Day 1. Travel to Pegasus Bay Winery, North Canterbury

The Tuscan inspired winery and cellardoor  of Pegasus Bay 

Expected Flights (Trips leave on either Sunday or Monday)
Brisbane to Christchurch (QF135) 09:30am Brisbane-Christchurch Arrive 3.00pm
Sydney to Christchurch ( QF8766)  7.50am Sydney - Christchurch,  Arrive 12.55pm 
Melbourne to Christchurch (QF133) 6.50am Melbourne - Christchurch arrive 12.20pm

The first day is spent travelling on the direct-flight to Christchurch. From the airport, it's about a 50 minute drive to the famed Pegasus Bay winery and restaurant.

We arrive at Pegasus Bay in the afternoon, and jump straight into a tasting of the current wines, with a selection from their cellar.  

Dinner on this first evening is in the wonderful restaurant - one of the most acclaimed in New Zealand, frequently awarded the best regional food destination. We will dine with the Donaldson family, eating locally sourced ingredients and fine Pegasus Bay wine. 

“We love the absolute dedication to showing how great wine paired with excellent food creates an experience that’s so much more than the sum of its parts.”  Pegasus Bay Restaurant, Cuisine Magazine, Good Food Awards

Day 2. Morning at Pegasus Bay, travel to Marlborough Sounds

The morning is spent having a tour of the Pegasus Bay vineyards and winery, learning about the history of this famed family company.

9:00am - Meet in restaurant for light breakfast 
9:30 - 11:30am - Vineyard/property tour and barrel tasting of upcoming releases
12:00pm - Lunch in the restaurant
2pm - Leave Pegasus Bay
7pm - Arrive at Waterfall Bay, Marlborough
7:30pm - Tasting of current release wines, followed by dinner at Waterfall Bay with a selection of cellar releases

The drive to Picton, on the Marlborough Sounds, takes about 4.5 hours, with plenty of options to stop and enjoy the surroundings. It is one of the great drives of the world - a coastal, winding and dramatic trip.

The first sign of Marlborough is the town of Blenheim, where we continue to drive a little further to the lovely town of Picton. From here, we shoot over the Sounds by water taxi to the Seresin home of Waterfall Bay.

We should arrive here around 6:30pm-7:00pm local time, with plenty of sun still about for fishing, swimming and a few good bottles. Enjoy an evening of elegant, delicious cooking, quality wine and relaxing by the water before a good night's sleep in the original Waterfall Bay cottage. 

The second night is spent on the glorious Marlborough Sounds, a short boat ride from the town of Picton.

The Seresin home on the Sounds. This is the scene of your arrival.

A happy place - a sunset spot for fishing and enjoying a glass or two

Day 3. Seresin Estate and the Marlborough Sounds

Understanding the region and Seresin's place in it

We get up bright and early for a day tour of the region, and particularly, of the Seresin Raupo vineyard.

9am - Leave Waterfall Bay by water-taxi
10am - 2pm - Raupo Vineyard Tour, tasting in the vines with a packed-lunch
3:30pm - Arrive back in Picton to return the Waterfall Bay
6:00pm - Final evening dinner at the house 

It takes about an hour to travel from the Sounds back to the wine growing area of Marlborough. Tamra and the Seresin Vineyard Manager will lead a morning tour of the region, stopping at notable spots. Learn about the different valleys, sub-regions, micro-climates and unique features of Marlborough overall. We should be done and ready for a sandwich lunch at the Raupo vineyard by midday.

This day is an opportunity to tour the vineyard, before a focussed tasting of Seresin wines, designed to highlight what makes them so special. We finish in time to make our way back to PIcton and Waterfall Bay.

Today finishes with a night of food and wine on the water - a chance to discuss the day's learnings and appreciate the surroundings.

The view across the original Seresin homeblock

Day 4. Travel back to Australia

The last day in the Sounds is relaxed and un-rushed. 

9:00am - Leave Waterfall Bay, enjoy breakfast and a walk around Picton, before driving to Blenheim airport. 

Blenheim to Sydney
(QF8510) 11.25am Depart Blenheim for Auckland (1h 30m)
(QF146) 3.55pm Depart Auckland for Sydney (3h 40m), arrive Sydney 5.35pm

Blenheim to Melbourne 
(NZ8728)1.25pm Depart  Blenheim for Wellington  (30 min)
(QF172) 3.50pm Depart Wellington for Melbourne (4h 05m) arrive 5.55

Blenheim to Brisbane
(QF8510) 11.25am Depart Blenheim for Auckland  (1h 30m) 
(QF126) 3.15 pm Depart Auckland for Brisbane  (3h 40m) arrive Brisbane 5.10pm