Day 1 - Leaving Tauranga we head south and make our first stop for morning tea (it's our shout) and a chance to get to know each other. Suitably refreshed we continue towards Taupo, where our lunch destination is the Lava Glass cafe. Chance to view their colourful glass art while we wait for our meal (lunch is at your cost today).

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Then, travelling through Taupo, we will have great views of the lake and weather permitting - to the snow capped peaks of our iconic volcanos in the distance. Our route east to Napier will offer a variety of landscapes, from plantation and native forests, to deep gorges, until we arrive in the Hawkes Bay. The neatly trimmed vines of the Esk Valley is the location for our first winery visit of the trip to sample some great wines.

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After our wine tasting and having made our purchases, we head to our waterfront Napier City hotel, our base for the next three nights. Tonight we dine at the hotel.

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Day 2 - After a buffet breakfast, we make an early start and head to the Hawkes Bay Farmers Market in Hastings. The market is one of the oldest in New Zealand and was first held back in 2000, it is also one of the largest year-round markets in New Zealand. Check out the stalls and get your coffee and cake fix before we head out to Havelock North, travelling past extensive orchards to Te Mata Peak. The views from the peak are stunning, with a carpet of vineyards far below and mountains in the distance.

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Our next destination is to one of the many wineries in the area. The winery we visit varies depending on the group size and the day of the week but luckily we are spoilt for choice, with well known wineries such as Te Mata, Black Barn and Craggy Range to select from.

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Then we head out towards the coast at Awanga to another boutique wine maker to sample some great wine (and enjoy lunch) at Clearview Estate. Steeped in history, the cellar door and restaurant have become an iconic and awarded destination for both locals and visitors from afar. Time here to discover and learn in a relaxed atmosphere, tasting a selection from the Clearview Estate range in a private tutored tasting hosted by the Cellar Door team. A perfect opportunity to make your wine selection to accompany the included two course lunch which follows. 

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We return to the hotel after our late lunch where you can relax and do your own thing. Dinner this evening is not included (will you need one after our great lunch?) so you are free to dine as you wish, with plenty of options within walking distance. 

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Day 3 - A visit to Napier would not be complete without taking note of the city's Art Deco heritage - so today we start with a visit to the Art Deco Centre. We begin with a viewing of the 1931 Earthquake film which shows the devastation of the city and tells the stories of the people it left behind. Then we embark on a one hour easy walk with a professionally trained Art Deco Trust guide. Napier is recognised as the most complete Art Deco city in the world, a real star of New Zealand's many tourism destinations.

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Following our walk we visit a local cafe for morning tea (your cost) before we head out of town to another leading winery set in the heart of the Gimblett Gravels. This distinct wine growing area now has 800 hectares of vineyards but was once regarded as the poorest, least productive land in Hawke’s Bay, needing about three acres to feed one sheep and no hope of growing a decent crop of anything, what a transformation.

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Our wine tasting experience at Trinity Hill winery will show you what can be achieved in a relatively short time, celebrating more than 20 years of making world-class wines. Our hosts will take us through a tasting of 6-8 premium wines in what was originally a barrel hall, now an impressive space with five metre-high ceilings and a great view of the new barrel hall, where you may see the winemakers at work.

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Then a short drive will bring us to another of Hawkes Bay's iconic producers, but this time it's chocolate. The Silky Oaks Chocolate Centre is our lunch venue and the cafe has a range of light lunch options for you to enjoy (your cost). Time also to taste some of their delicious chocolates at the adjacent factory shop before we depart.

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After lunch we head back into town for another tasting session, this time at the well known Church Road Winery. Founded in 1897 at the site it stands on today, Church Road is one of the oldest wineries and also one of Hawke's Bay’s most awarded. Here we immerse ourselves in the past, present and future of Church Road with the Legacy and Winery Experience, learning about their winemaking philosophy as you sample some pre-release wines. We will also visit the barrel halls, caves and historical underground museum, ending our visit with an in depth wine tasting experience.

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We round off a day of amazing wine tasting with dinner tonight at what many say is Napier's jewel in the crown, the Mission Estate Winery. Established in 1851 by pioneering French Missionaries, it is New Zealand’s oldest winery and really is the birthplace of New Zealand wine. 

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Tonight we dine in the elegantly restored historic seminary building - but first we will taste some of their wines, expertly guided by our host through a selection from their exclusive range. Make your choice to enjoy with our wonderful meal this evening, our last dinner together before we head back home tomorrow. 

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Day 4 - Our last day, and as they say, all good things must come to an end, but what a great time we will have had together in the Hawkes Bay. Departing after breakfast, we begin our journey north, with plenty of stops along the way (maybe even another winery if you wish) and we will have you safely back home by late afternoon.  

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• Please note that the wineries we visit may be liable to change depending on the group size and cellar door opening hours. The order of the visits may also change.

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• If you have specific wineries that you would like to include in the itinerary then please advise us and we will see if these can be included. 

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• If you would like to come on this tour but do not wish to taste the wines, then alternative beverages can be offered.

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All Hinterland multi-day tours can be taken by clients from any region of New Zealand or Australia. Please contact us for details. Additional charges may apply.