Cuisine & Wine in New Zealand

New Zealand is rapidly climbing to the top of many travelers' bucket list of must see places and it's not surprising. Stretching across the two main islands and home to only 4.5 million people, New Zealand is a long way to travel, but it may be one of the most memorable journeys in your life. Called “Land of the Long White Cloud” by its indigenous Maori people, this clean, green paradise is renowned internationally for its stunning scenery, fresh produce, award-winning wines and friendly, welcoming people.

Innovative and delicious, New Zealand’s incredible cuisine and world-class wines are not to be missed – whether it’s fine dining, casual outdoor meals, a wine tasting at a cellar door or an authentic Maori hangi meal. For many, New Zealand’s wines are the main reason to visit, particularly the famed Marlborough region (included on our itinerary), which produces some of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs. New Zealand’s South Island landscape is majestic, stunning and unspoiled, and some say the "origin of national cuisine". Driving through it you can see vineyards, olive groves, stone-fruit orchards and lush, green grazing pastures. This agricultural wealth has led to a steep rise in artisan food producers and vintners creating award-winning wines. In the last decade, the local and organic food movement has grown and restaurants all over the country are taking advantage of their inspiring ingredients. Modern Kiwi cuisine and wine are now world class and there are amazing food and wine experiences to be had, as well as pristine, breathtaking scenery to explore and enjoy.

Western Springs-based tour operator, Global Gourmands, is offering the ultimate food and wine experience in New Zealand’s beautiful South Island. The itinerary tantalizes the tastebuds with meals in a range of eateries from the rustic dining rooms of wilderness lodges to pop-up restaurants and seafood caravans parked by the beach and wine tastings at some of the best boutique wineries in New Zealand.

Over 12 nights, food-lovers will enjoy a loop from Christchurch to Nelson that not only involves culinary delights, but also showcases scenery ranging from sleepy east-coast beaches, to the gold rush towns of Central Otago, snow-capped mountains of the remote west and the glorious Marlborough Sounds.

Tour Details

Beginning in Christchurch on February 16, 2017 the group will travel south the following day to Dunedin, via the coastal town of Moeraki where they will dine at Fleur’s Place, owned by one of New Zealand’s best known chefs, Fleur Sullivan.

The leisurely-paced trip features two nights in Dunedin’s Hotel Distinction (in the 1930s-built former Chief Post Office); three nights in Queenstown’s St Moritz Hotel; two nights at beautiful Waonui Forest Retreat eco lodge situated next door to a geo-thermal spring and spa; and four nights in the Rutherford Hotel, Nelson - in the heart of Sauvignon Blanc country.

Tour highlights include an amble through Dunedin’s Farmers Market in the grounds of the stunning 19th century railway station, a pop-up dinner fashioned by Dunedin’s Food Design Institute (the only college offering a design-led culinary arts degree in the world); craft-beer tasting in the gold rush town of Clyde; visits to four celebrated wineries in Queenstown including Chard Farm, an ‘ocean to alps’ river boat safari along the Waiatoto River; degustation dinners; lunch at the famed Herzog Bistro in Blenheim (along with visits to the cellar doors of three other vineyards) and a gourmet sailing cruise through the waters of Tasman Bay in the Marlborough Sounds.

For more information, Global Gourmands is hosting an informational evening with the expert guide from New Zealand on Monday, October 24. For more information and to register, click on this eventbrite link.

Tour dates from February 16 to 28, 2017. Custom pre-and post-tour extensions can be arranged.

Land-only cost is $6670.00 a person twin-share; single supplement. $2200.

Please visit GlobalGourmands.com or call Claudia Royston at 708-305-7354 for more information.

Email: croyston@globalgourmands.com

Global Gourmands was started by two Abercrombie & Kent alumni, Western Springs resident Claudia Royston and her business partner Susan Gillato. With a passion for food and travel - and lots of experience in both - the company was born out a desire to share their view of the world through authentic culinary experiences with people who love small-group, hand-crafted, luxury tours.