Food and Wine Tours

New Zealand's wine regions each have their own personality, from the schist soils of Central Otago to the sun soaked gravels of Marlborough. A good wine tour does more than pour a glass, it hands you the story behind the label, the cellar door characters and the view that makes the wine taste even better. Here is where to taste your way through the country's best known wine regions.

Queenstown's Original Wine Tour

The Original Wine Tour with Queenstown Wine Trail spends four and a half hours through the Gibbston wine region, calling at three Central Otago wineries for more than 12 tastings along the way. A highlight stop is the underground wine cave at Gibbston Valley Winery, New Zealand's largest, carved into the hillside and kept at a constant cellar temperature year round. Complimentary pick up from your Queenstown accommodation is included.

Sounds Connection Wine Tours, Marlborough

The Sounds Connection Wine Tour explores New Zealand's largest wine region from Picton or Blenheim, with a full day option visiting 5 to 6 wineries and sampling over 20 cool climate wines, or a half day option covering 3 cellar doors and 16 tastings. Marlborough produces more than three quarters of the country's wine, and the tour finishes with a stop at the Makana Chocolate Factory for something sweet before the drive home.

Napier Wine Experience, Hawke's Bay

The Napier Wine Experience runs five hours through New Zealand's oldest wine region, operating since 1851, with tastings at four distinctly different vineyards including Mission Estate, the country's oldest winery. A cheeseboard or local platter is included alongside a scenic detour through Napier's Art Deco suburbs.

Taste of Waiheke Food & Wine Tour, Auckland

The Taste of Waiheke Food & Wine Tour combines the ferry crossing from downtown Auckland with a full day across four venues on Waiheke Island, including a two course lunch and wine at Batch Winery, the island's highest vineyard, a cellar door tasting at Mudbrick Vineyard and olive oil tasting at Allpress Olive Groves. Allow six hours in total including the ferry, with return sailings included in the price.

Frequently asked questions

Which New Zealand region is best for a first wine tour?

Marlborough is the country's largest wine region and the easy choice for a first timer, best known for its Sauvignon Blanc, while Central Otago around Queenstown is the place for Pinot Noir lovers.

Do these wine tours include lunch?

It varies, the Taste of Waiheke tour includes a two course lunch, the Marlborough full day tour has a lunch stop at your own cost, and the Queenstown and Hawke's Bay tours include a cheeseboard or light platter option.

Are these tours suitable for children?

No, these are guided wine tasting tours built around cellar door visits and are not suitable for children.

Is hotel or accommodation pick up included?

Most are, the Queenstown and Hawke's Bay tours include complimentary pick up from central accommodation, while the Marlborough tour departs from Picton or Blenheim and the Waiheke tour departs from the Auckland Ferry Terminal.

How many wineries do these tours typically visit?

It ranges from three cellar doors on a half day tour in Queenstown or Marlborough, up to five or six wineries on the Marlborough full day option.

Local tip: book a half day wine tour if you are flying out the same evening, a full day option leaves little time to pack before an early flight.

Go everywhere. Do everything. Book your New Zealand wine tasting tour above, Queenstown, Marlborough, Hawke's Bay or Waiheke Island.