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:
Phil’s company – Fine Wine Tours Auckland is the natural choice for personal to Waiheke Island wine tours, Matakana wine tours, Kumeu wine tours, and large group wine tours in Auckland. Also private Auckland wine tours by arrangement..
What People Say
We spent a great day on the Wine and Food Tour a few weeks ago. This was a soft and savory tour that took us to three local wineries. We were offered a great variety of wines; if we had sampled them all, we wouldn’t have made it standing till the end. A high point of the day was being accompanied by the host and owner of the tour, Phil Parker, who like the wine provided a dry, crisp, aromatic commentary for the day’s journey. Where else can you get such individual attention from such a wine expert. It was worth every cent. P.S. Definitely pay for the extra cheese plate. The combination of all three––dry wine, savory cheese, and soft conversation–– is a perfect triad.
R & R McMullin
Hawaii
Thanks so much for showing Chrissy and I around last week. Even the extra time you put in was much appreciated. I’ll look to jump on Trip Advisor this evening and give you a write up. Thanks again Phil as our day with you was one of the highlights from our trip.
Brad & Chrissie
Australia
Knowledgeable, low key but no pressure. Thoughtful and considered our interests. A great day!
John & Sue
Australia
We went on Phil Parker’s half-day wine-tasting tour of the Kumeu region. It was a birthday treat and a chance to learn more about wine-tasting without the stress of organising and driving.
Phil is a congenial guide with a broad knowledge of wine and a good rapport with the owners and staff at the three vineyards we visited. He patiently responded to all our questions, while still encouraging us to form our own opinions of the wine.
The best things about the tour are that the price is all-inclusive and we can just sit back and enjoy the experience. There are no hidden extra costs, and the three vineyards we visited were welcoming and offered an extensive tasting menu. As we travelled back to Auckland, the tastes were all happily blurring together. Is the tour good value when you could just organise a self-drive tour of the same vineyards? The difference for us was that Phil took the hassles out of the day, and is a friendly knowledgeable guide. You’re never too old to learn something new and have a good time.
Andrew & Geraldine
Auckland New Zealand
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.
Megan
Auckland New Zealand
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.
Megan
Auckland New Zealand
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
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
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
Had a great day – awesome. Thank you.
Sanjay and Shalini
London
Beautiful! Love the country and the wine.
Dan and Holly
San Diego
So fantastic with warm hospitality!
Nori and Naoto
Tokyo
Great time, great host, very informative. Loved it!
Sue & Nalin
Sydney
Lovely experience.
George & Joe
Winthrop Massachusetts
Among the wine tours – the best. Many Thanks.
Catherine and Jim
Hampshire UK
Wonderful day, great host! Definitely recommended.
Annette and Rowan
Auckland
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
Really fantastic tours, great wine and a good time! Thanks
Angel & Kyra
California, USA
We had a lot of fun! It was a beautiful tour, with wonderful wine!
Rebecca & Lindsey
North Carolina, USA
Best wine tour in NZ. Superb wines, Great host, fantastic food and lively conversation.
Patricia
Minnesota, USA
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
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
We had a great day, fantastic lunch and nice wines. Thank you! I’m happy to know about NZ wines!
Matoko & Mariko
Osaka, Japan
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
Beautiful, relaxing and informative tour. A great day, well worth making time for!
Carolyn
Arlington, Texas
A great day! Thanks for your warm hospitality and your attention to detail which make the tour an added pleasure.
Maria
Minnesota, USA
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
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
Absolutely fabulous way to be introduced properly to NZ wines and Auckland’s surrounds.
Penny
Sydney, Australia
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
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
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
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
Brilliant day. Good food and wine. Recommend to all.
Dave and Linds
Ipswitch
Phil Parker’s Fine Wine Tours Auckland is the natural choice for personal and private Waiheke Island Auckland wine tours, Matakana north Auckland wine tours and Kumeu west Auckland Wine tours. Also Auckland winery group tours , plus Auckland foodie – i.e. Auckland food and wine – tours.
