New Zealand Food, Wine & Beer Tours

New Zealand, with its diverse microclimates, is a world-renowned wine producing nation. There are several regions across the country known for producing high-quality wines. A wine tour is a fantastic way to learn about the local viticulture, taste exquisite wines, and enjoy the stunning landscapes that the vineyards often boast. Here are some of the most notable winery tours in New Zealand:

Marlborough: As New Zealand's largest wine region, Marlborough is synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc. Numerous tour operators offer trips to the area's top wineries, providing insights into the winemaking process and, of course, tastings of the celebrated wines.

Central Otago: Known for its exceptional Pinot Noir, Central Otago is a must-visit for wine enthusiasts. Tours here often involve visiting family-run vineyards, sampling a selection of wines, and enjoying the region's dramatic mountainous scenery.

Hawke's Bay: As the oldest wine region in New Zealand, Hawke's Bay is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Winery tours here allow visitors to taste a range of red and white wines while learning about the history of winemaking in the region.

Wairarapa: Though it is one of the smallest wine regions in the country, Wairarapa is known for its premium Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Tours here offer a more intimate experience due to the smaller size of the vineyards.

Nelson: This sun-drenched region is known for its aromatic white wines like Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Winery tours in Nelson often include a gourmet lunch, paired with the region's fantastic wines.

Auckland: Despite being a bustling city, Auckland has several vineyards on its outskirts. A tour here offers the opportunity to taste Bordeaux-style reds and crisp whites, with the convenience of being close to the city.

Canterbury and Waipara Valley: Known for its Pinot Noir and Riesling, a winery tour here would typically include tastings, vineyard tours, and sometimes a cellar door lunch.

Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, winery tours in New Zealand offer an array of experiences that promise to delight your senses. Remember to plan your visit ahead and check the availability of tours, as some vineyards may require pre-booking.

Foodie Tours

New Zealand's diverse food scene offers a plethora of gastronomic experiences. Whether it is tasting traditional Māori cuisine, enjoying fresh seafood, or exploring farmers' markets, foodie tours in New Zealand offer something for every palate. Here are some foodie tours you can consider:

• Auckland Food Tours: Explore the diverse food culture of Auckland with tours that take you through the city's best restaurants, cafés, and markets. Tasting plates often include a variety of ethnic cuisines given Auckland's multicultural makeup.
• Wellington Food Tours: Known as the culinary capital of New Zealand, Wellington's food tours can take you on a journey through its hidden foodie hotspots, craft beer breweries, and artisan coffee roasters.
• Queenstown Gourmet Food and Wine Tour: This tour includes tastings at some of the finest wineries and food establishments in the region. Sample locally produced cheeses, chocolates, and wines while enjoying stunning views of the countryside.
• Hawke's Bay Gourmet Odyssey: This foodie tour takes you around Hawke's Bay, a region known for its fresh produce, artisan gourmet goods, and fine wines.
• Rotorua Hangi Experience: Immerse yourself in traditional Māori culture by participating in a Hangi feast, where food is cooked using heated rocks in a pit oven.
• Christchurch Farmers' Market Tour: Sample fresh, local produce at the bustling Christchurch Farmers' Market, where you will find everything from artisan breads to locally made cheeses and wines.
• Nelson Seafood and Craft Beer Tour: This tour allows you to taste the best of what Nelson has to offer - fresh seafood and locally brewed craft beers.
• Dunedin Foodie Walking Tour: Explore Dunedin's vibrant food scene, visit some of the city's best eateries, and learn about the local history and architecture.
• Waiheke Island Food and Wine Tour: A short ferry ride from Auckland, Waiheke Island is known for its vineyards and olive groves. Enjoy a day of wine and olive oil tastings paired with locally sourced dishes.
• Fiordland Lobster and Seafood Experience: Venture to the remote and stunning Fiordland region for a day of fishing and feasting on the freshest seafood.

