WAIHEKE ISLAND

Day 1 Cooking Class and Wineries

We start the day boarding our ferry to Waiheke Island and meet Julie Biuso at Shared Kitchen. This morning we will make real food from scratch and then enjoy a 3-course lunch. After lunch, we travel out to the eastern side of Waiheke Island for a tasting of the Flagship wines at Man O War. The exceptional Valhalla Chardonnay and Dreadnought Syrah are amongst the tastings we will enjoy. At Passage Rock, we will enjoy Waiheke’s most awarded Syrah.

Late afternoon we travel back to Auckland.

The evening is yours.

 

AUCKLAND CITY

Day 2 Explore

This morning we enjoy a relaxed breakfast in the Britomart Precinct downtown Auckland.

Today has been left open to allow you to explore the city or go further afield. Check out the Americas Cup Sailing Experience, Auckland Museum or go further afield and take a ferry to Devonport or  go even further to TiriTiri Matangi Island wildlife sanctuary.

Dinner – Degustation Dinner at The Grove

 

HAWKES BAY

Day 3 Wine Tour

We start the day with a visit to Brookfield’s renowned for aromatic wines as well as full bodied Bordeaux blends and a hillside Syrah.

Mid-morning, we drive out to Te Mata Peak through the Tuki Tuki Valley one most beautiful vineyard drives in New Zealand. The 360 degree views from Te Mata are simply amazing and look out on the fertile valley of the Heretaunga Plains.

Lunch will be at the Black Barn Bistro

This afternoon we explore the Gimblett Gravels sub region and visit 2 wineries. We meet with Lorraine Leheny & Warren Gibson of Bilancia. Bilancia is a small Hawkes' Bay producer of exceptional Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier and Syrah. We will also meet with Daniel Brennan owner of Decibel wines. Daniel will taste current and previous vintages of his single varietal Malbec.

Dinner Tonight –  Craggy Range

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Day 4 

This morning we explore the Art Deco Capital of Napier.

The afternoon is yours

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WELLINGTON

Day 5

This morning we drive south to Wellington. Mid-morning, we arrive at the Ruth Pretty, Culinary School.

Designed with international guests in mind this class is designed to showcase premium New Zealand food products with simple cooking techniques and contemporary presentation.

The evening is yours

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Day 6

Free day to Explore Wellington or venture north to Martinborough.

This evening we enjoy a 7 Course Degustation Dinner at Jano prepared by head chef Pierre-Alain Fenoux

 

MARLBOROUGH

Day 7

Today we delve into the luscious wines of Marlborough starting with a visit to the No1 Family Estate where you will taste vintage and non-vintage Methode.

After lunch, we explore Renwick sub region and meet with Anna & Jason Flowerday owners of Te Whare Ra. TWRs 11-hectare vineyard is one of the oldest in Marlborough and is Certified Organic.

Lunch will be at Wairau River

Dog Point Vineyard is a boutique and family oriented business producing

wines with a clear point of difference. We will meet with winemaker Ivan.

We then meet with Kevin Judd owner of Greywacke Wines and the founding

winemaker of Cloudy Bay.

 

Dinner Tonight - Herzog Degustation

 

Day 8

We arrive at Herzog in time for refreshments followed by a briefing from the Head Chef and his team about the morning ahead. You will be handed out the recipes and aprons for the class so that you can take notes during the class. The chefs will then take you through the preparation of your 3-course menu from the day's, freshly delivered market produce and herbs and vegetables from the Herzog potager. Then it's your turn to get involved (dig in, sweat, partake...) as much or as little as you like!

 

Following the class, you’ll enjoy a 3-course lunch where our Sommelier will also be on hand to present the matching Herzog wines. A collection of the day's recipes will be presented to each 'student' to take away as a memento of the day.

 

This afternoon is free to explore more wineries or just relax at the lodge

 

Dinner – BBQ at our lodge