Uniquely California - A Behind the Scenes Wine and Food Tour

A California wine and food match experience like none other! Join native Californian and Feast & Vine founder, Donna McCormack, and respected New Zealand sommelier, Nicola Belsham, for a rare one week behind the scenes excursion through Northern California’s major appellations.

Our groups are deliberately small to allow for plenty of individual attention. Donna draws on her knowledge and contacts to bring you an insider’s tour of the three major Northern Californian appellations; the Anderson Valley, the Sonoma Valley and the famed Napa Valley. This tour can only be arranged by a local as our intimate group visits private family-run invitation only wineries where you will meet the winemakers and have the opportunity to discuss their wine making techniques.

Donna has arranged chef demo’s at the private homes of celebrity chefs where you will enjoy wine and food matched lunch and dinner menu’s created exclusively for our group. Private tour of the famed Culinary Institute of America in the Napa Valley with wine match lunch and so much more!

The Feast and Vine venue is not a cooking class tour but rather a wine and food match excursion through Northern California’s three key appellations. Four and five star accommodations with down time to take photos, explore San Francisco, shop on your own or relax beside the pool are all a part of your experience. A private customised second week can be designed for you as your own add on so that your California experience will be truly memorable. Click below to see sample itinerary and further details.

Uniquely New Zealand - A Behind the Scenes Wine and Food Tour

New Zealand – voted one of the top travel destinations in the world. Is it any wonder what with internationally acclaimed scenery, award winning wines and superb indigenous local ingredients? Your Feast & Vine one week tour begins in Wellington – reputed to have the country’s best dining and the proud winner of many of New Zealand’s best restaurant of the year awards.

Donna McCormack, the founder of Feast & Vine, now makes her home in Wellington and has explored all of the secret out of the way haunts that locals love, to make your tour authentic and special. Donna has created a wine and food match excursion through the main appellations of Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, Marlborough and Nelson. Renown local New Zealand sommelier, Nicola Belsham, joins Donna throughout our tour lending expert advice and knowledge. You will visit private family-run by invitation only boutique wineries only the locals know about. Chef demos and exclusively designed lunch and dinner menus are prepared for our intimate group allowing for plenty of individual attention.

In addition to focusing on the world famous wine and food aspects of New Zealand, you will see wild coastlines, rugged interiors, superb beaches and some of the finest national parks in the world.

A Feast and Vine venue is not a cooking class tour but rather a wine and food match excursion through New Zealand’s famous wine appellations. Four and five star accommodations with down time to take photos, explore stops along the way, shop on your own or relax pool side make this experience truly unique. A private customised second week can be designed for you as your own add on so that your New Zealand experience will be truly memorable. Click below to see sample itinerary and further details.

Details available early 2010.

Personal Travel Hosts

Donna McCormack, founder of Feast and Vine and native Californian, hosts this exceptionally intimate behind the scenes wine and food excursion through Northern California’s stunning wine appellations. Donna’s resume includes extensive wine and food study at the Culinary Institute of America as well as literally hundreds of wine and food classes around the world. Donna currently writes the monthly wine and food match column for New Zealand and Australia’s Inflight magazine.

Nicola Belsham joins our tour as our resident sommelier. Nicola is a noted wine consultant and owner of the Wineseeker wine shop in Wellington, New Zealand. Nicola earned her stripes in the wine business whilst working for London giant wine retailer, Oddbins. Now based on a vineyard in Martinborough New Zealand, Nicola currently works alongside her wine-maker husband, both in the winery and vineyard.

All sessions and events are guided personally by Donna and Nicola at all times. Learn the differences between Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere wine making techniques and food and wine pairing from two local experts.