New Zealand Food & Wine Travel Guide: Regional Flavours & Vineyard Experiences
02 May 2026 
New Zealand is known not only for its landscapes but also for its growing food and wine scene. Across the country, you’ll find a wide range of experiences that combine local flavours, regional wines, and scenic locations.
Rather than focusing on one region, the best way to explore food and wine in New Zealand is through curated experiences. From vineyard tastings and gourmet tours to unique local encounters, these activities offer a more immersive and enjoyable way to experience the country.
New Zealand offers a diverse mix of wine regions and culinary styles, making it easy to include food and wine experiences as part of your itinerary, no matter where you travel.
Wine & Vineyard Experiences
These experiences focus on New Zealand’s well-known wine regions, offering guided tastings and vineyard visits in scenic locations.
Boutique Wine Tour – Wanaka
Boutique Wine Tour
Wanaka
Discover some of Wanaka and Central Otago’s wonderful vineyards and scenery, while meeting some of the numerous characters that produce these gorgeous, award-winning wines. We’ll take you to the little gems that ar ...
A boutique wine tour in Wanaka gives you the chance to visit local vineyards and enjoy guided tastings in a relaxed setting. The experience runs for approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, including visits to several boutique wineries, with transport between locations and a knowledgeable guide leading the way.
You’ll sample a variety of locally produced wines while learning more about the region’s wine-making process. A gourmet platter is also included, making this a well-rounded and social experience that combines both food and wine in one setting.
Private Luxury Wine Tour – Marlborough & Gibbston Valley
Private Luxury Cloudy Bay Shed,Mt Diffcuilty and Gibbston Valley Wine tour for up to 4 People
Queenstown
Immerse yourself in Central Otago's proud heritage as one of the world's finest winemaking regions. Your private driver will first take you to Bannockburn, the heart of the Central Otago wine region. Visit the charming t ...
This private luxury wine tour offers a more personalised experience across some of New Zealand’s well-known wine regions, including premium vineyard visits. The tour typically includes transport, guided tastings, and a flexible itinerary designed for a small group.
With a more tailored approach, you’ll have time to enjoy each stop at your own pace while experiencing a selection of high-quality wines. This works well if you’re looking for a more exclusive and premium wine experience.
Marlborough Hop-On Hop-Off Wine & Beer Tour
Marlborough Hop on Hop off Wine and Beer Tour
Picton, Marlborough
Hop on and discover the Wonders of Marlborough: Wineries, Museums, Activities, Breweries, Shopping, Restaurants, and more! A self-guided tour providing complete freedom of movement!
This hop-on hop-off experience allows you to explore Marlborough’s wine and beer scene at your own pace. You can visit multiple wineries and breweries throughout the day, choosing where to stop and how long to stay.
The flexible format makes it easy to create your own itinerary while still having transport between locations. This is a good option if you prefer a more independent and relaxed approach to wine tasting.
Scenic Wine Tasting Tour
Scenic Wine Tasting Tour
Waiheke Island, Auckland
If you’re looking for a world-class experience close to Auckland, look no further than Waiheke Wine Tours. We take you into the cellar door, guaranteed booked tastings with our vineyard partners. Incredible scenery alo ...
This scenic wine tasting tour combines vineyard visits with travel through some of New Zealand’s well-known wine regions. The experience typically runs for several hours and includes guided tastings at selected wineries along the way.
Alongside the wine tastings, you’ll enjoy views of the surrounding landscapes, making the experience more than just a tasting tour. This works well if you want a balance of scenery and wine in one activity.
Food & Gourmet Experiences
These experiences highlight local flavours, combining food tastings with regional insights and relaxed dining.
Gourmet Food and Wine Tour – Queenstown
Gourmet Food and Wine Tour - Departs Queenstown (9.30am - 4.00pm)
Queenstown
Experience an indulgent and diverse full-day tour showcasing the very best sights and tastes from the Central Otago region. Let your experienced local guide lead you on a tasting journey through three contrasting Central ...
