Fabulous Ladies Tour of Queenstown & Central Otago, NZ 2024
3 – 8 March 2024
Fully Booked
In partnership with Travelling Divas
We’re heading across the ditch. To one of the world’s most isolated, picturesque and exciting wine regions – Central Otago, New Zealand! Our first ever tour of this beautiful region is set to take place 3 – 8 March 2024 and we’re calling all lovers of premium wine and luxury travel to join us.
Starting and finishing in stunning Queenstown, this all-inclusive, five-star tour is focused on showing you some of the region’s best wines, getting you up close and personal with the women in wine of the area, deepening your understanding of Central Otago’s terroir, and also giving you plenty of time to just soak in the incredible natural beauty.
Queenstown & Central Otago Tour Highlights Include
- Personally hosted wining, dining and tasting events at the region’s most esteemed women-led wineries
- An exclusive itinerary of special visits not available to the public
- Five star luxury accommodation every night
- Come away with a deep knowledge and appreciation of Central Otago’s unique terroir and wine styles
- Tick one of the world’s most picturesque wine regions off your bucket list
- Breathe the air and restore your soul – whilst wining and dining your heart out!
We’ve lined up an incredible wine-soaked itinerary for you, that includes very special VIP visits with some of Central Otago’s most influential women in wine. Including:
- Annabel Bulk from Felton Road
- Kerry Stainton-Herbert from Stewart Town Vineyard
- Rosie Menzies from Carrick Wines
- Nicky Sygrove from Kinross
- Kate Barnett from Pinot Junction
– plus more to be announced!
Plus there’s delicious fine dining, and the breathtaking scenery of this incredible part of the world to enjoy.
As always, our wine tours focus on women in wine, are conducted in partnership with our friends at Travelling Divas and are fully escorted by FLWS founder Jane Thomson. With a maximum of just 12 guests, our tours are both intimate and loads of fun! They also happen to be the ONLY all-women wine tours in Australia.
Come on your own and make new friends for life, or book in with a friend or two – single and twin share options are both available. We can’t wait to host you in Central Otago in March 2024!
+ - Tour Itinerary
MARCH 2024
DAY 1 – SUNDAY 03: WELCOME TO QUEENSTOWN
Arrive into the beautiful city of Queenstown. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. It is about a 20 minute transfer and Jane will be at the hotel to greet you. Check in, rest and relax.
Depending on our arrival time, take a wander downtown to get your bearings, and to see what Queenstown has to offer!
This evening you meet for a pre-dinner drink and chat, before enjoying a gorgeous Welcome Dinner with local wines. A great way to get to know each other and get the lowdown for the coming week.
Overnight Accommodation: Hotel St Moritz M Gallery
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
DAY 2 – MONDAY 04: YOUR FIRST TASTE OF CENTRAL OTAGO
Central Otago is one of the Southern-most grape growing regions in the world and is arguably the world’s most spectacular setting for vineyards. It is best known for its rich, mineral-laden Pinot Noir and its’ dramatic landscape, but also produces exceptional whites like Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.
Today you will head out to the spectacular area of Bannockburn where you will enjoy private experiences at to two beautiful and exclusive wineries – Felton Road and Carrick wines. Lunch will be at Carrick Wines.
Later in the afternoon, tummies and hearts full, it is back to Queenstown and dinner at leisure. There are some amazing places to eat in town in Cow Lane and along the waterfront so get adventurous and see what you can find…recommendations will be provided beforehand should you want to book before you get to Queenstown.
Overnight Accommodation: Hotel St Moritz M Gallery
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and wine tastings as mentioned
DAY 3 – TUESDAY 05: PAMPER AND SIP
After a delicious breakfast, it is pamper time with a morning soak and a glass of bubbles at the Onsen Hot Pools just outside of Queenstown. Enjoy a wonderfully relaxing hour overlooking the beautiful river, watching the shotover jets whizz by and sipping on a sparkling wine – total bliss (swim suit essential!).
Then it is time to head to Mora Winery for a light lunch and a wine or two before heading into Arrowtown for a wander and shop around this delightful historic village.
Back to Queenstown for a little lie down before we head out for a spectacular evening at the cellar door of Kinross. Women in wine from across the local region will gather to meet us and talk us through their wines, before we all enjoy a degustation dinner from local produce accompanied by more local wine!
