We arrived in Auckland early Sunday morning and was ready for our very first New Zealand wine tasting adventure with Phil Parker's Fine Wine Tours.

Phil got us off to a fine start. I had asked for 6 wineries to visit and Phil accommodated our group of 6. He arrived on time and provided a printed itinerary along with the list of wines with tasting notes for each of the wineries we were to visit. To enhance our wine experience even more, he provided a cheese platter. Phil is a very interesting guy with an extensive knowledge not only of wines and New Zealand but music as well. We used Phil's book, "Mad Keen Wine Buff's Road Trip", to plan our New Zealand wine tasting trip. I highly recommend his book. It's a very comprehensive wine tour book of New Zealand broken down with very detailed itineraries for you to follow. We had Phil sign our book at the end of the tour. Phil went the extra mile for us. He made sure we were comfortable and anticipated our every need. I lost my eyeglasses on the trip and Phil found them in his vehicle after our tour. He sent them to me at my hotel in Blenheim on an overnight courier. He refused my offer of payment for his efforts. I just heard that Phil has added a Waiheke Island Wine Tour. To do that tour with Phil will be on our to-do list when we return to New Zealand next time.

Reviewed almost 14 years ago and experienced in January 2011