The Hills Golf Course, New Zealand

If you’re thinking about visiting Queenstown, New Zealand, January 2010 is the time to be there. Why? There’s a million things to do in this gorgeous place during the summer, no matter what you’re in to.

Aside from amazing scenery, tasty wine and friendly people, artistic types will love the month long arts and culture festival, Summerdaze, which takes place between December 31 and January 31, 2010. It’s a major local event, so visitors to New Zealand’s lovely Queenstown will get to rub shoulders with many of the people who live and work in the area.

Golf lovers will definitely want to be at The Michael Hill New Zealand Open (the country’s premier golf tournament), which takes place from January 28 to January 31, 2010. The tournament takes place at the Hills Golf Course in Arrowtown, which is about half an hour away from Queenstown.

Horse enthusiasts get something too – Glenorchy Race Day on January 2, 2010. This event includes races like “walk trot gallop”, “trotting cup”, “relay race”, “double banking”, “ladies gallop” and more. Anyone with a horse can register – but this event attracts a serious crowd and competition is high.

Queenstown, New Zealand is home to some of the world’s best boutique hotels. Here are some of our favorites:

The Spire Hotel

The Spire Queenstown was just voted Australasia’s Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2009, and it’s easy to see why: Chic, charming and centrally located, this gorgeous New Zealand hotel was designed with the sophisticated, design-loving traveler in mind. Think spacious guest rooms, stone fireplaces, large balconies and excellent service and you’re brushing the surface of what this hotel has to offer.

Azur
Private and intimate experiences are Azur’s specialty. This Queenstown boutique hotel is composed of nine spacious villas overlooking the lake and mountains. This gorgeous resort is all about the views, so be sure to make use of your private deck and lounge area to make the most out of your stay here.

Blanket Bay
Situated right at the edge of a brilliantly blue lake, Blanket Bay is right in the middle of a green valley between snow-capped mountain peaks. Ideal for outdoorsy types, and people who really enjoy the natural beauty of New Zealand, Blanket Bay cleaned up in the awards category this year, earning the title of “New Zealand’s Best Regional Property” at the HM Awards 2009 and was voted the best leisure hotel in Australasia and the South Pacific in the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards 2009. We wrote about Blanket Bay’s 2009 awards on the blog earlier this year.

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If you’re planning a holiday this winter but have no idea where to go, consider all of the buzz around New Zealand and, specifically, Blanket Bay Lodge. Travel writers, industry experts and discerning travellers have spoken – Blanket Bay Lodge in New Zealand, and New Zealand itself as a destination in general, really cleaned up and won a wide array of travel and tourism awards this year.

Lodge at Blanket Bay is a tiny boutique hotel right on Lake Wakatipu. Built out of native New Zealand timber and stone, guests feel close to nature in this rustic setting.

Guests here stay in gorgeous lakeside rooms or suites, decorated with high end furnishings and plush rugs. Of course, since the lodge is going for a nature-inspired atmosphere, most of the materials used in the rooms are completely natural.

Blanket Bay’s best attributes include its stunning views of the mountains and the lake and its culinary excellence. Guests who enjoy fine food and wine and fabulous views will really love this retreat.

Not surprisingly, Blanket Bay won some of the travel industries top awards this year. For example, the Lodge was named “New Zealand’s Best Regional Property” at the HM Awards 2009 (Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island’s only regional benchmark for excellence in hospitality management).

In addition, it was named the best leisure hotel in Australasia and the South Pacific in the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards 2009.

“Our location in one of the most spectacular places in New Zealand combined with the unforgettable experience we work to produce for each and every one of our guests has been recognized by Conde Nast readers. We have a superb kitchen run by a talented team of award winning chefs to produce the very best in gourmet dining. We are just delighted to have the work of each and every member of our staff recognized in this way,” said Blanket Bay Manager Philip Jenkins.

New Zealand as a destination also topped the travel industry’s awards this year. New Zealand was named one of the top five favourite countries by Conde Nast readers for the sixth year in a row this September.

Sarah Miller, Editor Conde Nast Traveller, said New Zealand was popular with readers because of its fantastic landscape and its relaxed quality of life.

“New Zealand is also known for its fantastic food, its Maori culture, and for being one of the safest places on the planet. Of course, it’s also thought of as being forward-thinking for its environmental friendliness. And all that stuff adds up,” she said.