Overnight Accommodation: Hotel St Moritz M Gallery
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and wine tastings as mentioned
DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY 06: A DAY OF WINE DELIGHTS
This morning a leisurely start to the day. Enjoy breakfast with a view and then head out for a walk around the lake before meeting at 11 am to head out for the rest of day/evening!
Today you head to Stewart Town Vineyard where you will be hosted at the private home of the President of Central Otago Women in Wine, Kerry Stainton-Herbert. Kerry will be hosting us for long and leisurely lunch, regaling us with stories and educating us about the region and, of course, serving up plenty of her gorgeous wines.
After lunch, we’re off to Old Cromwell for a wander around this historic heritage precinct, with buildings dating from the gold rush of the 1860’s. Not only gorgeous to explore, but you can enjoy a little ‘passeggiata’ post lunch before your next wine event!
Late this afternoon you will meet another amazing group of winemaking women from the region, and over a relaxed dinner of delicious pizzas at the gorgeous Pinot Junction you will taste and learn about their beautiful wines as well.
Back to the hotel to get ready for another great day tomorrow!
Overnight Accommodation: Hotel St Moritz M Gallery
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and wine tastings as mentioned
DAY 5 – THURSDAY 07: LEISURE TIME, OUT ON THE LAKE AND A FAREWELL DINNER TO DIE FOR.
This morning take your time. Go explore, go shop, get pampered or head up the hill on the gondola for a spectacular view of the city. This morning is all yours to make your memories of Queenstown – or just do the things you haven’t managed to do as yet (like take in a sneaky pastry at the Bakery Queenstown – I can assure you it is a must).
Then meet in the lobby of the hotel to walk down for a leisurely cruise on the TSS Earnslaw, a local and iconic experience, taking in the extraordinary scenery surrounding you, as you cruise on the lake out to Walter’s Peak. Enjoy a visit to a local farm including a bbq lunch with wine, and a bit of a peek into farm life before heading back later in the day.
This evening a farewell dinner at The Botswana Butchery including a selection of local wines chosen by your gorgeous host, Jane Thomson, to round out a fabulous tour!
Overnight Accommodation: Hotel St Moritz M Gallery
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner including wine
DAY 6 – FRIDAY 08: TIME TO SAY FAREWELL
This morning enjoy breakfast before checking out late morning. Group airport transfers wto the airport to meet your flight times. Details will be advised.
Included Meals: Breakfast
+ - Tour Price & Inclusions
Tour Price: Twin share per person: $5650 Single is $6895 per person
Tour Dates: 3 – 8 MARCH 2024
Tour Starts & Ends: Queenstown
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Fully escorted by Jane Thomson OAM, Founder of The Fabulous Ladies Wine Society
5 nights’ in 5-star luxury accommodation, Hotel St Moritz M Gallery Queenstown
Breakfast daily
Meals & exclusive wine experiences as per the itinerary
Activities as per the itinerary
Wine inclusive with all meals
Wine tastings and associated fees
Group airport arrival and departure transfers*
Private transport throughout
Government taxes and surcharges
* Please note: recommended flight arrivals ex Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne will be advised once the minimum numbers are reached and the departure confirmed – they will be Qantas flights. If you choose to arrive or depart outside of these flights the transfers will be at your own expense. Adelaide & Perth and most regional departures connect over Sydney or Melbourne.
NOT INCLUDED:
The price does not include international flights, travel insurance, tips, items of a personal nature, optional tours outside those included in the itinerary, meals and beverages unless specified, visas or passport, telephone and wi-fi costs. Anything extraneous costs incurred outside of the inclusions are at your own expense.
+ - Getting There
Both Qantas and Virgin offer regular flights to Queenstown from most capital cities. Air New Zealand is also an option from some cities.
+ - Accommodation
Hotel St Moritz M Gallery
A boutique hotel in the heart of Queenstown offering scenic alpine views. The architecture and interiors offer intriguing works of art, bespoke furniture and cocooning colours, which highlight the unique charm of Queenstown and the serenity of the surroundings. Decorated with style and elegance, our spacious rooms & suites provide the same sense of calm and serenity. The blend of textures, colours and light combine to make this “alpine residence” a unique haven where sensorial delights await you. Lombardi Bar, Dining Room, Library and Den create the Lombardi Quarter a signature establishment that offers an array of dining styles and spaces.
HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE?
Simply fill in the booking form and pay a deposit. You only need to ensure your deposit is paid in order to confirm your place for this March 2024 departure!