Winery Tours in New Zealand? Please comment with your recommendations

[nini]

We will be doing a New Zealand itinerary in beginning at the end of March 2021.

Sydney is pre- cruise for a few days.

Please share information regarding your suggestions for private winery tours that are fun,

informative, and relaxed (not rushed like cattle). We still have nasty memories of a ship sponsored

"winery tour" in Santorini which was horrible.

Our ports are: Dunedin (Port Chambers), Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland,

Bay of Islands

 

Thank so much!

[frantic36]

In Auckland we caught the half hour ferry over to Waiheke Island and did a private group tour with friends. We used Ananda Tours but there are quite a few and you can join a small group tour. The ferry is an 10-15 minute easy walk if reasonably fit from where the ship docks.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g285729-Activities-c36-Waiheke_Island_North_Island.html

 

Waiheke Island wineries are some of the best in New Zealand in my opinion and my American friends.

 

Julie

Edited February 22, 2020 by frantic36

[Globaliser]

19 hours ago, nini said:

... Wellington ...

 

Rent a car and drive yourself over to the Wairarapa, the wine area around Martinborough.

[nini]

Thank you to both of you! A few years ago, I was introduced to a Kim Crawford

Sauvignon Blanc and fell in love with it (grapefruit in a bottle). Now I want to 

try lots of New Zealand wines.

[clcmdse]

We just returned from NZ and had one of the best tours in Hawkes Bay with The Winemaker's Tour.  It is a private tour that costs a little more than others, but it is well worth it.  Husband and wife who own a vineyard and family farm, extremely knowledgeable and personable. It was a full day -  We visited four wineries, ate lunch at a beautiful winery (cost separate), and were treated to tea and dessert in their home.  We could not have asked for a better experience!  They fill up quickly so doing research now is a plus.

 

Catherine

[macaroni]

From Auckland take the Waiheke ferry and use the hop on hop off bus...get off at whatever wineries you want...some really beautiful ones!