Cure your Wanderlust with a Wine Tour around New Zealand
Before travel was put on hold, Booking.com research showed that 14%* of global travellers were likely to join a winery tour during one of their leisure trips in 2020. And a few years ago, Tourism New Zealand reported that 25% of international tourists to our fine shores sought out a wine experience of some kind**. While we wait for the borders to reopen, the time is ripe for Kiwi wine-lovers to take a holiday in one of our own beautiful wine regions and enjoy a drop while supporting the recovery of our local growers.
Further to this, as part of its mission to support tourism in New Zealand and encourage Kiwis to explore their own backyard, Booking.com is offering additional encouragement to those dreaming of a tipple among the vines this year. Kiwis can simply download and sign in to the Booking.com app to make a personalised wish list by ‘liking’ three accommodations, up until 30 June, to receive a $20 credit to use toward future travel. So what are you waiting for? Book yourself a trip to one of New Zealand’s wine hotspots today.
Waiheke Island is renowned for its beautiful scenery and just as beautiful wine, only a short ferry ride from Auckland City. Located in Oneroa, Cable Bay Views offers self-contained apartments and larger houses, all with stunning garden or water views. The property is perfectly situated between two of the island’s most-loved and well-known vineyards Mudbrick and Cable Bay, each featuring a number of dining options, cellar door sales and of course wine tastings. Both vineyards are a five-minute walk from the accommodation, providing easy access to some of the best wine on the island!
Central Otago produces the pinnacle of world-class Pinot Noir, and what better time to indulge in a great red wine than wintertime? Situated in Cromwell in Central Otago, Mt Michael Lodge features an outdoor pool, hot tub and a sun terrace set in a boutique vineyard, overlooking Lake Dunstan. Rockburn Wines’ cellar door is 5km from Mt Michael Lodge, while Carrick Wines is 9km from the property. If you feel like travelling a little further to get your Pinot-fix, there are a multitude of vineyards in Central Otago to explore.
The Marlborough wine region is by far New Zealand's largest, accounting for three quarters of the country's wine production, 70% of its vineyard area and 85% of its wine exports – the perfect destination for wine lovers wanting to go straight to the source! In the heart of Marlborough wine country, Blenheim’s Marlborough Lodge is nestled within 16 acres of secluded park lands. It is a 10-minute drive from Blenheim town centre and provides the perfect base for guests to explore this gourmand’s heaven. For oyster lovers, you could make your way to Oyster Bay on the tip of the Marlborough Sounds. Following UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s recent boasting about the colossal quantities of New Zealand wine and Oysters from the bay, they’re evidently some of the best in the world.
Located in Te Awanga in the Hawke's Bay region and with Elephant Hill Wine Estate a little under 3km away, Te Awanga Cottages provides accommodation fit for a wine lover’s dream. Hawke's Bay is the oldest wine region in New Zealand and the second largest. With a climate similar to the Bordeaux region of France, the Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand's leading producer of full-bodied red wines, so fans of Syrah and Merlot won’t be disappointed. Now that events are beginning to take place again, for those foodie lovers there is the Wallingford Truffle weekends which is on from 26-28 June. Who doesn’t love truffle?
Just over an hour away from Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, lies the charming Martinborough wine village, home to more than 20 boutique vineyards. Peppers Parehua Martinborough is the ideal getaway for wine lovers. Set on a large country estate with panoramic views of the Wairarapa wine-growing region, Peppers Parehua features an open-air bar and fine dining restaurant for those wanting to stay in the comfort of their accommodation, otherwise the region has an array of wineries on offer.
* Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 50,688 respondents across 29 markets. In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have travelled at least once in the past 12 months and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in November 2019.
** https://www.tourismnewzealand.com/news/wine-tourism-ripe-for-the-picking/