Arrive in Queenstown on suggested Qantas or Air New Zealand flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements including flights, a private hotel transfer and a room category upgrade.

Tour arrangements commence at 17:00 with a welcome briefing by your tour leader, Peter Bourne, followed by a guided wine tasting at the hotel with legendary New Zealand winemaker Grant Morgan of Valli Estate.

In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with Peter and your fellow travellers at one of Queenstown’s famed dining establishments.

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This morning, travel to the historic goldmining town of Cromwell for a tasting at Quartz Reef Winery. Named for the large quartz deposit that lies beneath the winery and infuses its vines with rich minerals, Quartz Reef was built on the site of Bendigo Station. Here two-time New Zealand Winemaker of the Year Rudi Bauer has quickly established the winery’s reputation for méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines and cool-climate varietals inspired by his Austrian upbringing.

Continue to the shores of Lake Wanaka for a tasting and lunch at Maude Wines. This small, family-owned winery produces handcrafted wines from a single vineyard, which complement the French-inspired cuisine at their Bistro Gentil restaurant. Taste the Dineen family’s sauvignon blanc and pinot noir as you enjoy a sumptuous meal from chef Mario Rodrigues, who fuses traditional European cuisine with local New Zealand produce.

After lunch, venture to the outskirts of Wanaka to Rippon Winery, whose vines look out across the lake to Mount Alta in the distance. Rippon’s microclimate is greatly enhanced by its proximity to the Southern Alps, which shield the estate from heavy rainfall. Alongside their mature vine pinot noir, the winery also grows some unusual European varieties such as gamay and gewürztraminer. Enjoy a tasting at Rippon as you take in the scenery of Ruby Island and Lake Wanaka before returning to Queenstown in the late afternoon.

The evening is at leisure to relax or enjoy some of Queenstown’s culinary offerings.

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 Enjoy views of Lake Hayes this morning en route to the charming settlement of Arrowtown on the banks of the Arrow River. Home to a well-preserved 19th century main street and beautifully restored shopfronts and cottages, Arrowtown was first established during the height of the Otago gold rush in 1868. Relish in a private cheese tasting before enjoying time at leisure to wander Arrowtown’s lively Sunday farmers markets.

Transfer to the rustic Amisfield Bistro and Cellar door, designed by Christchurch architect Charlie Nott in 2006. Formerly a merino sheep station, Amisfield lies on one of the largest single vineyard estates in the Central Otago region and is famed for its three-hatted bistro, where 2019’s Good Food Awards Chef of the Year Vaughan Mabee creates cuisine showcasing the best local and seasonal produce. Enjoy lunch in the bistro accompanied by a tasting of Amisfield’s organic wines.

In the afternoon, continue to the spectacularly-located Chard Farm Vineyard for a tasting of its food-driven wines. One of the pioneering wineries in the region, Chard Farm’s Tuscan-inspired cellar door and 50-acre vineyard is situated on an historic vegetable farm and orchard in the Cromwell basin.

Return to Queenstown in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

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Today, explore the offerings of Bannockburn and Cromwell, the warmest and driest of Central Otago’s sub-regions and whose climate nourishes both wine grapes and stone fruit.

Begin with a tasting at Two Paddocks Red Bank Farm and Vineyard, an organic winery owned by actor Sam Neill. Here, Two Paddocks’ pinot noir and riesling vines share the grounds with vegetable patches, lavender fields, farm animals and orchards, taking advantage of the warmer climate and lush soil.

Continue to Mount Difficulty Winery for a tasting of fourth-generation vigneron Matt Dicey’s award-winning wines. Enjoy a light lunch on the terrace of the winery’s restaurant as you appreciate spectacular panoramic views of Bannockburn and the surrounding valleys.

After lunch, transfer to Felton Road, arguably the most prestigious winery in the Central Otago region. Experience a tasting of their renowned cool-climate chardonnays and pinot noirs, each grown in a single block allowing for fascinating contrasts of terroir.

This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner at Queenstown’s famous Botswana Butchery, with roaring log fires and a view over Lake Wakatipu. Head chef Warwick Taylor’s menu has a strong focus on wild and organic foods, enhanced by an extensive wine list highlighting local producers.

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Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

Make your way to Queenstown Airport for suggested Qantas or Air New Zealand flights to Australia. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, a private airport transfer and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

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