New Zealand was also listed fourth overall in the ‘Best of the Best’ section of the awards which includes cities, airports, hotels, cruise lines and other sectors within the tourism industry.

You can find out more about some of New Zealand’s luxury hotels on the Kiwi Collection website, where we maintain a collection of all of the country’s best high-end accommodation.

Surrounded by white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and luscious greenery, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs is the best hotel in New Zealand to stay at if you want a great view of the countryside.Go to this coastal hotel to enjoy sights only available in the wildest imaginations; the sheer magnificence of the Ocean vista will take your breath away.

Close to Kerikeri, on New Zealand’s North Island, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs commands the grandest view of Matauri Bay—New Zealand’s favorite aquatic playground. From snorkeling to surfing to fishing, the bay offers fun for everyone.

Set on far-reaching acres of land, and offering peace and tranquility, Kauri Cliffs has eight guest cottages, each containing two suites and featuring a private porch, bedroom with sitting area and fireplace. Imagine arising at dawn to the sleepy sights of New Zealand’s serene landscape, taking a dip in the infinity pool and soaking in views of pastures, waters, and coastal islands as far as the eye can see.
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Nestled New Zealand’s most important wine district and set on a 6,000 acre sheep and cattle farm, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers has something for every interest. From now until October 31, 2009 if you stay for at least 5 nights consecutively in a Luxurious Suite, Cape Kidnappers will give you the 6th night free!

Have you ever said to yourself “this is heaven on earth”? If you haven’t you might just catch yourself saying that when you visit The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. Ranked as one of the best golf hotels in the world and commonly known as a “golfer’s paradise” this international award winning resort  features a par 71 course designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak. The course challenges golfers of all skill levels. The course is located on the breathtaking coastline of Hawks Bay beside 600 foot cliffs that plunge into the sea.

Cape Kidnappers offers a wide variety of activities on the property and in the surrounding region.

No visit would be complete without a tour of their 6,000 acre working sheep and cattle farm.  Or perhaps a nature hike or trout fishing might suite your fancy. After a day of adventure, relax at the spa and be pampered with a customized package to suite your individual needs.

If food and wine is your passion, the people Cape Kidnappers can arrange a wide variety of wine experiences from guided tours to wine appreciation classes in their own wine cellar. Dining will also be an unforgettable experience. With a menu that changes daily, it features the finest New Zealand lamb and beef as well as the best local produce and seafood.

From now until October 31, 2009 Cape Kidnappers is offering The Ultimate Kiwi Luxury Experience. When you book a combined 5 nights at Cape Kidnappers you will receive the 6th consecutive night free! Rates include accommodation in a luxurious suite, cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, a full breakfast daily and full use of Lodge facilities.

A crucial element of maintaining our collection of the world’s best luxury experiences means constantly reviewing and testing our hotels to ensure they are still meeting our standards. This is a costly and time rich activity which ensures we have our finger on the pulse of the luxury travel industry. As such our collection is constantly expanding in both directions. During our most recent trip to New Zealand we excluded five hotels and included one.

Philippe Kjellgren, President of Kiwi Collection and I headed to Christchurch to visit The George. The property is very well located, across from the lush North Hadley Park on the edge of the city. The building itself isn’t overly impressive but once you enter through the front doors a very stylish environment unfolds. The lobby has elegant couches for guests to relax, read newspapers or surf the internet. There is a bar-restaurant set up to enjoy quick snacks, coffee, tea or other refreshments. Their Italian Restaurant, Pescatore, is elegantly styled with views out toward the park and is considered one of the top dining experiences in Christchurch.

The new refurbished premium rooms are located on the fourth floor and are very well appointed. The other three floors are to be renovated this year.

Christchurch as a city isn’t overly exciting, in my books at least. It does have some charming architecture though, mainly found in the city centre. Interestingly enough, its main purpose for international travelers is access to the Antarctic!

We then headed to Otahuna Lodge roughly a 20 minute drive from the George. This property is the polar opposite situated in the countryside and is one of New Zealand’s most historical houses, built in 1895. The owners are a very well traveled and sophisticated couple from New York. I would highly recommend this property for intimate group gatherings or for a romantic weekend getaway. I particularly enjoy the fact they have their own organic vegetable garden.

