A trip with a difference as we enjoy a week of music making together. We form a choir, learn songs, enjoy movement, yodelling, singing classes and lots of fun, and then present a finale concert together, all while drinking wine and eating great food in the Barossa Valley.
THE GREAT NEW ZEALAND FOOD AND WINE TRAIL
15 April - 01 May 2026
Join us on a 17-day tour of 6 great wine regions throughout New Zealand, to savour the unique wine and food in each region, and enjoy speciality
tours, activities and five of our own exclusive themed concerts in great locations!
$12480 per person twin share
Single Room Supplement Add $3250
Initial Deposit On Booking $2000
Second Deposit Due: 15 October 2025 $3000
Final Balance Due: 19 December 2025
Days
17
Days
Highlights
6 great wine regions,
gourmet food experiences, cooking class, tastings, exclusive concerts including our special ANZAC day concert, plus great special
tours
Group Size
32
Travellers
Meals
All breakfasts
10 Lunches
12 Dinners
Wine, chocolate
and beer tastings
Included drinks
at selected meals
Mobility
Easy Tour
SPECIAL FEATURES
•The Operatunity Great NZ Food and Wine Trail includes 6 great wine regions: Waiheke Island, West
Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, Marlborough and Central Otago, staying at 4 and 5 star hotels: Auckland (3 nights), Napier (3 nights), Martinborough (3 nights), Blenheim (3 nights) and Queenstown (4 nights).
• Extraordinary food and wine experiences including wine tasting at many premium vineyards in each region, talks about wine production and harvests, dining at award-winning restaurants, high tea events, Tui beer tasting, Asian cooking class, tour of Chelsea Sugar Factory, cheese and chocolate tours and a chance to visit and shop at food markets and specialty food stores.
• 5 fabulous concerts from our hosts: Lunch at Poderi Crisci with wine pairing and a concert entitled Viva Italia presented by our hosts and guest tenors in their wine cellar, special event at the famous Mission Estate Winery with Art Deco concert: The Dancing Years, dinner at Poppies Martinborough with That’s Amore, presenting famous songs from the great Crooners, a private, poignant ANZAC day concert in a chapel entitled Lest We Forget as we pay tribute through song to our war heroes, and a grand finale with
a concert entitled The Best of the Best!
• This tour is not all about eating and drinking as we include many special tours such as the gannet colony at Muriwai, historic houses, chapel concerts, Aotearoa Stonehenge, Greytown, Hobbiton, Taupo, Omaka Aviation Centre, Mt Bruce bird sanctuary, cruise on Lake Wakatipu, Arrowtown, Art deco tour in vintage cars and more!
• Hosted by Russell Dixon, who had his own cooking show on TV, has had 10 years experience in the food and wine industry and was a chef, now of course our fabulous singer and tour manager. Joining him will be the fabulous singers Kate Lineham and John Bayne.
MAP GUIDE:
1. AUCKLAND (3 nights)
2. NAPIER (3 nights)
3. MARTINBOROUGH (3 nights)
4. BLENHEIM (3 nights)
5. QUEENSTOWN (4 nights)
SIX GREAT WINE REGIONS OF NZ
Waiheke Island
This picturesque island is on the boundary of the Auckland region and contributes to its unique vista. The warm, dry maritime climate promotes intensity, varietal depth, and purity of fruit. Long renowned
for its exciting Cabernet blends, the Island has more recently been applauded for gutsy Syrah, elegant Chardonnay, deep, fruit-filled Montepulciano and Petit Verdot, fragrant Viognier and Pinot Gris wines.
West Auckland
Many of New Zealand’s oldest wine families still call this warm and fertile region home, after settling here nearly 100 years ago.
The sub-region’s old Chardonnay and Merlot vines produce fruit that is used to create stylish wines, which have gained much international acclaim.
Hawke’s Bay
New Zealand’s second largest wine region, sunny Hawke’s Bay has been an abundant source of fine wine since 1851. Vines were first planted in 1851 by Marist missionaries and Hawke’s Bay enjoys a
significant international reputation for producing some of the country’s best wines, red and white. Hawke’s Bay is best known for its Red Blends and Chardonnay but aromatic whites are consistently good and Syrah is incredibly impressive.
