ESCAPES grapes down here, and the queen of Otago wineries is arguably Rippon. Founded by Lois and (the late) Rolfe Mills in the 1970s (against most people’s advice), Rippon is the region’s trailblazer. Still family-run, the vineyard is just outside Wanaka, one of New Zealand’s most beautiful towns. Standouts are its rich, spicy Mature-Vine Pinot Noirs: Tinker’s Field and Emma’s Block. Rippon doesn’t have a café, but Wanaka is loaded with places to sip. When you eventually get to the end of the line at Queenstown, if you missed anything en route, drop into Wine Tastes, a sampling bar (like Central’s California Vintage) that’s all Kiwi, all the time. Drink up.
Getting there Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand fly direct to Auckland multiple times daily
Staying there New Zealand has a good range of quality accommodation, from major hotels to roadside motels and cosy bed-and-breakfast joints. Various Jasons accommodation directories are available at car-rental agencies and at tourist-information i-SITEs that cover every corner of the country
Getting around
Online information • New Zealand: www.newzealand.com • Auckland: www.aucklandnz.com • Wine regions: www.matakanawine.com; www.otagowine.com; www.waihekewine.co.nz; www.waiparawine.co.nz
Read more about accessible and exciting holiday destinations under magazine articles/escapes at www.arounddb.com
There are plenty of car-hire agencies, and if you’re doing a road trip shop around to find one that includes a ferry ticket in its rental price. New Zealand’s roads are generally well maintained a n d e a sy to navig ate, a n d of f- road ve hi c le requirements are clearly marked on maps and highways. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown have good local bus services. Taxis can be pricey
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