The next hotel on our journey was the Grasmere Lodge High Country Retreat. The drive is spectacular and could easily be turned into a rally car circuit – lots of fun. The lodge itself is a nice four star experience. The staff are excellent and really passionate about guests and the beauty of their surroundings. The chef served an excellent duck confit prepared in front of a roaring fire on a rather chilly night in February.

I would recommend a stay of three nights and take advantage of activities such as fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Ask the co-owner Tom Butler to take you for a ride on top of the hill opposite the lodge so you can see the enormous mountains directly behind the property. Bring a camera.

Eagles Nest is the perfect hotel for romance. Just ask Jason Mesnick of ABC’s The Bachelor.

Perfect for romantic getaways, we here at Kiwi Collection aren’t the only ones who fell in love at Eagles Nest Luxury Villa in New Zealand. This gorgeous New Zealand hotel was featured at the end of the season finale of The Bachelor last night, before the shocking “After the Final Rose” special where Jason Mesnick (this season’s “Bachelor”) tossed Melissa Rycroft (his soon-to-be wife) aside like a dead toad, opting to give the runner-up Molly Malaney a chance to be with him instead.

Jason and Melissa were filmed swimming together in one of the resort’s fabulous private horizon edged lap pools before relaxing in the Jacuzzi.

Eagles Nest was the perfect backdrop for the formerly happy couple. Nestled in a sub-tropical paradise, this New Zealand retreat is found within a 75-acre estate. Because of its location (the Tapeka tip of the Russells peninsula), Eagles Nest sees some of the region’s best weather, making it the perfect vacation spot year round.

Four of the five world class villas at Eagles Nest offer their own private heated horizon edged lap pools (which provided Melissa with an unobstructed view of the Bay of Islands, clearly distracting her from Jason’s numerous personality flaws).
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Rob Young is chairman of Exclusively New Zealand, which provides exquisite customised lifestyle experiences throughout New Zealand. Among the luxury ‘lodges’ he recommends in Queenstown is Azur, highly popular with discerning ‘DINKS’ (double-income-no-kids). The nine identical 760 sq ft villas allow you to lie in bed, or in the oval Englefield bathtub – perhaps with a glass of the welcome wine, a Terrace Heights Estate Sauvignon Blanc – and look through picture windows across icy blue Lake Wakatipu, far beneath you, across to the jugged Remarkables mountains.

Nestled in a northern finger of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is often called the home of extreme sports.

Queenstown, in the South Island of New Zealand, is nestled within the Southern Alps and is bordered by the Fiordland, Aspiring and Westland National Parks.

The Fiordland National park encompasses 10% of New Zealand’s total land mass and is a true Amazon of wilderness.

Nestled in a northern finger of Lake Wakatipu, with soaring mountains behind and all around, this friendly town is often called the home of extreme sports. One of the most exciting is heli-surfing, which I can honestly say combines two of the best experiences you can ever have.

First you take a chartered heli flight in a six-seat Squirrel over glaciers, waterfalls and virgin rain forest to the uninhabited west coast of the Fiordland, where the Tasman Sea brings warm ocean swells upon deserted reefs and beach breaks. With boards tied to the struts of the helicopter, your guide and pilot search the remote coast for the most appropriate wave break that will suit you and your ability. Currents can be strong and your guide will surf with you and advise where to paddle out safely. As a safety precaution, the pilot waits on shore.

You can easily do this on a day trip, returning to your luxury lodge in Queenstown. If you are really adventurous, however, you might want to stay in a back-country hut and really feel back to nature.

On the West Coast, north of Milford Sound there lies a bay, aptly named Big Bay, which is New Zealand’s largest source of Greenstone, which the Maoris call Pounamu: commercial sourcing of the truck-sized boulders of nephrite jade finished in the 1990s and was only ever allowed in this beautiful region via helicopter. As a result the landscape today remains unchanged. It is as wild and as native as any New Zealand national park. Dave Hunter built a hut nestled in a cove on the southern end of the bay in the 1960s while he was deer culling for the government, and it can only be kept here during the lifetime of him and his son. The hut, which can only be reached by helicopter, is made of recycled native timbers with an open fireplace in the center. Your guide cooks dinner on this fire, perhaps steaming fresh lobster – it tastes so good cooked over an open fire. The hut does also have gas and a generator for having hot showers and evening power. (more…)

As I plan my next business travel, my health promise to myself has to be taken in to account. I am over 40 and the spread is beginning to show. I have always used the excuse of my travels, but now more then ever I am committed to loosing weight and creating a new fitness regime to get healthy. After all a healthy body is a healthy mind!