Martinborough
Martinborough is still widely considered to be one of the country’s prime wine regions. Its claim to fame is the exceptional quality of its Pinot Noir wines, produced by some of the most highly regarded
wineries in New Zealand.
Marlborough
The Marlborough region put New Zealand on the international wine stage with its Sauvignon Blanc in the 1980s. Almost 30,000ha of vines (around 2/3 of the national total) are under the care of local wine producers, making it the country’s largest wine region. Marlborough wineries offer an incredibly diverse range of varieties, from Sauvignon Blanc, elegant Pinot Noir to intense Chardonnay, and vivid aromatics.
Central Otago - Queenstown
For over three decades the Central Otago wine sector has continued to grow to around 135 wineries and more than 40 tasting rooms open to the public. Approximately 2000 hectares of grapes are now planted, making up just over 3% of New Zealand’s total wine-growing area. Pinot Noir showed amazing potential in Central Otago right from the beginning and now accounts for over 75% of plantings – but it’s not the only grape that grows royally in these parts. Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay are also stellar performers.
Note: Some wineries and restaurants are subject to final confirmation at time of printing but will be replaced by comparable venues if required.
TRIP ITINERARY
Experience the Exceptional:
WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2026 (L, D)
Four Points by Sheraton, Auckland (3 nights)
Highlights Include:
• The Four Points by Sheraton Auckland hotel is well located just moments away from Aotea Square, the Civic Theatre, Town Hall, the Auckland Art Gallery.
• Arrive in Auckland, where we will meet at the airport and enjoy a tour and lunch at the Chelsea Sugar Factory.
• Our welcome dinner this evening is at an award winning restaurant.
THURSDAY 16 APRIL 2026 (B, L, wine tasting)
Highlights Include:
• Transfer by ferry to Waiheke Island, famous for its boutique vineyards, with the chance to enjoy the Waitemata Harbour as
we cruise towards this great wine hub for the first of our wine and food experiences.
• Wine tasting experiences today include 2 award winning wineries: Tantalus and Stonyridge Vineyards.
• Lunch at Poderi Crisci with wine pairing and a concert entitled Viva Italia presented by our hosts and guest tenors in their wine cellar. The owner of Poderi Crisci will also introduce their wine and tell you about his experience of owning a vineyard.
• Free evening to wander down to the Viaduct, meet friends or enjoy your own dinner experiences tonight.
FRIDAY 17 APRIL 2026 (B, L, wine tasting, cooking class, D)
West Auckland
Today we wander out West to one of NZ’s oldest wine regions, the Waitakeres. This area has been producing wine for over 100 years and is home to great
Highlights Include:
• Lunch at a winery and wine tasting.
• Visit Muriwai Beach, witness the splendour of the wild West Auckland beaches and see the gannet colony perched on the edge of the cliffs.
• Have fun with an interactive cooking class, Taste of Asia. The chef will demonstrate and give us guidance and the chefs will be on hand, but it’s all about fun. Then you get to try your creations over a glass of wine (or two)!
SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2026 (B, D)
Te Pania, Napier, Hawke’s Bay (3 nights)
Highlights Include:
• We stay at the 4-star Te Pania Hotel, located on the waterfront and within walking distance of shops and Art Deco buildings.
• We drive to Napier, via Hobbiton and Taupo.
• First stop is Hobbiton, the location for filming The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit where we will stop for a tour and morning tea.
• Drive onto Taupo with free time for lunch and shopping in this lovely town.
• Drive to Napier with dinner at the hotel.
SUNDAY 19 APRIL 2026 (B, wine tasting, L platters, D)
Highlights Include:
• Wine tasting at various famous vineyards, sampling some of the Hawke’s Bay’s finest wines including Elephant Hill and Craggy Range.
• Wine tasting, dinner and concert at the famous Mission
Estate Winery with The Dancing Years, with hits from the 20s
and 30s plus some great dance tunes. Pop on your Art Deco
party gear and enjoy!
