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New Zealand has ten main wine growing regions, each displaying a great diversity in climate and terrain. They are scattered throughout both the north and the south islands which means that you are never far from an excellent wine growing region.  How do you choose which wine tour suits you? Here are a few ideas:
A fabulous way to experience the main producers in the Hawkes Bay area around Napier is to join a tour which specialises in this very thing. We recommend the Twilight Odyssey, a small group, evening tour departing from Napier. You get to visit 3 classic vineyards, sample their wines and eat one course of a 3 course meal at each one. This 5 hour tour is excellent value for money; your guide is extremely knowledgeable and you hand the driving over to him so you can sit back and enjoy the scenery, the wine and the outstanding food. First stop was the Vidal Estate Winery for a gourmet platter of local produce, then onto Te Mata peak to sip champagne at sunset and then a gourmet main meal at Craggy Range Winery.  Pacing yourself is the key to enjoying the entire evening as you have to save some room for desert and coffee at the beautiful Mission Estate, New Zealand’s oldest winery. I personally recommend the Chocolate Fondant! Transport will take you back to your Hotel where it is unlikely you will have any trouble sleeping. We booked through Trailfinders but you can also book direct through Kirra Tours for £100. This is excellent value when you consider how much New Zealand wine costs in the UK and the gourmet food served. www.kirratours.co.nz
Heading south and only an hour from the capital Wellington, is the flat and very compact vineyards of Martinborough. In the centre of this charming town is the Martinborough Wine Centre which will set you up with maps for information about local wineries and olive groves.  Almost all of the vineyards are in a thin ribbon surrounding the town, so once the bikes have been hired and picnic essentials bought, you can plan your route. Of the 26 vineyards within the main vicinity of the town, 10 are within 2 kms of each other and are open daily for tastings and purchases. Fabulous!
Alternatively, sample the delights of the southern most vineyard in the Central Otago region from a very comfortable armchair in the Central Otago Wine Experience in Queenstown. This will set you back just a fraction of the cost of a wine tour and they have over 100 varieties of wines selected from the best that New Zealand has to offer. It is conveniently situated right in the heart of Queenstown on Beach Street. There is no need to book, just bring a credit card to exchange for a pass and this will keep a running total of your bill. You serve yourself and choose between a small taster measure right the way up to a very large glass. A deli platter of cheese and olives will make the evening pass rather well and the furthest you have to walk is between your leather armchair and the ‘optic’.
Whichever way you choose to sample the wines and local produce from this exciting country, you will not be disappointed. It also makes a lovely alternative to all the adventure sports on offer in this exhilarating country. 

Article written by Tina Hutton-Fellowes