What follows is an edited version of St. Helier's contribution on NZ
with inclusions of Salil's commentary on Central Otago. Again, all
comments, etc. welcomed.

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3t. New Zealand?

NZ is 26-28 hours from London Heathrow; 13 hours direct from LAX and
3-3.5 from Australia. International travelers will typically arrive in
Auckland in the morning, so plan on taking the rest of the day to rest
and recuperate, although there are plenty of wineries based in and
around Auckland city to visit. 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. 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 of
weeks.
The main wine regions of NZ are Hawke's Bay (Cab, Merlot, Chardonnay)
and Martinborough (Pinot Noir) on the North Island, and Marlborough
(Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir) and Central Otago (Pinot Noir) on the
South Island. The most popular mode of accommodation is the Motel;
however, a range of hotels, B&Bs etc are available around the country.
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.

Hawkes Bay (Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec)

Wineries:

Church Road Wines - Pernod Ricard's Hawkes Bay HQ, al fresco Lunches, museum
C J Pask Wines - Merlot, Malbec, Syrah
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

Dining:

Brookfield Vineyards - Luncheon restaurant
Clearview Estate - al fresco dining
Craggy Range - Restaurant

Martinborough (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc)

Wineries:

Ata Rangi - Superb Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris
Martinborough Vineyards - Classy Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling
Murdoch James Estate - Organic wines
Palliser Estate - A "must visit" in Martinborough, very flashy Sauvignon
Blanc

Dining:

Murdoch James Estate - café

Lodging:

Murdoch James Estate - vineyard accomodation

Marlborough (Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir)

Wineries:

Allan Scott Wines - Excellent white wines
Cloudy Bay - Iconic Sauvignon Blanc, must visit!
Highfield Estate & Restaurant - Very nice bubbles
Lawson's Dry Hills Wines - Very good Sauvignon & Gewürztraminer
Pernod Ricard Visitor Centre
Villa Maria Marlborough Winery - Large visitor centre
Wairau River Wines - Ageworthy Sauvignon Blanc
Wither Hills Vineyards - Iconic Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Noir

Dining:

Allan Scott Wines - Vineyard Restaurant
Herzog Winery & Restaurant - Best winery restaurant in NZ
Highfield Estate & Restaurant
Saint Clair Estate Wines - winery café
Wairau River Wines - Good winery restaurant

Canterbury: (Riesling; Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay)

Wineries:

Bell Hill Vineyard - By appointment only; is this NZs best Pinot Noir?
Pegasus Bay (Donaldson Family) - Excellent Riesling, Pinot Noir

Dining:

Pegasus Bay (Donaldson Family) - Luncheon restaurant

Central Otago (Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris)

Wineries:

Felton Road Wines - Noted Pinot Noir producer
Gibbston Valley Wines - Good white wines, but the Pinot Noir here is
stellar.
Mt. Difficulty - Great Pinot Noir, very good white wines, Merlot.
Peregrine Wines - Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are the standouts here.

Dining:

Akarua - Restaurant
Amisfield - Bistro
Gibbston Valley Wines - Restaurant & Cheesery
Mt. Difficulty Wines - Café


Websites:

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)

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Mark Lipton