Gary Barlow is swapping stadiums and Take That for vineyards, local food and a rather different kind of adventure.
The singer and self-confessed wine enthusiast has travelled across New Zealand with comedian Jason Manford for a new six-part ITV series, Gary Barlow's Food and Wine Tour: New Zealand. The pair's trip takes them from Auckland to Queenstown, Central Otago, Blenheim, the Marlborough Sounds and Hawke's Bay, with the country's food, wine, people and spectacular scenery all on the menu.
A good-looking country
Gary reckons New Zealand makes one seriously good-looking backdrop. As he puts it in the opening scenes, in his unmistakable northern accent: “It’s one good looking country”.
The series is the third instalment of Gary's global food and wine travels, following earlier adventures in South Africa and Australia. This time, he's brought his long-time friend Jason along for the ride, with the pair meeting producers, chefs, winemakers and local communities along the way.
Māori welcome and Michelin-starred dining
Their adventure begins in Auckland, where Gary receives a pōwhiri, a ceremonial Māori welcome, before getting stuck into the city's food scene. He joins acclaimed chef Ben Bayly, whose farm-to-table approach has helped shape Auckland's dining scene, for a taste of contemporary New Zealand cuisine.
Gary samples dishes at Bayly's MICHELIN Starred restaurant Ahi before heading out to Waiheke Island, where he attempts to harvest olives and samples wine from boutique vineyard Man O War.
Adventure and scenery
Elsewhere, the pair take on some distinctly less relaxing activities, including tandem cycling through vineyards, visiting a sacred Māori site at dawn and zip-lining through native forest. There is also time for a barbecue on Waiheke Island, where Ben Bayly serves freshly caught produce with the ocean effectively becoming his larder.
Gary and Jason explore one of Central Otago's walking trails before cooling off with a taste of L&P, while another highlight sees them spotting dolphins aboard the Coastal Pacific railway. The duo also climb into a vintage car to take in Napier's famous Art Deco architecture before finishing their trip with a meal and final glass of wine at the foot of Te Mata Peak.
Final toast
That final stop is at Craggy Range, a family-owned wine destination where chefs prepare the food for their last taste of the country. Gary said: "What stood out about New Zealand's food and wine was the story behind every experience. Every meal, every glass of wine, and every ingredient had some kind of connection with the people, place and the natural environment.
"I experienced firsthand how New Zealand's pure flavours are shaped by a deep respect for the land and a genuine spirit of hospitality. And in the world of wine, New Zealand is right up there with some of the best vineyards in the world. The difference between the North and South Island and the East and West Coast is just unbelievable and so much is packed into these two islands in the South Pacific."
Jason added: "A trip to New Zealand with Gary was one of the biggest privileges of my life. I’ve never seen such an incredible country, the scenery, the people, the food and of course discovering wine with Gary and a host of experts! Me and Gary have been mates for years but to have so much time together talking, laughing, learning and getting to know each other away from the pressures of work and life was a real treat. I came back with some fantastic memories and I cannot wait to take my own family back to New Zealand."
The series arrives as New Zealand joins the MICHELIN Guide, putting an even bigger spotlight on its restaurants and producers. René de Monchy at 100% Pure New Zealand said Gary's journey gives viewers a chance to see the country through its “world-class produce and wine, warm hospitality, rich cultural connections and unforgettable natural settings.”
Gary Barlow's Food and Wine Tour: New Zealand, in association with Tourism New Zealand & Great Rail Journeys, airs on Sunday, 30th August on ITV. For viewers tempted to follow in Gary and Jason's footsteps, a 21-day Grand Tour of New Zealand by rail with Great Rail Journeys starts from £6799 per person, including flights from Heathrow.
