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The Wine & Gourmet Trail of North Island
On this epic journey, experience the great wine trail of New Zealand's finest wines and gastronomy to Hawke's Bay and the Wairarapa region on an epicurean sojourn for connoisseurs while uncovering astonishing landscapes of great diversity.
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience stunning landscapes of Hawke's Bay and Palliser Bay
Enjoy the finest wines and gastronomy of Hawke's Bay and Palliser Bay
Stay in exceptional boutique lodges
ITINERARY
DAY 1: AUCKLAND / NAPIER / HAWKE'S BAY
Depart for Auckland Airport for a short flight to Napier Hawke's Bay Airport to arrive at the stunning Hawke's Bay region - undoubtedly New Zealand's wine country and home to a range of exceptional new world cabenet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. We arrive into The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, set atop 6,000 rolling acres of stunning pasture land with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy an orientation of the area including a visit to the Gannet Colony where thousands of these amazing migratory seabirds nest at Cape Kidnappers. Alternatively, enjoy a 4WD jeep tour that takes us along the beautiful coastline of the Hawke's Bay offering enviable views of the ocean.
Overnight: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay
Meals: NIL
DAY 2: HAWKE'S BAY
Our day begins with a morning visit to either the Black Barn's Grower's Market (every Sat in Summer) or the Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market (every Sun) where you will find an assortment of fresh organic produce straight from the producers for an insight into the ingredients that goes into preparing the fine cuisines of the region. Thereafter, we spend the day uncovering the secrets of the second-largest wine producing region of New Zealand where the first vines were planted in 1851 and is now home to over 100 vineyards and 80 wineries. Some of our finest selection of wine estates where we will enjoy tastings of premium wines such as the Black Barn Vineyards, a small and boutique estate that produces only 4,000 cases of wines a year and exquisite for their Bordeaux-styled reds. A visit too to the Craggy Range, an award-winning winery set at the foot of the Te Mata peaks provides an incredible setting of one of the best wineries not just in the Hawke's Bay region but possibly New Zealand where we enjoy a cellar visit and a wonderful lunch paired with its exquisite range of Pinot Gris and some of the remarkable reds at the Terroir Restaurant. On return to the Farm at Cape Kidnappers, recommended is a visit to the renowned Elephant Hill Estate & Winery which overlooks the Te Awanga coastline in an enviable setting close to the sea.
Overnight: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 3: HAWKE'S BAY / WELLINGTON / PALLISER BAY
Transfer to Napier Hawke's Bay Airport today for a short flight to Wellington where on arrival, you will be escorted to your private helicopter on a short but scenic flight to Palliser Bay over the beautiful Lake Wairarapa before landing in the lawn of the Wharekauhau Lodge & Country Estate, set in a 5,500 acre working sheep and cattle farm on a dramatic coastline in the Wairarapa wine region. Be orientated of the grounds and later, enjoy a visit of Wharekauhau's farm bordered by the Rimutaka Ranges and the Pacific Ocean. This evening, be treated to a sensational fine gastronomic experience for a warm welcome.
Overnight: Wharekauhau Lodge & Country Estate, Palliser Bay
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 4: PALLISER BAY (WINES OF MARTINBOROUGH)
An amazing day beckons where we enjoy a superb day of fine wines beginning with a drive where we cross the Ruamahanga River before arriving into the village of Martinborough - home to some of the world's finest boutique wineries and Pinot Noir - a fierce competitor to the old world variety in Burgundy, France. Enjoy a visit to the Ata Rangi Vineyard & Winery, one of the winegrowing pioneers of Martinborough that began its story in 1980 and renowned for its flagship Ata Rangi Pinot Noir and dubbed as the "Grand Cru of New Zealand". We then make a visit to the Schubert Winery established in 1998 by Kai Schubert and Marion Deimling, which probably provides the closest European concept anywhere in New Zealand for its remarkable Pinot Noirs and Tribianco that have won numerous awards and accolades. Thereafter, we make a visit to the Murdoch James Estate Winery, another award-winning wine estate to enjoy a tour of the tasting room before settling down for lunch at its Restaurant Aurelia (on own expenses). Finally, return back to Wharekauhau Lodge.
Overnight: Wharekauhau Lodge & Country Estate, Palliser Bay
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5: PALLISER BAY
Today we enjoy a beautiful day out along the Palliser Bay where we visit the extraordinary Putangirua Pinnacles, a remarkable series of bizarre rock formations that were used as a backdrop for the filming of Dimholt Road in the film, "Lord of The Rings - Return of the King". Enjoy a hike and discover the pillars formed by erosive forces of rain and floods over 120,000 years. Thereafter, continue to the picturesque Cape Palliser - home to the largest breeding colony of fur seals in North Island, New Zealand where we will also have the opportunity to marvel at the Cape Palliser Lighthouse and the stunning coasts.
Overnight: Wharekauhau Lodge & Country Estate, Palliser Bay
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6: PALLISER BAY / WELLINGTON
Our journey ends with a private helicopter transfer return to Wellington Airport for your onward journey. Recommended is an extension to the Marlborough region in South Island for more exquisite wines and gastronomy in the countryside of Nelson and Blenheim or adventures in the Marlborough Sounds for the Queen Charlotte Track hike.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of stunning pasture land in Hawke's Bay, the Farm at Cape Kidnappers enjoys a privileged location and setting to immerse in New Zealand's second-largest wine producing region - home to over 100 vineyards and more than 80 wine estates, spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and one of the most stunning golf courses in the world.
Nestled between the foothills of the Rimutaka Mountain range and the clifftops above the dramatic Palliser Bay, Wharekauhau Lodge offers an intimate Edwardian country manor experience with all the comforts of modern luxury to savour the best wines, gastronomy and adventure in the underrated and remarkable Wairarapa region.
