lake with autumn trees and hills under clear blue sky reflecting on the water surface.
Boutique & Unique

The Central Otago Gold Trail

Retreat into the heart of Central Otago, where historic gold-rush towns host boutique stays, world-class vineyards, and serene alpine views.

QueenstownQueenstown
Road Trips
8 Days
$4,585ppLearn More

Food & Wine Hotspots

Rows of green grapevines in a vineyard with mountains in the background under a clear sky.

Marlborough

Bucket List Food & Wine Experiences

Vineyard estate with green grapevines, buildings, and rugged hills under a blue sky.

Craggy Range Winery

Vineyard rows overlooking a lake with mountains and a small island under a blue sky.

Central Otago Wine Tour

Hands chopping rainbow chard leaves on cutting boards with bowls and ingredients on counter

Hapuku Kitchen Cooking Experience

Wooden arched door entrance to Gibbston Valley Wine Cave with signage and green roof

Gibbston Valley Wine Cave

Three people riding bicycles on a gravel path next to vineyards under a sunny sky.

Biking Wine Tasting Tour

People dining outdoors by the lake with a steamboat on the water and mountains in the background at sunset.

Walter Peak Dining

Aerial view of vineyards and river in Gibbston Valley with hills and mountains in the background.

Gibbston Valley Wine Tour

Trays of greenshell mussels with lemon wedges on a boat near the water.

Marlborough Seafood Tour

Helicopter landed on grass near vineyard gardens and outdoor dining tables at Mudbrick Vineyard.

Lunch at Mudbrick Winery on Waiheke Island

Flavours, designed around your route

Wine regions are best experienced without rushing.

We design tailor-made itineraries that allow time to settle into a region, rather than passing through for a single tasting. Two-night stays often unlock private vineyard visits, long lunches, and the freedom not to watch the clock.

Whether you prefer structured guided tours or independent cellar door exploration with transfers arranged, your itinerary is built around enjoyment and ease, not tight scheduling.

Guests enjoying a wine tasting session with a sommelier.
Group of people eating lunch outdoors at a long table with plants and glasses in daylight.

Plan your tasting journey with locals who know these vineyards

We design tailor-made food and wine itineraries shaped around regional strengths, seasonal produce, and relaxed pacing, so each tasting experience feels immersive rather than rushed.

Get in touch

Best Places for Food & Wine in New Zealand

Aerial view of vineyards and river in Gibbston Valley with hills and mountains in the background.
Wooden post with sign showing Riesling vines planted in 1983 in a vineyard with autumn leaves.
Three people sitting at a picnic table outdoors with wine, food, and bicycles nearby under sun umbrellas.

Queenstown

Set between alpine ridges, Queenstown is the perfect base for tasting your way through the Gibbston Valley. Delivering dramatic scenery alongside cellar doors. Tastings often include vineyard views and small-batch producers. Pair visits with Arrowtown or Wānaka stays for contrast.

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Best time to visit

Spring

September - November

Avg Temp: 5 – 18 ℃ / 41 – 64 ℉

Summer

December - February

Avg Temp: 9 – 24 ℃ / 48 – 75 ℉

Autum

March - May

Avg Temp: 3 - 16 ℃ / 37 - 61 ℉

Winter

June - August

Avg Temp: -2 – 1 ℃ / 28 – 52 ℉

Hawke's Bay

Hawke’s Bay pairs wine with coastal influence. Cellar doors sit among orchards and farmland, with strong food culture rooted in local produce. It works naturally between Taupō and Wellington.

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Best time to visit

Spring

September - November

Avg Temp: 9 - 19 ℃ / 48 - 66 ℉

Summer

December - February

Avg Temp: 14 – 27 ℃ / 57 – 81 ℉

Autumn

March - May

Avg Temp: 11 – 23 ℃ / 52 – 73 ℉

Winter

June - August

Avg Temp: 6 – 16 ℃ / 43 – 61 ℉

Curved rows of green grapevines in a vineyard with misty river and trees in the background at dawn.
Circular barrel room with wooden wine barrels and a wooden ceiling illuminated by a central light.
Farmers market stall displaying fresh peaches and mixed fruit with price tags under sunlight.
Couple dining at Mudbrick Vineyard with ocean view.
Aerial view of Waiheke Island coastline and bays.
Four people walk together along a sunlit path beside vineyard rows at Stoneyidge on Waiheke Island. The landscape features rolling hills, scattered trees, and a relaxed, social atmosphere typical of a wine-tasting experience.

Waiheke Island

Just a short ferry from Auckland, Waiheke Island blends boutique vineyards with coastal views and a slower island rhythm. Tastings here often overlook olive groves and sheltered bays, with cellar doors positioned close enough to pair easily in a single afternoon. It works well as a relaxed wine-focused interlude at the beginning or end of a North Island journey.

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Spring

September - November

Avg Temp: 11 - 20 ℃ / 52 - 68 ℉

Summer

December - February

Avg Temp: 15 - 24 ℃ / 59 - 75 ℉

Autumn

March - May

Avg Temp: 12 - 22 ℃ / 54 - 72 ℉

Winter

June - August

Avg Temp: 8 - 16 ℃ / 46 - 61 ℉

People on a sailboat named Olympic Spirit with mountains and water in the background on a sunny day.

Food & Wine FAQs

Food and wine travel works best with the right pacing, regional understanding, and advance planning.

Private and guided tastings benefit from advance planning, particularly in peak season.

Yes. Transfers can be arranged for tasting days so you can relax fully.

While Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is globally recognised, regions such as Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay produce excellent Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.

Two nights typically allow for relaxed tastings without rushing between regions.