Guest Comments
“Recommended” by TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, Fodors, Rough Guides.
A guest book is provided in the van, plus many people have volunteered their endorsement of our Auckland wine tours over the years. I also receive emails from guests. Here is a sample:
Fine Wine Tours is the natural choice for personal wine tours to Waiheke Island, wine tours to Matakana and wine tours to Kumeu wine region, and large group wine tours in Auckland.
Thank you so much for organising and looking after us for the day ( you were probably wondering what you had let yourself in for!!!).
I can speak for everyone in saying that we all had a fabulous day!
Thanks again.
Kind regardsMegan – Auckland New Zealand March 2012
Just a quick line to thank you again for such a wonderful tour. Larry and I really enjoyed the entire tour. It was so nice to also see the highlights of Aukland as well as the wineries. We thought you were so professional yet friendly and down to earth. Enjoyed the lunch and dinner as well..and all the wonderful cheese with the wine tasting. Also thank you for your book…we’ll enjoy reading it. Good luck with your tour business and we will definitely recommend you to our friends and hope to see you again if we ever make it back to Auckland. Thanks again,
Sharon and Larry – California USA, February 2012
Our food and wine tour with Phil was just fantastic. He’s a real local – he knows the vineyards, the farms, the chick at the cheese shop, the guy at the bakery, the purveyors at Auckland’s amazing fish market and everyone who’s anyone in the artisan food and wine world he’s lucky enough to inhabit. He’ll show you the breathtaking views and the best places to eat, and, most importantly, he’ll introduce you to New Zealand’s *incredible* wines. Plus, he’s terrific company! Phil’s fun and informative tour of New Zealand’s food and wine scene is a must-do activity for any trip to Auckland. We’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Kimbaroni, Stuttgart – Germany from TripAdvisor review, August 2011
A short note to thank you for the great wine tour during our recent visit to Auckland. We used your book, the Mad Keen Wine Buff’s Road Trip, on several occasions during our trip to North and South New Zealand. Look forward to seeing you again on our next visit. Will recommend your tour to others, and your knowledge of New Zealand wines. Phil, Toronto – February 21 2011
Had a great day – awesome. Thank you.
Sanjay and Shalini, London – January 2011
Beautiful! Love the country and the wine.
Dan and Holly, San Diego – September 9 2010
So fantastic with warm hospitality!
Nori and Naoto, Tokyo – August 21 2010
Great time, great host, very informative. Loved it!
Sue & Nalin, Sydney – March 11 2010
Lovely experience.
George & Joe, Winthrop Massachusetts February 14 2010
Among the wine tours – the best. Many Thanks.
Catherine and Jim, Hampshire UK, January 12 2010
Wonderful day, great host! Definitely recommended.
Annette and Rowan, Auckland, November 11 2010
We’ve voted your tour as one of our very top in Australia and New Zealand – and we did 8 wine tours in our 29 days! You were thoroughly informative and lots of fun to be with. Thanks again!
Tom & Maureen, Sydney, January 5 2009
Really fantastic tours, great wine and a good time! Thanks
Angel & Kyra, California, USA – April 24 2008
We had a lot of fun! It was a beautiful tour, with wonderful wine!
Thanks, PhilRebecca & Lindsey, North Carolina, USA – April 17 2008
Best wine tour in NZ. Superb wines, Great host, fantastic food and lively conversation.
Patricia, Minnesota, USA – November 01 2007
Wonderful tour. Thanks, Phil for your warm hospitality, wine knowledge and very helpful information on the sights to see and places to eat. Great day!
John & Donna, California, USA – October 15 2007
Phil Parker is the best guide for New Zealand wine and foodie culture. Low key, knowledgeable, well-paced tours in a comfortable van bouncing through the New Zealand wine country with Phil is about the best way we have discovered to enjoy New Zealand!
Susan & Hugh, Fiji, (Ex-USA) – May 14 2007
We had a great day, fantastic lunch and nice wines. Thank you! I’m happy to know about NZ wines!
Matoko & Mariko, Osaka, Japan – February 21 2007
Thank you for a wonderful day of wine tasting. Very relaxed & friendly. We also learnt a lot about our great NZ wines. Cheers!
Rachel & Ian, Auckland, NZ – February 10 2007
Beautiful, relaxing and informative tour. A great day, well worth making time for!
Carolyn, Arlington, Texas – July 22 2006
A great day! Thanks for your warm hospitality and your attention to detail which make the tour an added pleasure.
Maria, Minnesota, USA – April 22 2006
After wine tasting tours in California, South Africa, Chile and Australia, this is the BEST wine tour ever. Hurrah to Phil for a perfect day. Thank you.
Gerry, California, USA – April 4 2006
Amazing trip. How amazing? That’s beyond my capability to describe in English. Thank you Phil, for such a great time.
Mina, Washington DC, USA and Chika, Germany – January 11 2006
Absolutely fabulous way to be introduced properly to NZ wines and Auckland’s surrounds.
Penny (Travel Agent), Sydney, Australia – June 25 2005
Great Pinot Noir and lunch, thank you! Great introduction to N.Z. Good food, good wine, clean air, good host! Thank you very much. We’ll recommend to others.
Margaret and Maura, Canada & UK – March 8 2005
Our first winery tour and we had a pleasant experience with a friendly host. The last part of our trip – but certainly the best and the most relaxing.
Ruby and Leo, Manila – March 4 2005
I just wanted to send a quick email to thank you for everything! The Great Auckland Food & Wine Tour which you took me and my parents. It was a wonderful tour full of great vistas and wonderful food & wine. Your tour was very enjoyable (and delicious!). I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants the ultimate gourmet tour of Auckland . Keep up the great work!
Thanks again for everything!
Best regards.Akiko, New York – February 25 2005
A short note to express our appreciation for the wonderful day you guided us through touring the wineries of West Auckland . It was fabulous not only to receive your comments on the wines themselves, but the added background on the founders, made it just that little “special” for a wine buff like myself.
May you continue to delight your clients with the wonderful approach you have. Well done and thanks again from these two delighted Aussies.Angelo & Shirley, Sydney – Feb 8 2005
Brilliant day. Good food and wine. Recommend to all.
Dave and Linds, Ipswitch. February 4 2005