MONDAY 20 APRIL 2026 (B, L)
Highlights Include:
• To give our palates a rest today we learn more about the history of Art Deco Napier. This includes a walking tour of Napier and a vintage car ride around many of its Art Deco Buildings.
• Stop for lunch at Birdwoods, a quirky place and one of our favourites.
• Free later in the afternoon and evening for your own dinner experiences.
TUESDAY 21 APRIL 2026 (B, High Tea, D)
Peppers Parehua Martinborough (3 nights)
Peppers Parehua is set on a large country estate with sweeping gardens and panoramic views of the Wairarapa wine-growing region.
Highlights Include:
• We leave the Hawke’s Bay early this morning for a full day of
great experiences.
• Our first stop is Oruawharo’s Homestead, a private 150-year old
home to see the Historic Homestead, Old Church and Gardens. We enjoy a private tour here with a high tea.
• Maybe even time for a short concert from our hosts in the beautiful chapel this morning?
• Next stop is Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, Mt Bruce, famous as a bird sanctuary and home to many endangered NZ birds including the brown kiwi.
• Time to grab a coffee or lunch before our next stop at the famous Tui Brewery for a tour and beer tasting experience, in their iconic factory.
• Casual dinner at our hotel this evening.
WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL 2026 (B, D)
Highlights Include:
• Off for our foodies tour which includes a cheese shop, Schoc Chocolates, other food and wine experiences plus time to wander the shops in Greytown and enjoy time for our own lunch.
• Dinner and concert at a vineyard with our concert That’s Amore, presenting famous songs from the great Crooners, like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
THURSDAY 23 APRIL 2026 (B, L)
Highlights Include:
• A visit and tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa, an open-sky observatory inspired by and built on a similar scale to the famous Stonehenge in England.
• Platters, wine tasting and a talk at the Palliser Estate, Martinborough.
• This afternoon and evening are free to enjoy Martinborough, its shopping and restaurants.
FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2026 (B, D)
Chateau Marlborough (3 nights)
Chateau Marlborough is a five star hotel set in the heart of Blenheim, a great location for enjoying this amazing wine region.
Highlights Include:
• Drive to the waterfront in Wellington this morning and take the ferry over to Picton.
• A chance to enjoy the magnificent Marlborough Sounds this morning - maybe even see a dolphin as we cruise towards our next wine destination.
• On arrival, free time for our own shopping and settling in before our private dinner at a vineyard this evening.
SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2026 (B, D)
Highlights Include:
• In keeping with ANZAC Day we enjoy a tour of Omaka Aviation Museum to see two outstanding exhibitions: the original Knights of the Sky exhibition, featuring Sir Peter Jackson’s collection of WW1 aircraft and artefacts and Dangerous Skies, featuring planes and stories from World War II.
• Visit Marlborough Lodge, a private hotel and historic mansion and vineyard for a garden tour and talk about wine making.
• We then present a special ANZAC day concert in their chapel entitled Lest We Forget as we pay tribute through song to our war heroes, after which we enjoy dinner at the award winning Harvest Restaurant.
SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2026 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• A tour of the vineyards of Marlborough, world famous for its
quality wine production with wine tastings at award winning vineyards, including Forest Wineries to learn about their production of low and no alcohol wines.
• Then we are off to No 1 Family Estate, the vineyard which pioneered the Methode Traditionelle making of sparkling wine in New Zealand.
• Lunch at Allan Scott vineyard with wine-tasting as their senior
wine-maker presents a talk about wine making.
• Stop at the chocolate shop for tasting and shopping before a casual dinner this evening.
MONDAY 27 APRIL 2026 (B, L, D)
Rendezvous Heritage Hotel (4 nights)
Set against the scenic slopes of Ben Lomond, Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown offers uninterrupted views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.
Highlights Include:
• This morning we fly from Blenheim to Queenstown via Wellington or Christchurch.
• On arrival we enjoy a driving tour around Queenstown.
• Gondola ride up to Stratosfare Restaurant with iconic views including Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
• Chance to wander and do some shopping in Queenstown.
• Dinner at our hotel this evening as we settle into this amazing location.
TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2026 (B, L)
Highlights Include:
• Cruise on Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak with lunch included at Walter Peak Homestead. (Please note: the Earnslaw is in drydock so we will be on a catamaran today).
• Free time this afternoon and evening for your own touring and dinner experiences.
WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2026 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• Day tour of three premium vineyards of Otago situated around the Gibbston Valley region, famous for their Pinot Noir and other varieties, including lunch at a vineyard and tastings and talks about wine production of the area.
• Dinner this evening in a wine cellar with a chance to chat with each other and enjoy a special wine and food night.
THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2026 (B, D)
Highlights Include:
• Time to enjoy Arrowtown this morning and then the rest of
the day free to relax or enjoy your own tours.
• A grand finale at Ayrburn, Queenstown’s hottest new wine and food destination with a concert entitled The Best of the Best! Featuring hit after hit from a variety of different genres and including some special surprise guests.
FRIDAY 1 MAY 2026 (B)
Transfer to the airport this morning after an incredible tour through our beautiful country with wine and food tastings, but also amazing experiences of music and wonderful tours.
This Trip Includes:
• The Great NZ Food and Wine Trail includes 6 great wine regions: Waiheke Island, West Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, Marlborough and Central Otago, staying at 4 and 5 star hotels: Auckland (3 nights), Napier (3 nights), Martinborough (3 nights), Blenheim (3 nights) and Queenstown (4 nights).
• Flights from Blenheim to Queenstown are included (see below for airline clause).
• Extraordinary food and wine experiences including wine tasting at many premium vineyards in each region, talks about wine production and harvests, dining at award-winning restaurants, high tea events, Tui beer tasting, Asian cooking class, tour of Chelsea Sugar Factory, cheese and chocolate tours and chance to visit and shop at food markets and specialty food stores.
• 5 great concerts from our hosts with special guest artists: Lunch at Poderi Crisci with wine pairing and a concert entitled Viva Italia presented by our hosts and guest tenors in their wine cellar, special event at the famous Mission Estate Winery with The Dancing Years, dinner at Poppies Martinborough which is very Italianate in style so we transport you to Italy with That’s Amore, presenting famous songs from the great Crooners, a private, special ANZAC day concert in their chapel entitled Lest We Forget as we pay tribute through song to our war heroes, grand finale in Queenstown’s hottest new wine and food destination with a concert entitled The Best of the Best!
• This tour is not all about eating and drinking as we include many special tours such as gannet colony at Muriwai, historic houses, chapel concerts, Aotearoa Stonehenge, Greytown, Hobbiton, Taupo, Omaka Aviation Centre, cruise on Lake Wakatipu, Arrowtown, Art deco tour in vintage cars and more!
• Hosted by Russell Dixon, who had his own cooking show on TV, has had 10 years experience in the food and wine industry and was a chef, now of course our fabulous singer and tour manager. Joining him will be the talented team of Kate Lineham and John Bayne.
• All tours, tips, transport, entrances and experiences as listed in the itinerary.
• All breakfasts, 9 lunches, 12 dinners, wine, chocolate and beer tastings and drinks included with selected meals.
PLEASE NOTE: As our travellers are coming from all over NZ, airfares to Auckland and from Queenstown are not included. Flights from Blenheim to Queenstown are included.
Important Information
• All itinerary details are subject to change, but changes will be replaced with a comparable or better option.
• Initial & Second deposits are fully refundable up until final balance due date, minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs.
• All monies are non-refundable at final balance due date. This becomes an insurance claim.
• Bank transfer payments incur no surcharge. Credit card payments incur surcharge of 1.5%.
• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.
• Bookings will only be accepted with initial deposit & booking form.
• All travellers must obtain comprehensive travel insurance for international travel and insurance for domestic travel is recommended.
• Please refer to our terms and conditions on booking form.
Mobility - Easy Tour
This tour will suit people with a stick, but not a walker or in a wheelchair. You will be required to walk to get from place to place and stand in museums and gardens, but it is designed to be an easy tour with lots of time to rest, travel on a coach and walk easy leisurely distances. You will need to be able to get on and off a bus with ease.