Attention "Mark Lipton" & "cwdjrxyz"
Initial contribution - needs chapter number !!!

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New Zealand

Getting he NZ is 26-28 hours from London Heathrow; 13 hours direct
from LAX and 3-3½ from Australia.

Arrival: Auckland International is probable port of entry; the
majority of long haul flights arrive (conveniently) early morning, so the
suggestion is to use the day of arrival to rest and recuperate - although
there are plenty of wineries based in and around Auckland city to visit.

Driving: NZers drive on the left - and owing to a lack of
suitable public transport (servicing wine-making regions) driving is
virtually the only option available to the intrepid visitor. In Auckland,
Hawkes Bay & Marlborough mini-bus wine tours are available (generally only
on weekends). Rental cars are plentiful, and inexpensive. Google and reserve
on-line.

Geography: NZ comprises two main islands, both of which contain
several winemaking regions. From the far north to Central Otago stretches
1,000 miles (1,600km) - so a tour can take as little as four / five days
(Hawkes Bay / Marlborough) - or a couple weeks.

If one is journeying to NZ - suggest the 8 day extended abridged trip. This
entails -
Day 1 flying into Auckland early morning: R&R or visit to Villa Maria
Winery (near Auckland International Airport); Day 2 - rental car drive south
through thermal region of Rotorua / Lake Taupo to Napier, Hawkes Bay; Day 3
Winery visits Hawkes Bay; Day 4 drive south - take in Martinborough -
overnight in Wellington city, ready for earliest sailing on ferry to South
Island. Day 5 Cross Cook Strait - short drive to Marlborough - all day in
Marlborough. Day 6 Marlborough - drive down east coast to Canterbury
(wineries) - overnight in Christchurch. Day 7 Scenic drive Chch to Central
Otago (4 hours) wineries. Day 8 Wineries in morning - flight to Auckland in
afternoon to outward flight.

Wineries: There are now over 500 winemakers in NZ; however, many
do not have visiting facilities. The usual on-line research first will save
much time.

Accommodation: The most popular mode of accommodation is the Motel;
however, a range of hotels, B&Bs etc are available around the country. Every
town and city has a wide selection of accommodation to choose from, and
reservations, while recommended, are mandatory only during peak holiday
seasons (December - February)

Many wineries do not have visitor facilities; those that do welcome
visitors, generally without reservation; tasting is normally free (those
that do charge will refund off purchase). Respectfully, it is suggested
that a phone call, explaining that you are an overseas visitor may pay
dividends, with a private tour and chat to the winemaker. Point out that you
may not be purchasing - this is acceptable in the case of an overseas
visitor - you will still get an A1 reception.

Like most New World winemaking countries, wineries vary in size from the
family run, boutique sized operation to huge visitor centres. Many contain
restaurants; others offer al fresco or café styled dining.

One aspect to the NZ winemaking experience is that many wineries will also
have estates in other key winemaking regions: so, you may expect a Hawkes
Bay winery to offer wines from Marlborough etc.

Recommendations:

Hawkes Bay: (Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec)
Brookfield Vineyards (Luncheon Restaurant)
Church Road Wines (Pernod Ricard's Hawkes Bay HQ - Al Fresco Lunches;
museum)
C J Pask Wines (Merlot, Malbec, Syrah)
Clearview Estate (Al Fresco dining)
Craggy Range (Restaurant)
Esk Valley Wines (High quality Bordeaux blends)
Sileni Estates (Epicurean Centre)
Stonecroft Wines (Excellent Syrah, Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay)
Te Mata Estate (Iconic NZ Cabernet-Merlot)


Martinborough (Wairarapa, Wellington Region): (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay,
Pinot Gris, Sauvignon)
Ata Rangi (Superb Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris)
Martinborough Vineyards (Classy Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling)
Murdoch James Estate (Organic, Vineyard accommodation, café)
Palliser Estate (A "must visit" in Martinborough)


Marlborough: (Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir)
Allan Scott Wines (Vineyard Restaurant)
Cloudy Bay (Iconic must visit!)
Herzog Winery & Restaurant (Best winery restaurant in NZ)
Highfield Estate & Restaurant (Accommodation, Restaurant, very nice
bubbles - Elstree Cuvée Brut)
Lawson's Dry Hills Wines (Very good Sauvignon & Gewürztraminer)
Pernod Ricard Visitor Centre
Saint Clair Estate Wines (winery café)
Villa Maria Marlborough Winery (Large visitor centre)
Wairau River Wines (Good winery restaurant)
Wither Hills Vineyards (Iconic Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Noir)


Canterbury: (Riesling; Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay)
Bell Hill Vineyard (By appointment only - Tiny operation: Is this NZs
best Pinot Noir?)
Pegasus Bay (Donaldson Family) Luncheon Restaurant; Excellent
Riesling, Pinot Noir)


Central Otago: (Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris)
Akarua (Restaurant)
Amisfield (Bistro)
Felton Road Wines (Noted Pinot producer)
Gibbston Valley Wines (Restaurant & Cheesery)
Mt. Difficulty Wines (Café)



Links:
http://www.cuisine.co.nz/index.cfm?pageID=6&r=5
(Excellent links)
http://www.nzwine.com/regions/
(Good lists and links)
http://www.newzealand.com/travel
(Good travel info)
http://destinationnz.co.nz/
(Travel Info)
http://www.nzedge.com/media/archives...tyle-wine.html
(NZ Wine News)

st.helier wrote:
> Attention "Mark Lipton" & "cwdjrxyz"
> Initial contribution - needs chapter number !!!

Very good, milud. It will be assimilated by week's end.

Mark Lipton
FAQ feeder

Mark Lipton wrote:
> Mark Lipton
> FAQ feeder

There's something in your inbox on the same (well, mostly Aus - and a
bit on Central Otago).

Thanks for the information though St. H - only touched the tip of
Marlborough (Kaikoura - went to the winery; decent whites and a
gorgeous sticky Riesling) when last in NZ. Going back and devoting some
time to the region is definitely in the plans in the next few years.

Salil

Salil wrote:

> There's something in your inbox on the same (well, mostly Aus - and a
> bit on Central Otago).

Yup, got it. It'll get incorporated alongside St. H.'s entry. It'll be
a few days, though.

Mark Lipton