The spa and fitness business has become big business with hotels worldwide; it’s no longer enough just to have a room stashed away in some corner with a few pieces of equipment. Now clients expect a facility that will cater to all the needs, from a swimming pool to the complete gym to spa treatment rooms. But its not only hotels guests who crave this facility, city location hotels have realised that there is big business to be made in the gym business, but clients are also actively searching for hotels with extended facilities.

Athens, Greece: The Grande Bretagne
The newly renovated hotel has combined the complete health facility in the basement. As you enter into this almost Roman bath area a wonderful combination of boutique gym, lap pool, various steam rooms awaits you. Relax after and then enjoy a truly grand hotel experience, maybe with breakfast or dinner on top floor looking over Athens.

London, England: The Grove
This award wining Sequoia Spa was voted Best UK Spa Retreat’ Condé Nast Traveller. The wonderful gym with every dreamable work out tool and personal trainers is complemented by a superb spa centre and to cap it all a beautiful black swimming pool. The centre is built in an old farm house sunk into the ground and is a spectacular sight by night time. If the gym is not enough, then why not try 18 holes on one of the world great PGA courses. Even a certain Tiger had his challenges with that course!

Sydney, Australia: The Sydney Hilton
This gym is most likely one of Australia’s best gym facilities. Well planned and maintained the facility incorporates a 25 m lap pool with various spas & sauna’s and a smaller spa treatment area. Sydney residents can join up and have few excuses not to do with such a facility.

Melbourne, Australia: Crown Towers
Located on the 8th floor the gym looks over the brilliantly designed pool and spa area. The gym has a large glass panels face area and also looks on to the tennis courts in addition to the pool.

New Zealand: Kauri Cliffs Lodge
The latest edition to the brilliant Kauri Cliffs Lodge and golf course. Hidden in a small kauri forest, the spa has been designed with privacy in mind. A perfect boutique gym and lap pool is incorporated with 8 treatment rooms and even a small river that run along side the spa, offering the complete relaxation.

Hong Kong: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Located on the 11th floor, you step into another world. Welcome to the www.plateau.com.hk. With stunning views of Victoria harbour the spa is a step above most. Outdoor 50-metre heated swimming pool, open year round 400-metre jogging track.

Las Vegas, America: The MGM Skylofts
In a world of it’s own lies the MGM Spa. Away from the many restaurants, gaming machines and action lays a facility that may not loose you few dollars, but maybe a few pounds! A serious work out can be attained here, with machines you did not even know would exist.

Kiwi Collection CEO Erik Haugen offers journey suggestions to travellers based upon his own personal experiences travelling around the globe.

Fly into Auckland, hire car

Stay 2 nights in Auckland at Mollies, located perfectly for wandering around the city’s harbour

Stay 2 nights in the Bay of Islands at the Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, an ocean view hotel with stunning views and offering a number of outdoor pursuits

Stay 1 night half way up bay of islands at Matakana

Stay for 2 nights at Huka Lodge near Lake Taupo, a great place to take a helicopter flight to see the nearby scenery, soak in the hot pools or, for the brave, sky dive for the ultimate adrenaline rush

Stay 1 night at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in Te Awanga, fitting in a round of golf on one of the most dramatically located courses in the world

Stay 3 nights at Wharekauhau, a coastal hotel on a working sheep station a short distance from Wellington, providing the chance to sample great cuisine in a stunning setting

Take the ferry from Wellington to Picton, drive to Blenheim

Stay 1 night in Blenheim, in the beautiful Art Deco Hotel d’Urville in the heart of Marlborough wine country

Following a beautiful drive from Blenheim,

Stay 2 nights at the Hapuku Lodge and Tree Houses near Kaikoura, which is situated in stunning scenery and famed for whale watching

Stay 3 nights in Tai Tapu at Otahuna Lodge, an elegant homestead with outstanding food and wine, offering horse riding, wine tasting and a spa for those looking for pampering

Spend 4 nights at The Spire hotel, ideally situated in central Queenstown to make the most of the activities of the town and take a trip to Milford Sound

Fly out of Queenstown

(Note: this journey would involve a lot of driving, but this is the best way to appreciate the stunning scenery in the country)

New Zealand’s second capital Auckland has always been a nice town, located on the Hauraki Gulf and with small islands spread throughout, it has always been a boat lovers dream destination.

