30/08/2026
The 15-night New Zealand itinerary I’d design for w**e lovers 🍷
If food and w**e are a big part of how you like to travel, this is the kind of New Zealand itinerary I’d put together for you.
I would allow three nights in each region where time allows. That gives you two full days: one to explore the vineyards, and another to experience the wider region and enjoy the location you are staying.
Start on Waiheke Island, an easy ferry journey from Auckland and a natural first stop. Stay at ŌMANA and spend one day visiting vineyard estates, with another for the island’s beaches, coastal scenery and local short hikes.
Continue to the Hawke’s Bay and Rosewood Cape Kidnappers. Hawke’s Bay works particularly well for travellers who enjoy combining w**e with food, cycling and beautiful country landscapes. I would include an e-bike day through the vineyard areas, while leaving time to enjoy the estate and explore more of the region.
Wharekauhau Country Estate makes a wonderful base for the Wairarapa. Spend a day in Martinborough, where the boutique vineyards and compact village make it easy to move between cellar doors and stop for lunch. Your second day can be spent exploring Palliser Bay as well as the experiences available at Wharekauhau.
In Marlborough, stay at The Marlborough, surrounded by vineyards and close to the region’s local producers. I would use one day for a private vineyard and dining experience, then spend the second exploring the Marlborough Sounds.
Finish in Central Otago at Gibbston Valley Lodge. From here, you can e-bike to cellar doors and finish with a long lunch. For a second “w**e day”, I would take you further into Central Otago to experience areas some of the incredible w**eries based at Bannockburn.
What makes this route work is how different the five regions are: coastal vineyards on Waiheke, stunning landscapes in the Hawke’s Bay, boutique producers around Martinborough, the vines of Marlborough, and Central Otago’s finest.
It brings together five beautiful stays with enough time to enjoy the food, w**e and experiences of each region.
If this sounds like your kind of New Zealand, get in touch and we can start planning your own version.