Day 1: Napier (Hawke’s Bay)
VIP Wine Tour with Grape Escape

Accommodation 2 Nights – The Crown Hotel

Start the day with a drive to the top of Te Mata Peak, taking in panoramic views of Hawke’s Bay.

Mid morning we visit the Craggy Range winery for a tour of their winery and   tasting. The Craggy Range philosophy is to select and source the very best vineyards in the country, plant them with only the vines that are perfectly suited to that terrôir and then bottle them all as single estate wines.

Midday we travel back out to the Gimblett Gravels and the Western Plains and dine at the Te Awa` Winery and Restaurant.
We visit Brookfield’s, a leading winery making premium wines. The Brookfield’s wine making philosophy is to make fruit-driven wines that are enjoyable in their youth, go well with food and for those that can resist temptation, wines that respond well to cellaring. This winery is renowned for aromatic wines as well as full-bodied Bordeaux blends and a hillside Syrah.

Cousins Alwyn and Brian continue a 100-year heritage and craft of the Corban family of wine makers at Ngatarawa in Hawke’s Bay. Meet owner/wine maker Alwyn Corban and wine maker Peter Gough and enjoy the Ngatarawa wine maker’s reserve and Glazebrook range of wines

Recommended Dining – Terrôir Craggy Range

Day 2: Napier (Hawke’s Bay)
Art Deco

This morning will start with an escorted walk with Clarence Bertram St John Fitz Montague through the city of Napier Art Deco Capital of the World. Including visits to private homes built and furnished in the classic Art Deco style.

The afternoon and evening are yours. Choose from a range of activities available.
• Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony
• Local Golf Course
• Wine Tour

Recommended Dining – Elephant Hill

Day 3: Martinborough (Wellington)
VIP Wine Tour

Accommodation 2 Nights – The Copthorne Hotel

Depart Napier after breakfast and arrive Martinborough mid-day. Martinborough boasts a unique wine village consisting of over twenty boutique vineyards many within easy walking distance of each other. On arrival in Martinborough we meet with Claire Mulholland wine maker at Martinborough Vineyard, one of the four original vineyards established in the Martinborough grape growing region. Martinborough’s quest is to make world class Pinot Noir therefore the grapes are all hand picked to ensure that only the best fruit makes it to the bottle. Much of the wine making process is based on Burgundian techniques which have produced some of the Worlds most complex and delicate red wines for centuries. After lunch we visit Schubert wines and meet owner wine maker Kai Schubert. Kai is a graduate from the German Viticulture and Oenology University in Geisenheim and his dream had always been to establish his own vineyard and winery one-day. This dream came true in form of Schubert Wines. Once again the focus here is on world class Pinot Noir. Roger and Jill Fraser of Murdoch James Estate will introduce you to their fantastic range of wines watch out for their Pinot Noir its delicious. Try their medal winning Cabernet Franc, while touring the underground barrel caves where we will taste past vintages of Pinot Noir and Syrah. Late afternoon we continue on our journey to Wellington.

Recommended Dining

Day 4: Wellington

Today you can choose from 2 tour options or combine them both together for a fantastic day out in Wellington.

Option 1 : City of Style Tour Meet designers and explore some of the best luxury products available in Wellington. These are some of the top innovators and artisans in the capital. Experience designer fashion, jewelry from renowned local designers, natural organic skin care made in Wellington, interior design and much more!

Option 2 : Wild About Chocolate is a sightseeing experience featuring 3 chocolate sampling boutiques in downtown Wellington, plus a trip on the famous Cable Car to take in the best of the city. A sweet way to see Wellington! The tour includes transport on local buses throughout the central city, and includes a short stop at Courtenay Place. Your tour host will show you where the red carpet was rolled out to welcome the stars of both Lord of the Rings and King Kong, and give you an insight into how Wellington became Wellywood. This has to be the perfect tour for sightseers with a sweet tooth!

Recommended Dining.

Day 5: Wellington – Marlborough
Te Papa and Pelorus Sound

A Accommodation 3 Nights – Marlborough Vintners Hotel

This morning we visit Te papa (Our Place). Te Papa is a ground-breaking museum offering a look at the History of New Zealand and Maori Culture. The museum is full of Maori Treasures, interactive rides and national treasures.

Early afternoon we take a 20-minute flight to Marlborough. Upon arrival we drive to our accommodation in the heart of the vineyards. Enjoy the rest of your day relaxing beside the pool and playing tennis at the Vintners Retreat or take a five minute walk to 3 wineries close by.

Dine at your Hotel

Day 6: Marlborough
Mussels and Pelorus Sound

Mid morning we visit the No1 Family Estate. Home of New Zealand’s premium Methode Traditionelle the No. 1 Family Estate is dedicated to only Methodes Traditionelle: Cuvée No. 1, a non-vintage Blanc de Blanc’s (100% chardonnay), Cuvée Number Eight, a non-vintage blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Next stop Gibson Bridge where we will enjoy a tasting with my mate Howard, take a tour of his vines and enjoy a relaxing vineyard picnic. Howard specializes in Pinot Gris from the dry to the medium and then the sweet.

After lunch we return to our accommodation to freshen up before driving to Havelock for a boat ride into Pelorus Sound, the heart of New Zealand’s mussel farming industry. Enjoy a glass of Sauvignon Blanc with mussels freshly plucked from the sea and steamed in the galley of our boat.

Recommended Dining – Gibbs Family Restaurant

Day 7: Blenheim (Marlborough)
Vineyard Tour Renwick

Mid morning we visit Saint Clair for a structured tasting of their many Sauvignon Blanc’s. Saint Clair makes a range of Sauvignon’s from many different vineyards show casing each vineyard’s Terrôir.

Next stop Cloudy Bay. No other Kiwi wine has found such a following, continually the most sought after Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Cloudy Bay was masterminded by David Hohnen and realized by Kevin Judd. Taste the well-balanced Sauvignon that has put the winery on the world map in such a short time.

Lunch today will be at the Alan Scott Winery Twelve Trees Vineyard Restaurant

Wine maker Hatsch Kalberer has formed a dynamic team at Fromm to produce exceptionally full-flavoured wines. The emphasis may be on Pinot Noir, but he produces an eclectic range of wines.

Next stop Seresin At Seresin we will enjoy a wide range of wine styles, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay .

We couldn’t leave Marlborough without visiting Vavasour, pioneers of the Awatere Valley sub region of Marlborough. Enjoy  a wide range of herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc’s and luscious Pinot Noir

Recommended Dining – Herzog