The face of Auckland has changed. The waterfront and harbour has undergone major changes and Auckland has suddenly become alive. With the newly completed “Viaduct” area on the harbour front, city life has move to this fascinating development. The Viaduct now perfectly compliments the older “city” feel adding a new and vibrant feeling.

Compromising of excellent luxury hotels in the Hilton Auckland and the brand new Westin Auckland Lighter Quay, dining venues & late nightspots, the Viaduct is for sure a destination worth spending time at. As yachts arrive to drop of friends who now reside in new apartments others just layze about and take in the action & atmosphere of the harbour.

If you want a slightly calmer pace, but are still looking for life’s pleasures, then head north to the Matakana Coast and be ready for a gourmet experience.

Just 75 km north of Auckland lays the Matakana village & Coast. The area has been blessed with rolling hills, pristine golden sandy beaches, superb surfing beaches, award wining wines and vineyards and now stunning accommodation at Takatu Vineyard & Lodge.

The village is rich with artisan bakeries, café’s, galleries and has embraced the “slow food” concept. This is place for fun, a place for romance and a place to slow down and enjoy the finer things in life. The vineyards are now not only producing stunning wines, but have also produced first class accommodation and dinning venues. Set in-between the vines, the design and views are quite breathtaking.

As I drove back sipping my take-away organic coffee, taking in the views of the Auckland coast, my thoughts began to wonder what restaurant in the Viaduct would be my choice. My friends had told me to meet them at “the Office”, a strange place to meet on a Saturday evening I thought! Until I turned up at the Westin’s new trendy bar and we headed off into Viaduct for a great night out.

Auckland has really changed for the better.

At a Cabernet Master Class in Melbourne one winemaker asked, during a blind tasting flight, how was wine number four? Rich, deep red, dry tannins, classic Bordeaux, maybe even Saint-Emilion, said the French winemaker. The master of ceremonies then read aloud from a Jancis Robinson book “how on the island of Waiheke in Auckland winemakers were producing the closest example of classic Bordeaux style worldwide”…the bottle was shown and proved to be a Goldwater Cabernet from, yes…. Waiheke Island.

Ever since then I have always had this dream of visiting the island. My dream came true recently. As I sat on the ferry I looked out at the many pleasure boats sailing, I was stunned at the sheer the beauty of Auckland harbor. Just 35 minutes later we arrived into the picturesque bay. Waiheke’s rolling hills and small bays greeted us and the atmosphere suddenly all seemed very relaxed, I felt like I million miles away in pace and beauty.

Staying at the luxurious Boatshed Island Hotel was such a pleasurable part of my visit to Waiheke, which is located above a sun-drenched bay overlooking the spectacular seascape of Oneroa Bay.

The Island’s vineyards, olive groves and pastureland serves up a feast for any gourmet lover. A leisurely stroll around the bays and a long lunch in a vineyard is a perfect way to enjoy this beautiful island, that takes two hours to drive around, slowly. Looking around the island, it reminded me of the south of England, although slightly better wines…. small village settings each with it’s own character and wonderful gardens. An early morning walk along one of the many beaches is a wonderful way to begin the day, and a drive out to the historic Stony Batter that houses three WW2 9.2 inch battle guns, offers you a chance to see most of the green island.

As the ferry departed, clear Pacific waters surround us, this is the ultimate destination to escape from the rush of Auckland – and try some Cabernet.

As I was standing by the quaint bar at Mollies luxury hotel in Auckland, an American gentleman inquired about the available Pinot Noir by the glass? I have over the years become slightly obsessed by the perfect Pinot Noir so we quickly struck up a conversation. He was taking a well-earned break from the New York share market and was following the New Zealand Pinot Noir trail to Central Otago.

After a while we embarked down the streets and into Auckland’s prime dining area, Ponsonby. My challenge was to convince him that excellent New Zealand Pinot Noir could also be found in Martinborough and Marlborough. The Spanish themed wine bar provided a great venue with a first rate wine list and hours later we returned both having been convinced that New Zealand makes plenty of good Pinot Noir!

