Waipara Valley Winetasting Tour with Lunch by Canterbury Leisure Tours

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Duration: 6h
Location: Waipara Valley, New Zealand | Waipara Valley, New Zealand


Category: Day Trips & Excursio

Highlights:
Idyllic countryside of the Waipara Valley & North Canterbury
Tastings of award-winning vintages at 4 boutique wineries
Stops include Pegasus Bay, Greystone Wines & Waipara Hills
Delicious gourmet lunch of antipasto at Waipara Springs
Insight into winemaking techniques & local grape varietals

Inclusions:
Guided tour of the Waipara Valley
Winetastings at 4 wineries
Lunch
Roundtrip transportation to and from your Christchurch hotel
Live tour commentary provided in English

Description:

It may be on the opposite side of the globe, but New Zealand's Waipara Valley is bottling wines that rival—and often best—the Old World varietals produced in France. Learn what sets this region apart on a tasting tour to 4 boutique wineries, complete with a delectable gourmet lunch among the vines.

Head north along the coast from Christchurch and enter the Waipara Valley, taking in the view as the untamed and wild landscape of the Southern Alps aligns itself into neat rows of grapevines that trace the valley floor. Your local guide explains the winemaking history of the region as you approach your first stop—Pegasus Bay. Here you can sip your first pours of earthy reds and crisp whites as you learn how the valley's cool, dry, and sunny climate shapes the character of the wines.

With your palate awake and your appetite whetted, head to Waipara Springs. At this charming estate, sit down to a gourmet meal full of vino-attentive antipasto dishes. Snack on fresh cheeses, seasonal fruits, olives, Akaroa salmon, cured meats and salami, and herb and garlic sausages. These delicious nibbles are accompanied by house-baked breads, crackers, and—naturally—perfectly paired wines.

You can drink your dessert at your next stop, lazing in the sun-soaked gardens of Waipara Hills as you're led through a tasting flight of citrus-scented pinot gris and sauvignon blanc. The last stop of the day is at the tasting room of the award-winning Greystone Wines. Chat with the passionate staff members and winemaking team as you sample their world-renowned Burgundy-style pinot noir, which has won accolades around the globe.