Taste Trails: New Zealand Vineyard Stays

“Better known for outdoorsy thrills and adventures, New Zealand has worked hard over the last couple of decades to earn its status in the wine world. Over three quarters of its wine is produced in the north-eastern corner of the South Island. Visit Marlborough for the perfect combination of diverse wines and extraordinary scenery.

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Vintners Retreat, Renwick
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At the top of Rapaura Road, Marlborough’s ‘Golden Mile’ of vineyards, Vintners Retreat is surrounded by wineries. In under 15 minutes you can walk from your self-contained, serviced villa to four different wineries, from chardonnay-tasting in the sunny courtyard at Giesen Wines to a behind-the-scenes tour at the Nautilus Estate. When you’re not wine-tasting, enjoy swimming, tennis, pétanque and croquet in the retreat’s impressive grounds, along with vineyard and mountain views. Or hire a bike for a ride alongside the Wairau River.

If you want to see more hotels in Marlborough, visit our Marlborough hotels page.

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Lake Timara Lodge, Hawkesbury
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Peace, romance and superb wines – a stay at Lake Timara Lodge epitomises everything there is to love about Marlborough’s wine scene. Established in the 1990s, the pioneering age of winemaking in Marlborough, Spy Valley Wines is one of New Zealand’s most successful boutique family-run wineries, hidden away in Waihopai Valley. And next-door is an 80-acre private estate where you’ll find this luxury lodge. With a focus on local produce in its own kitchen, Lake Timara Lodge can organise tasting and tours.

If you want to see more hotels in Marlborough, visit our Marlborough hotels page.

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Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim
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In the centre of one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand, Chateau Marlborough is a luxury five-star boutique hotel just steps away from cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and artisan food outlets. Take an organised winery tour in a small group with a local expert to sample the very best the area has to offer. If you want to go it alone, the hotel’s exceptionally friendly, helpful team of staff will be able to help you find the best places for sampling sessions and cellar-door sales.

If you want to see more hotels in Blenheim, visit our Blenheim hotels page.

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Marlborough Lodge, Blenheim
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The ultimate indulgent vineyard stay, historic Marlborough Lodge is a gorgeous estate set in vast grounds. Take a tour of local wineries by luxury vehicle or bicycle, tailor-make your own in-depth tour, or join a half-day wine tour, with waterfront lunch followed by a cruise of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Back at the lodge you’re free to wander the grounds or join the head gardener on a vineyard and garden tour. Dinner with a carefully matched wine flight is a speciality in the lodge restaurant.

If you want to see more hotels in Blenheim, visit our Blenheim hotels page.

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Ugbrooke Country Estate, Blenheim
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Just south of Blenheim you’ll find this relaxed estate right in the middle of the Awatere Valley. A heritage-listed historic manor house, boutique Ugbrooke Country Estate was a family home for three generations before it was converted and carefully restored. The hotel is comfortable and informal, and a lovely escape from everyday life. It’s close to Marlborough’s most coastal vineyard, Yealands Estate, where the unique climate and coastal breezes make for unique wine with a distinctively mineral taste.

If you want to see more hotels in Blenheim, visit our Blenheim hotels page.”