Wine Country
Posted on May 12, 2008 under Uncategorized | No CommentMention a wine tasting vacation and most people think of France’s burgundy region, Germany’s Rhineland or California’s Napa Valley. Few would think of New Zealand.
Nestled deep in the South Pacific, New Zealand seems an unlikely wine producing country. Far better known as a producer of dairy and meat products, it evokes images of sheep grazing on rugged mountain slopes and vast expanses of emerald green meadows.
Closer examination, however, reveals that vineyards and wineries are as common a sight as the millions of sheep and cattle that dot the landscape. There are, in fact, ten established wine regions in New Zealand producing a diverse collection of cool climate wines with distinctive varietal flavours and boutiques.
Increasingly, these wines are collecting gold medals at international competitions. New Zealand Sauvingon Blanc is in great demand worldwide, while the Chardonney, Reisling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvingon, and Merlot are gaining fast recognition. Many major airlines (Air New Zealand, British Airways) now feature these wines on their international flights, providing a pleasant and enjoyable surprise for their passengers.
From the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island, there are over 300 wineries that offer wine tasting, tours and cellar sales. Many provide dining facilities – ranging from picnic areas to five star restaurants.
The main wine regions (from north to south) are Northland, Auckland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wellington in the North Island and , Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, and Central Otago in the South Island .
The best time to visit is January / February when it is summer (remember this is the southern hemisphere) and the vineyards are emerald green. Check in at each regions tourist center to find out more about their wineries. Most regions offer wine tours and trail maps.
For more information, check out this website: New Zealand Wine
Queenstown is set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, with The Remarkables mountain range as a dramatic backdrop. The town’s streets, lined with up-market shops, cool bars and any number of restaurants and nightspots, attract visitors from all parts of the world looking for outdoor adventure and natural beauty. Besides adventure and extreme sports such as white-water rafting, jetboating, hang glliding, snowboarding, and bungy jumping, there are more sedate Queenstown attractions such as steamboat lake cruises, mountain sightseeing, gold panning and trout fishing. Trelawn Cottages, just a 5-minute drive from central Queenstown, offer quality boutique accommodation. Must-visits include, Queenstown Waterfront, Queenstown Gardens, Skyline Gondola, and the Kiwi and Birdlife Park. Other Queenstown attractions, further from the town, include Milford Sound. Although Queenstown is a popular winter destination, its scenic beauty can better be appreciated in warmer months when fishing, golfing, wine tasting and boating are better enjoyed.
Christchurch, midway down the East Coast of the South Island, is the South Island’s largest city. Tree-lined streets, traditional parks and heritage architecture give the city an English feel. From the spire of the Gothic Revival Christchurch Cathedral, you get a great view of the city. Be sure to visit the International Antarctic Centre, the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and the Canterbury Museum. The Grand Chancellor Hotel is conveniently located in the centre of the CBD.
An orderly city, Wellington is New Zealand’s political, cultural and shopping capital, set on a hillside in the south of the North Island. Attractions include heritage buildings, fine cultural institutions and museums, extensive public gardens and a vibrant city centre with trendy alfresco dining and excellent shopping. Outside the city is the East Harbour Regional Park, with its sheltered bays, views over Wellington Harbour and access to historic Pencarrow lighthouse. If you stay at the Mecure at the upper end of Willis Street, close to the city centre, you’ll be close to the Museum of New Zealand Te papa, Wellington Botanic Gardens, Museum of Wellington City and Sea, and Wellington Waterfront. Attractions outside the city include the East City Regional Park, and Karori Wildlife Park.
New Zealand’s largest city, set around a lovely sheltered harbour, is a lively, multicultural city with beautiful beaches, heritage buildings, excellent museums, fine public gardens and a bustling city centre. The city’s mild weather encourages an outdoor lifestyle and this includes alfresco dining, particularly on the water’s edge. A stay at inner city hotels such as Latitude 37, a cosmopolitan waterfront apartment complex located in the Viaduct Harbour, or Sky City in the heart of Auckland, is just perfect for access to the attractions and shops. In fact, the city centre has lots of excellent shopping opportunities, from fashion outlets featuring local designers, to major world brand-name outlets. Queen Street and the little side streets running off it have many specialty shops selling quality New Zealand arts and crafts. Must-visits include Sky Tower, Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Museum and the pretty Auckland Botanic Gardens. Other Auckland attractions outside the city include the Waitakere Ranges, Waiheke Island and Devonport.