January 20th to February 2nd, 2026
New Zealand Wines and More
January 20th to February 2nd, 2026
Hosted by Cote Bonneville’s Kerry Shiels
Cote Bonneville club members get first crack at this tour. January 16th will be the start of open registration for non-members. Non-members should complete the form now to hold their waitlist priority.
Day 0 Sunday, January 18th
Depart from USA. It takes two days to reach Auckland. Plan to arrive the morning of the 20th to meet the coach and local guide. Consider going in a day or two early to adjust to the time and/or explore Bay of Islands or more of Auckland on your own. See FAQ for additional details about flights.
Day 1 Tuesday, January 20th
Arrive in Auckland in the morning. Coach will meet the group at the airport for an 11:00 AM departure for the first day of the tour. Drive the short distance to Westbrook Winery for light lunch and wine tasting. Afternoon orientation tour of Auckland. Late afternoon check in to central hotel. Welcome dinner near the hotel this evening. Overnight Auckland (BLD)
Day 2 Wednesday, January 21st
Departing just after breakfast to Waiheke Island for a tour and late-morning wine tasting at Mudbrick Vineyard. Free time for lunch, potentially more wine, and afternoon exploration with a transportation pass and return ferry ticket to downtown Auckland. Dinner near the hotel later this evening. Overnight Auckland (BD)
Day 3 Thursday, January 22nd
Depart after breakfast for Lake Taupo. On the way, we stop at the Waitomo Glow Worms Cave. Enjoy lunch on your own at the site, followed by a tour of the underground caverns. We push on to Taupo after our tour with an expected arrival at the hotel about 5:00 PM. Dinner will be near the hotel later this evening. Overnight Lake Taupo (BD)
Day 4 Friday, January 23rd
A full day of touring the area, starting with a stop at Huka Falls, followed by a tour honey making tour at the Huka Honey Hive. Break for lunch on your own in town, then an afternoon lake cruise to see the Māori carvings. Later this evening, we’ll attend a Hāngī Feast with Haka Ceremony. Overnight Taupo (BD)
Day 5 Saturday, January 24th
Depart mid-morning to Napier on Hawke’s Bay. Late morning visit with a light lunch and wine tasting at the Linden Estate is Eskdale. In the afternoon, we will make a second stop at Crab Farm Winery to sample their wines. Arrive at our Napier hotel about 4:30 with some free time to shop and explore the town. Dinner this evening near the hotel. Overnight Napier (BD)
Day 6 Sunday, January 25th
Morning walking tour of the Art Deco town of Napier. Break for your own in town for lunch. Afternoon visits for wine at Mission Estate Winery followed by Church Road Winery. Dinner is on your own this evening. Overnight Napier. (B)
Day 7 Monday, January 26th
We depart for our first wine tasting the day shortly after breakfast. Trinity Hill Wines will be our first stop followed by Hawke’s Ridge Wine Estate for light bites and additional wine tasting. We’ll make a final stop at Brookfields Vinyards before returning to the hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening. Overnight Napier (BL)
Day 8 Tuesday, January 27th
We’ve got a morning flight to Christchurch this morning. We’ll depart the hotel at 7:15 AM for a 7:30 check-in. Our Air New Zealand flight departs Napier at 9:00 AM, arrives in Christchurch at 10:40 AM. Once we gather our bags, we’ll be met by a coach for transportation to the downtown center. It’s too early to check in to the hotel, so we’ll break for lunch and a little free time in New Regent Street.
In the afternoon we’ll go for a punting excursion on the Avon River through the botanic garden, followed by turn on the Christchurch Gondola for panoramic views of the city, Lyttleton Harbor, and the Pacific. Return to the hotel by 5:00 PM. Dinner near the hotel later this evening. Overnight Christchurch (BD)
Day 9 Wednesday, January 28th
We’ll spend the day to the South on the Banks Peninsula with time in Akaroa, a French settlement dating back to the mid-1800s. We’ll begin the day with a tasting at French Peak Vineyard, followed by free time in the town for lunch on your own. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Akaroa Winery, and a final stop at Caldera Estate Vineyards before returning to our Christchurch hotel. Overnight Christchurch (B)
Day 10 Thursday, January 29th
We depart Christchurch just after breakfast on our way into the South Alps. We’ll make a stop in the picturesque town of Geraldine to stretch our legs, have lunch, and shop. Expect to arrive at the Lake Tekapo hotel about 3:00 PM for free time for hiking and exploring. Dinner will be at the hotel later this evening with an evening stargazing session late. Overnight Lake Tekapo (BD)
Day 11 Friday, January 30th
Depart after breakfast for Queenstown. En-route we’ll stop at the Bannockburn Hotel for wine tasting and lunch. A second tasting takes place that afternoon at Misha’s Vineyard Tasting room. We arrive in Queenstown about 5:00 PM. Dinner is on your own this evening. Overnight Queenstown (BL)
Day 12 Saturday, January 31st
Start the day with a sightseeing cruise on Lake Wakatipu. Break for lunch on your own in town, followed by a trip up the Queenstown Gondola and Luge ride to the bottom. Possibilities for an optional bungee jump at Kawarau Bridge. Overnight Queenstown (B)
Day 13 Sunday, February 1st
Our day of wine tasting in the Central Otago Valley. We depart the hotel just after breakfast with a stop at Grey Ridge Vineyard. A second visit and light lunch at Wooing Tree Winery. A short break for exploring in the town of Cromwell before our last tasting of the day at Mount Difficulty Wines. Return to Queenstown this evening about 5:00 PM. Farewell dinner tonight near the hotel. Overnight Queenstown (BLD)
Day 14 Monday, February 2nd
Departure day for home. Since most of the suggested flights leave in the afternoon (connecting via AKL and another US or Canadian hub), you’ll have some free time in town before we are taken to the airport. Suggestions are the Kiwi Wildlife Park, shopping, or a stroll through Queenstown Gardens. Both are centrally located.
What’s included:
13 nights Accommodations in New Zealand
Most meals, including:
8 Dinners
4 lunches
All Breakfasts
Motor coach transportation
Admission to attractions as indicated
Wine Tasting as indicated
Services of local guides throughout the tour
Limited to 14 guests
Pricing:
This tour is priced at $6450 per person. Single supplement is $900. A non-refundable deposit of $1500 per person is necessary to confirm your place on the tour. Balance is due October 1st, 2025.
Prices above may be paid by Visa or Mastercard. Guests choosing to pay by check will save $200. This discount is deducted from the final payment.
About flights to New Zealand
Expect fares to be in the $1400-$1600 range for coach.
From the USA to New Zealand:
NZ is just west of the international date line. You lose 1-2 days traveling to Auckland. You gain time when you return to the US. Since we start the tour the morning of January 20th, your flight will depart the USA on the 18th. Plan a flight that arrives on the 20th before 11:00 AM.
Suggested carriers include:
American via DFW or LAX
United via SFO
From New Zealand to the USA
Shoot for a flight departing in the early afternoon. You’ll be making connections from Queenstown (ZRH) through Auckland (AKL) and probably LAX, DFW, or SFO. Any flight departing around 2PM-3PM is ideal.
Because payments are non-refundable for this tour, you should consider cancellation insurance. Here are links to two top-rated companies. Each will provide a free no-obligation quote for your travel plans.
If you have any questions about this tour, please contact Brad Cilley at brad@nwtravel.com or by phone at 425 375 2676.