Luxury New Zealand Food & Wine Experiences

New Zealand is a paradise for gourmets and oenophiles. A luxury New Zealand food and wine experience takes in the best this country has to offer.

Its once humble cuisine has been elevated with the freshest of ingredients and a blend of influences from Europe, Asia, and Polynesia, while its wines are quickly gaining world recognition.

Orchards, vineyards, and bays abound with fresh fare, and New Zealand’s mouth-watering gourmet cuisine highlights the integrity of these distinct ingredients.

Diverse wine regions throughout the North and South Islands take advantage of unique microclimates to cultivate superb varietals. Meanwhile, coastal regions teem with fresh seafood, from oyster and paua (abalone) to salmon and crayfish (lobster).

For a taste of the country’s best, don’t miss these luxury food and wine experiences in New Zealand.

The Top Luxury New Zealand Food and Wine Experiences

hawkes bay wineries — Sampling wines on a private tour at a Hawkes Bay vineyard

1. Enjoy a wine tasting tour

On an exclusive winery tour, you will witness the passion each vintner invests in their wines and the unique terroir that produces such fine grapes.

From the lush hills of Marlborough, home of the country’s most renowned Sauvignon Blanc, to the towering, rocky mountains of Central Otago, where Pinot Noir grapes flourish, New Zealand’s wine regions are stunningly diverse.

For instance, Waiheke Island, tucked in the Auckland harbour, is the perfect boutique wine destination. Combine breathtaking scenery with haute cuisine–olives and oysters are specialties of the island as much as wines, and can be enjoyed at several gourmet restaurants–and a wine tour on Waiheke Island will be an unforgettable start to your New Zealand food and wine experience.

Luxury wine tours in Queenstown are elevated to once-in-a-lifetime experiences with helicopter transport. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the towering mountains en route to each picturesque winery.

Te Puia geothermal reserve and Maori cultural preserve, New Zealand — A traditional Maori greeting called a Hongi

2. Experience a traditional Hangi feast

For an immersive taste of Maori culture, a Hangi feast is a tantalizingly immersive experience.

In addition, a private Hangi is a chance to connect with your hosts. Join them as they share a traditional Maori welcome. After that, your hosts will invite you as friends to partake in their most cherished meal. The Hangi is cooked long and slow underground, using heated volcanic stones, and the fare is simple and hearty.

TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak Queenstown New Zealand food and wine — Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm

3. Return to New Zealand’s roots with a gourmet meal at a high country farm

New Zealand’s vast high country farms are legendary, sprawling over remote mountain valleys and beside sparkling lakes, run by intrepid souls with a taste for adventure.

Therefore, a gourmet meal at one of these high country stations is a chance to experience the solitude and majesty of New Zealand’s wild places firsthand.

The BBQ meal at Walter Peak High Country Farm, a short boat ride from Queenstown, is justly famous. And those seeking a more exclusive experience should indulge in the helicopter tour and private gourmet meal at Mt Nicholas Station.

marlborough new zealand wine — Views over a Marlborough vineyard

4. Stay overnight at a vineyard

With picturesque surroundings and boutique rooms, vineyards are a delightful place to stay in New Zealand. Some of the best vineyard stays are situated in the Central Otago wine region surrounding Queenstown. Here, you will find a perfect balance of solitude and convenience.

During your stay, connect with your host over a delicious meal and several glasses of their finest wines.

Crayfish at Hapuku Lodge and Restaurant Kaikoura New Zealand food and wine — Crayfish at Hapuku Lodge and Restaurant Kaikoura

5. Sample gourmet wild foods

From crayfish and venison to manuka honey and pikopiko fern fronds, wild foods comprise some of New Zealand’s most memorable fine dining experiences.

Catch crayfish on an immersive overnight cruise through the towering majesty of Doubtful Sound, fish for trout on a wilderness adventure, or dig deeper on a wild food experience at Treetops Lodge & Estate.

In addition, you will find opportunities to sample wild foods around the country, from honey stalls at farmers’ markets to world-class restaurants pushing the boundaries with local cuisine.