Gourmet New Zealand
Food glorious food. Gourmet New Zealand is a trip in its own right as the country is full of culinary delights, from fresh seafood to home grown roasted lamb and even great chocolate confectioneries. New Zealand is also rather famously known for its wine; therefore visitors could spend their holiday indulging if nothing else.
For vineyards, a great place to start is Hawke's Bay on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. From Hawke's Bay, drive via rolling green countryside to the south east coast of the North Island (90 minutes by road from Wellington) and visit Martinborough wine growing region for private guided tours, as well as great cuisine, hiking, horse riding and clay shooting on the estate.
For more varieties of vineyard locations hop on a ferry or domestic flight across the Cook Strait to Blenheim and the province of Marlborough at the top of the South Island. The Marlborough region is endowed with beautiful landscapes and is well known around the world for its wines. Also a great gourmet spot, the local speciality is huge green-lipped mussels, perfect with a crisp glass or two of Marlborough wine. Spend a day of private guided touring in this renowned wine growing area featuring some of the best Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand has to offer. Other activities available in the vicinity include whale-watching, fly fishing on one of the many local rivers and boat trips on the Marlborough Sounds waterways. Sharing a coastline with Marlborough is The Abel Tasman National Park, where food and wine remains first class with a heavy focus on local seafood; many great restaurants are located along the winding 30 mile coastal track.
What better way to compliment fine wine than with fine food. All of the food is very fresh in New Zealand, and they are very proud of this. If visitors want fresh mussels, Bluff oysters, crayfish, you name it, they will have it. The great thing about New Zealand is that there are many coastal options to visit, so it would be criminal if the seafood wasn't fresh. As well as mouth watering seafood, the meat and fresh produce are second to none in quality and variety. Those who think the British do a good roast clearly haven't tried a gourmet Kiwi one.
The lodges all have incredible chefs, many of whom are English funnily enough. The lodges embody all of the wonderful food/wine elements by giving visitors lots of it when they stay. Some of the luxury lodges daily rate includes a five course fine dining dinner menu, with a different wine for each…Amazing.