Each of these foodie tours offers a unique way to taste New Zealand's culinary offerings and learn about its rich food culture and history. Do not forget to book in advance as these tours can fill up quickly.

New Zealand's craft beer scene has seen significant growth over the past decade, with the country now boasting a diverse array of craft breweries. These breweries often use local ingredients to create unique and flavourful beers. The Craft Beer Trail is an exciting journey across the country that allows beer enthusiasts to explore this thriving industry. Here are some key stops on the Craft Beer Trail:

Wellington: Often referred to as the 'Craft Beer Capital', Wellington is home to several renowned craft breweries, including Garage Project, Parrotdog, and Tuatara Brewery. Many offer brewery tours, tastings, and even brewing classes.

Nelson: Known as the 'hop capital' of New Zealand, Nelson is where many of the country's hops are grown. Visit local breweries like Sprig & Fern or Hop Federation to sample beers that highlight these local flavours.

Auckland: This bustling city hosts several craft breweries. Brothers Beer offers a selection of over 200 local and international craft beers, while Urbanaut Brewing Co. invites visitors to taste their core range as well as special releases.

Christchurch: Christchurch has a growing craft beer scene with breweries such as Pomeroy’s, Cassels, and Three Boys Brewery leading the charge. The city also hosts the annual Great Kiwi Beer Festival, a must for any beer enthusiast.

Dunedin: Dunedin is home to several craft breweries like Emerson's and Speight's, both offering brewery tours and tastings. The Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival, held annually, is a fantastic way to experience the local craft beer scene.

Queenstown: Despite being more known for adventure sports, Queenstown also has a burgeoning craft beer scene. Visit Altitude Brewing or Searchlight Brewery to sample a variety of craft beers while taking in the beautiful surroundings.

Hamilton: Hamilton offers a growing craft beer scene with breweries such as Good George Brewing and Shunters Yard Brewery offering a range of unique and traditional craft beers.

Whether you are a craft beer aficionado or a curious traveller looking to sample local brews, the Craft Beer Trail in New Zealand offers a unique insight into the country's beer industry, complemented by the stunning natural beauty for which New Zealand is renowned. As always, remember to enjoy responsibly!

The Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, and their food culture, known as Kai, offers a unique culinary experience. Kai is centred around nature and sharing, and many traditional Māori dishes utilize ingredients sourced from the land and sea. Here are some Māori culinary experiences you might consider:

Hangi: This traditional Māori cooking method involves digging a pit in the ground, heating stones in the pit with a large fire, placing baskets of food on top, and then covering everything with earth for several hours. The result is a tender, smoky flavoured meal, typically including meats like chicken, pork, and mutton, and vegetables like sweet potatoes (kumara), potatoes, and cabbage.

Māori Cooking Workshops: Enrol in a cooking workshop to learn about Māori cuisine and its cooking methods. These workshops typically cover the preparation of traditional dishes, and you will have the chance to taste your creations.

Rewena Bread: Try your hand at making Rewena, a traditional Māori sourdough potato bread. Some food tours offer hands-on experiences in preparing and baking this bread.

Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village, Rotorua: Here, you can experience a traditional Hangi meal, cooked using geothermal heat. Guided tours also provide insights into Māori traditions and customs.

Māori Cultural Shows: In locations like Rotorua and Wellington, you can attend Māori cultural shows that include traditional dances, songs, and a feast of Māori cuisine.

Foraging Tours: Participate in a guided foraging tour to learn about native plants and their uses in Māori cuisine. These tours often conclude with a meal prepared using the foraged ingredients.

Seafood Gathering: Join a guided tour that includes gathering and preparing traditional seafood, such as shellfish, according to Māori customs.

Exploring Māori cuisine offers not just a taste of unique and delicious dishes, but also a deeper understanding and appreciation of Maori culture and traditions. It is an experience not to be missed when visiting New Zealand.