The new world has for many years struggled to perfect Pinot Noir compared to the great Burgundy wines. It is really only in the last 15 years that Australia and New Zealand have emerged to join Oregon in the US as premium Pinot Noir producers. Winemakers often describe the grape variety as the “most difficult grape to perfect”; it requires ideal growing conditions, warm to cool climate and the right clone. The wines can be like silk running through your mouth with superb depth and flavours, on the other hand they can be thin and taste like bad Ribena! The variance is massive, as are the vineyards and regions globally. The regions of Central Otago, and Martinborough lead the way in New Zealand with Marlborough & Canterbury hot on their heels.

Martinborough is located 40 miles east of New Zealand’s capital Wellington. The drive takes you through the countryside and into the region; my reward was the stunning Wharekauhau lodge that is based on a 5000 acre working sheep station overlooking the spectacular Palliser Bay. The Lodge is imbued with a warmth and character seldom found in a modern hotel.

The design, sumptuous furnishings, exquisite tableware and outstanding cuisine all combine to satisfy the senses. The indoor lap pool and gym is a great additional feature, especially after the cuisine. My trip around the region offered a wonderful diverse range of vineyards.

Top of the list is the founder and creator of Martinborough Estate, Larry McKenna, who today has established the Escarpment Vineyard and maybe the best of all! The depth and complexity, but still elegance of his wines confirms his greatness as a Pinot Noir winemaker. Even lovers of the great Burgundy wines would have to admit that these wines are outstanding. Have I just found the best of both worlds?

A quick flight over the Cook Straight and I arrive at the town of Blenheim. As we descend into the airport I see the endless sight of vineyards. The region of Marlborough has become the queen of Sauvignon Blanc, but Pinot Noir is now a real force. My choice of hotel is the luxurious Hotel d’Urville, which used to be the old Public Trust building and was built in the art deco style in the 1920’s.

Located in the centre of Blenheim the hotel is very different to the traditional lodges. The vast vineyards and landscapes are spectacular, the cloudy bay label of endless mountains and blue sky crate a magic setting. The quality and value for money on offer is just brilliant, where else can I buy high quality Pinot Noir for under $30. The price is often what scares people off from venturing into good Pinot Noir, but here that is not the case.

This is the region of the big companies, from Nobilo, Montana, Stoneleigh to Cloudy Bay, all making very smart wines. I depart after a few wonderful days and drive south, following the stunning countryside to Christchurch and into “Lord of the Rings country. The snow-capped mountains create a beautiful image as I arrive into the Canterbury region.

I have arranged to stay over at the newly renovated Otahuna Lodge, the hosts; Miles Refo and Hall Cannon greet me on the driveway. As I settle in I am enthralled with the beauty the have recreated. Dinner is a delight and I doze off in front of the fire as I dream about my next few days.

Long, dry summers, abundant sunshine and relatively cool growing conditions are a feature in Canterbury, which is sheltered from the coast by a low range of hills, can be significantly warmer. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most widely planted grape varieties, together making up nearly 60% of the region’s vineyard. I loved the Chardonnay’s, classic rich styles, but the stand out Pinot was the Giesen Reserve 1999, with Muddy Waters and Pegasus Bay well placed.

As I head south along the coast my views of the Pacific Ocean and the plains turn towards the magic mountains of Mount Cook. The awaresome nature of South Island and the Southern Alps are a sensational sight, the sun shines from clear blue sky’s making it a picture perfect drive. I slowly begin to arrive into world’s southernmost wine region of Central Otago, and arrive into Queenstown. I love this town, full of action with snowfields, water sports and every dreamable outdoor activity, including Pinot tastings!!

I settle in to the elegant Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa for my first night and watch the town come to life. The central location means a short walk to everything, my choice is the superb bar at Eichardts Private Hotel where a Tapas style dinner is served. Next day I head off to visit and taste my way around, the area of Bannockburn is often said to have the best and that is quickly confirmed. The Olssens Slapjack Creek Reserve is quite brilliant. The Amisfield winery at Lake Hayes and Gibbston Valley are both wineries that dreams are made out of. The location, cellar door design and wines are excellent, confirming why the region has such a strong reputation. My only slight feeling is that many of wines have very similar flavors, where as Martinborough had more distinctive and individual flavors, but overall the quality is brilliant.

It is with heavy feet that I board the plane and head home, as the plane gains altitude over the snow-clad mountains, I ponder if I have found the perfect Pinot Noir? A few stand out, but overall New Zealand has produced a sensational countryside with great accommodation and simply stunning wines!

No wonder they are well respected on the global Pinot Noir map. My search will have to continue; next stop the southern states of Australia!