This gourmet food and wine tour combines local produce with curated tastings across several stops. The experience runs for most of the day, typically from 9:30am to 4:00pm, and includes both food pairings and wine tastings.
You’ll experience a mix of flavours while learning about the region’s culinary scene. This is a great option if you want a more complete and guided food and wine experience.
Walking Food Tour of Wellington
Wellington's Walking Food Odyssey
Wellington City, Wellington
Discover the ultimate Walking Food Tour of New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, and experience the unique food and drink explosion that has made Wellington the coolest little capital in the world. This is one of the m ...
This walking food tour in Wellington takes you through the city while sampling a variety of local food stops. The experience typically runs for a few hours and includes guided insights into Wellington’s food scene.
As you move between locations, you’ll get to explore the city while trying different flavours along the way. Ideal if you want a more interactive and locally focused food experience.
Taste & Graze Tour (Wine, Craft Beer & Platters)
Taste + Graze Tour with Wine, Craft Beer Tastings and Platters
Waiheke Island, Auckland
Experience a unique wine tour that takes you to 2 of the finest vineyards on Waiheke Island, The Mudbrick and Stonyridge. This tour also includes tastings of craft beer at a rustic craft beer distillery. Enjoy engaging c ...
This experience offers a mix of wine, craft beer, and food platters across several stops. It combines different tasting styles into one tour, making it more varied than a standard wine experience.
With both drinks and food included, it provides a social and relaxed atmosphere throughout the day. A good choice if you want a bit of everything in one experience.
Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise
Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise
Downtown Auckland, Auckland
A unique opportunity to dine on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour under sail on this 2.5-hour experience.
A dinner cruise in Auckland offers a scenic dining experience, combining a multi-course meal with views of the city skyline and harbour. The experience typically runs for a few hours and includes a meal served on board.
As you move through the harbour, you’ll enjoy a relaxed dining setting with changing views throughout the experience. This works well if you’re looking for something scenic and laid-back.
Unique & Local Culinary Experiences
For something a little different, these experiences offer more hands-on or unique ways to explore food and wine in New Zealand.
Makana Chocolate Factory Experience
Makana Chocolate Factory
Kerikeri, Northland
Makana Confections Boutique chocolate factory, the ultimate chocolate experience. Watch delicious chocolates being made, and taste a few samples! Shop for gifts and indulgences. Situated in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, a ...
The Makana Chocolate Factory offers a behind-the-scenes look at how handcrafted chocolates are made. The experience includes tastings along with a walkthrough of the production process.
It’s a simple but engaging activity that adds variety to your itinerary. This is a good option if you’re looking for something interactive and suitable for all ages.
Wellington Chocoholics Walking Odyssey
Wellington's Chocoholics Walking Odyssey
Wellington City, Wellington
Surrender to your naughty side and let indulgence take over as you taste your way around our harbour city through the world of cocoa. This is one of the most interesting and memorable chocolate tours you will have the ...
This walking tour in Wellington focuses on chocolate tastings across several locations in the city. You’ll visit different stops while sampling a variety of chocolate-based treats.
The walking format makes it both interactive and easy to follow, while also giving you a chance to explore the city. This is a great option if you’re looking for something unique and a little different from wine-based experiences.
Plan Your Food & Wine Experience
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Book popular wine and food tours in advance, especially during peak travel seasons
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Allow time between tastings and meals to fully enjoy each experience
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Consider transport options or guided tours when visiting multiple wineries
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Look for experiences that combine food and wine for a more complete day
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Check seasonal availability, as some experiences vary throughout the year
Make the Most of Your Food & Wine Experience
Food and wine experiences in New Zealand are best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, allowing time to appreciate both the flavours and the surroundings. By choosing a mix of vineyard visits, dining experiences, and unique tastings, you can create a well-balanced and memorable itinerary.
Exploring different regions will also give you a broader perspective of New Zealand’s food and wine scene, as each area offers its own specialties and style.
New Zealand is a place where a few well-chosen food and wine experiences can go a long way.