New Zealand offers a wealth of seafood experiences. From fishing trips and oyster farm visits to seafood cooking classes and dining on dishes made with the freshest catch, there is a seafood excursion for everyone. Here are some options you might consider:

Bluff Oyster Tours, Southland: Visit the town of Bluff during oyster season and join a tour to see how these renowned oysters are harvested. You will also get a chance to taste these delicacies fresh from the sea.

Kaikoura Seafood BBQ: Kaikoura, on the east coast of the South Island, is famous for its seafood due to the nutrient-rich waters brought in by the Kaikoura Canyon. Stop by the seafood BBQ on the beach to enjoy fresh crayfish and other seafood.

Marlborough Green-Lipped Mussel Cruise: Hop on a cruise in the Marlborough Sounds, where you will visit mussel farms, learn about the industry, and taste mussels fresh from the water, served with a local glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Akaroa Salmon Farm Visit: Just outside Christchurch, in the harbour town of Akaroa, visit a salmon farm and learn about sustainable aquaculture practices. Of course, tasting the fresh salmon is a highlight.

Fishing Charters: New Zealand has numerous fishing charters available for those who want a hands-on experience. Whether it is deep-sea fishing in the Bay of Islands, fly fishing in Taupo, or surfcasting in the Coromandel, you can catch your own dinner and even have it prepared by a local chef.

Whitebait Fritter Cooking Class: Whitebait, a type of small fish, is a delicacy in New Zealand. Join a cooking class to learn how to make whitebait fritters, a popular local dish.

Seafood Cooking Classes: In cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown, you can find cooking classes focused on seafood. Learn to prepare local seafood dishes with professional chefs and enjoy your creations afterwards.

Seafood Festivals: Festivals like the Havelock Mussel and Seafood Festival in Marlborough and the Whitianga Scallop Festival in Coromandel offer a chance to try a variety of seafood dishes, enjoy live entertainment, and participate in cooking demonstrations.

Each of these excursions offers a unique way to experience New Zealand's rich seafood bounty while enjoying the country's beautiful scenery and meeting its friendly people.

Farm to table tours is an excellent way to experience New Zealand's agricultural bounty and understand how local produce is grown, harvested, and transformed into delicious meals. These tours often include visits to farms, orchards, and artisan food producers, with opportunities to taste and purchase fresh, local products. Here are some farm to table tours that you might consider:

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Evening Banquet Tour, Matamata: This unique tour combines a visit to the famous Hobbiton movie set from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies with a special banquet feast. The feast includes locally sourced food and beverages.

Waikato Farm Tour: On this tour, you can visit a working dairy farm in the Waikato region, see how the farm operates, and enjoy a fresh farm-to-table lunch.

Bay of Plenty Kiwifruit Orchard Tour: Visit a local kiwifruit orchard in the Bay of Plenty, learn about how this iconic fruit is grown and harvested, and enjoy fresh kiwifruit and kiwifruit-based products.

Canterbury Cheesemongers, Christchurch: Visit this cheese shop and factory to see how artisan cheese is made using traditional methods and local milk. You will also have the chance to taste and purchase a variety of cheeses.

Farmers Market Tours: Join a guided tour of local farmers markets in cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Meet local growers and producers, sample fresh produce, and learn about New Zealand's diverse food products.

Otago Farmers Market, Dunedin: This tour starts with a visit to the famed market where you can sample and buy local Otago produce. Then, it proceeds to a cooking demonstration, where a local chef will show you how to prepare dishes using the market's produce.

Wairarapa Olive Oil Tour: Visit an olive grove in the Wairarapa region, learn about olive oil production, and taste freshly pressed olive oil.

Hawke's Bay Gourmet Food and Wine Tour: This comprehensive tour includes visits to local farms, orchards, and vineyards, with multiple tastings of fresh produce, artisan food products, and local wines.

These tours offer the opportunity to experience New Zealand's farm to table ethos firsthand, providing an understanding of the country's commitment to quality, freshness, and sustainability in food production.