Travelers know the quickest way to be immersed in a different culture is to dive into its food and wine. New Zealand In Depth created a new itinerary promising to help with exactly that. The 13-day New Zealand Food and Wine Tour takes in the legendary wine-growing regions of Hawkes Bay on the North Island, and Marlborough and Central Otago on the South Island with plenty of wine and food pairings and local food experiences. Participants will move at their own pace, overnighting in a carefully chosen selection of lodges and inns. The customizable itinerary includes travel by ferry, car and plane beginning in Auckland and ending in Queenstown. The route includes Auckland, Waiheke Island, Napier and Hawke’s Bay on the North Island; and Blenheim, Queenstown and the Marlborough region on the South Island.

Activity choices range from adventure sports and gourmet sailing journeys to vineyard cycling tours and hiking along the Queen Charlotte Track. Wine lovers can sample Bordeaux-style Stonyridge Vineyard Larose on Waiheke Island; Endeavour Chardonnay at Clearview Estate Winery in Hawke’s Bay; barrel-aged Sur Lie Sauvignon Blanc from Hans Herzog; and Alsace-style Gewurztraminer at Johanneshof Cellars in Marlborough. Choices in Central Otago include oak-aged Fume Blanc at Amisfield Winery in Arrowtown and single-vineyard Cornish Point Pinot Noir. Travel dates are available until June 2018. New Zealand In Depth’s team works with clients to build personalized itineraries.