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wineries

The long growing season and cool climate in New Zealand, makes conditions ideal for grape growing, and therefore producing some highly distinctive, premium quality wines. New Zealand's major grape growing areas are in the dry, sunny eastern regions, with the three main areas being Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, and Marlborough in the north east of the South Island. Other important areas are Auckland, Martinborough, Nelson, Canterbury and Queenstown.

Most wineries are located near towns and cities and are easy to get to for tastings. Many have restaurants and/or attractive gardens for picnics and barbecues. Wine tours are available, but casual visitors are generally always welcome to taste and make purchases.

food & wine festivals

Why not include one of New Zealand's great food and wine festivals in your holiday, so you can experience the fabulous food and wines that New Zealand has become so renowned for.

january

Queenstown Wine, Food & Jazz Festival: Great wine, great food, great Jazz, great entertainment, and lots of fun!

Taste Gisborne: The Taste Gisborne extravaganza brings together, at one venue, many of Gisborne's top wineries, food and beverage producers.

Harvest Hawke's Bay Weekend: Wine, food, music, art and sunshine. 29 wineries, 6 workshops and 2 farmers' markets with 25 shuttle buses to get you around!

february

Waiheke Island Wine Festival: A unique maritime location and internationally renowned wines offers wine lovers an experience hard to find anywhere else in the world.

Devonport (Auckland) Wine & Food Festival: Food, Wine & Music festival in picturesque village of Devonport. Two stages with non stop entertainment and 30 stalls showcasing NZ's wine & food.

Church Road Jazz, Napier: Church Road Jazz - Napier is New Zealand biggest single Jazz /Wines and Food event. Held the first Saturday in February each year.

The BMW Wine Marlborough Festival: The BMW Wine Marlborough Festival is New Zealand' premier wine, food & jazz festival. Wine enthusiasts can sample over 200 Marlborough wines from 40 wineries.

Hokonui Moonshiners Festival, Gore, Southland: Lovers of southern cuisine, fine wine and whisky will be treated to an outdoor event focused around the legend Hokonui Moonshine.

Whangarei Wine & Food Festival: Whangarei Wine & Food Festival "Taste Northland" Festival will be held at Barge Showgrounds, Whangarei

Wairarapa Wine & Food Festival: Set in the historic Solway Showgrounds in Masterton. A selection of the finest local wines and cuisine. Top class entertainment though out the day.

Jade Wine & Food Festival of Canterbury: This fun-filled festival is held in the beautiful surrounds of North Hagley Park, showcasing the tastes and flavours from throughout the Canterbury Region and accompanied by the music of accomplished local artists.

march

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival: The Wildfoods Festival is a celebration of the West Coast's unique lifestyle, food and hospitality.

Hooked on Seafood, Nelson: seafood - abundant, chefs - delicious, wine - stunning, olive oil - romantic, music - dance, comedy - laugh, boats - cruisy, waterfront - beautiful

april

Bluff Oyster & Southland Seafood Festival: Annual celebration of Bluff Oysters, Southland seafood and leading local beverages, including all-day entertainment, competitions and wearable art.

may

BrewNZ - Celebrating Great Beer, Wellington: A journey of discovery into the ancient craft of brewing and the celebration of great beer.

june

The Food Show, Wellington: The Food Show is New Zealand's premier food event, providing one place for foodies, gourmets and connoisseurs to experience the widest possible range of food and drink.

october

International Chardonnay Challenge, Gisborne: International Chardonnay Challenge, a high calibre wine competition for the New Zealand Wine Industry

Pacifica Kaikoura Seafest: The Pacifica Kaikoura Seafest is a unique festival, celebrating the bounty of the Kaikoura region. It offers an opportunity to sample an extravaganza of food and beverages from all over the region.

november

Toast Martinborough: Each of the participating vineyards features culinary delights from Wellington and Wairarapa's finest restaurants that are carefully matched to complement the winemakers selection, along with some of New Zealand's best live entertainment.