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Blanket Bay Champagne Weekend – 23-25 July 2027

It’s my great pleasure to invite you to join me in a celebration of the greatest champagnes and local Central Otago wines at an exclusive weekend at the spectacular Blanket Bay, on 23-25 July 2027!

Marking ten years of tremendously popular Champagne Weekends around Australia, our inaugural international wine weekend takes us to the shores of Lake Whakatipu. Our winter wonderland escape is set against an alpine backdrop, surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most remote and pristine wilderness at the end of the earth!

Welcome to an immersion in more than 30 of my favourite champagnes and Central Otago pinot noirs, chardonnays and rieslings, with a special focus on the beloved house of Billecart-Salmon, alongside the fabled estates of Egly-Ouriet, Larmandier-Bernier, André Clouet and Jacquesson!

Our Billecart-Salmon Prestige Champagne Masterclass will be a special highlight of the weekend, showcasing seven of the most sublime cuvées of the house, with current and back vintages of Louis Salmon, Nicolas François and Elisabeth Salmon, concluding with Le Clos Saint-Hilaire, including two magnums and two exemplars of the revered 2008 vintage!

A visit to Central Otago would not be complete without experiencing the very best wines of the region, and Blair Walter and Owen Calvert will join us in person to share museum and current vintages of their Felton Road and Calvert Vineyard wines, including a Central Otago Pinot Noir Terroir Masterclass to contrast five single vineyards!

Following a jeroboam of Billecart on arrival, our weekend will commence with a Blanc de Noirs dinner and culminate in a grand finale gala dinner, plus a Blanc de Blancs Lunch, lining up Champagne’s most legendary growers alongside Billecart-Salmon and back vintages from Felton Road and Calvert.

Across the weekend, Blanket Bay’s award-winning Chef Dan Reynolds will match each wine to dishes showcasing New Zealand’s finest, fresh produce, sourced from bespoke local purveyors. Returning to Blanket Bay after a stint in Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, Dan brings together the best of both worlds in his ‘Euro Pacific’ cuisine.

You’ll also have time to immerse yourself in the spectacular wilderness of Blanket Bay. Hiking, jet-boating, horse riding, fly-fishing, zip-lining and Fun-Yaking are all available from the lodge. As are heli-skiing and heli-fishing, for the particularly adventurous! Or simply relax and immerse yourself in holistic, natural healing therapies and wellness experiences within the tranquil surroundings of the Blanket Bay Spa.

This weekend is hosted in conjunction with Puneet Dhall of Dhall & Nash Fine Wines, New Zealand’s leading importer and distributor.

This intimate weekend is reserved exclusively for no more than 30 guests.

I look forward to sharing this very special winter wonderland escape with you!

Friday 23 July 2027

3:00pm: Arrive at Blanket Bay to be greeted with a glass of Billecart-Salmon Le Réserve NV from jeroboam! The lodge is 55 minutes drive or 10 minutes by helicopter or light aircraft from Queenstown Airport. The drive is magnificent and the sealed road offers breathtaking views of hanging valleys, towering mountains, and Lake Whakatipu… even more spectacular from the air!

3:00 – 5:00pm: Spend the afternoon at your leisure exploring the resort. Blanket Bay offers the perfect location for exploring everything this spectacular region has to offer. Jet-boat, horseback, fly-fishing, zip-line, Fun-Yak and hiking tours from the lodge are a small selection of what is offered. For the adventurous, there’s heli-skiing and heli-fishing! Or simply relax by immersing yourself in holistic, natural healing therapies and wellness experiences within the tranquil surroundings of the Blanket Bay Spa.

5:00pm – late: Reconvene in the lodge for our blanc de noirs dinner, featuring five champagne blanc de noirs alongside local pinot noir from Calvert Vineyard, each matched to dishes created by chef Dan Reynolds!

Saturday 24 July 2027

7:30am – 10:00am: Enjoy an à la carte breakfast at your leisure.

10:30am – 11:30am: Join Tyson and local winemaker legends Blair Walter (Felton Road) and Owen Calvert (Calvert Vineyard) in the Villa Great Room for a masterclass exploring the terroirs of Central Otago in five single vineyard pinot noirs. Or enjoy a relaxed morning in the spa, hiking or horse riding.

12:00pm – 1:30pm: Blanc de Blancs Lunch at the Lodge, paired with Billecart-Salmon, Larmandier-Bernier and André Clouet, concluding with local chardonnay from Felton Road!

3:00pm – 4:30pm: Join Tyson for his Billecart-Salmon Prestige Champagne Masterclass. This will be the ultimate opportunity to discover seven of Billecart’s finest cuvées, with current and back vintages of Louis Salmon, Nicolas François and Elisabeth Salmon, concluding with Le Clos Saint-Hilaire! Our line up will showcase two magnums and two exemplars of the revered 2008 vintage!

6:00pm – late: The gala dinner is the grand finale of this exclusive weekend. Enjoy a twilight apéritif before settling into a six-course degustation. The menu highlights the very finest local and seasonal produce, created to complement eight incredible wines of Champagne and Central Otago, including three from Egly-Ouriet and three from Felton Road, all introduced by Tyson.

Sunday 25 July 2027

7:30am – 10:00am: Enjoy breakfast at your leisure, amidst a relaxed morning at the resort.

11:00am: Check out, or make a week of it and extend your stay at Blanket Bay!

ARRIVAL

Billecart-Salmon Le Réserve NV en Jeroboam

BLANC DE NOIRS DINNER FRIDAY

Billecart-Salmon Les Rendez-Vous No. 3 NV

André Clouet Brut Rosé No. 5 NV

André Clouet V6 Experience Grand Cru Pinot Noir NV

Egly-Ouriet Les Vignes de Vrigny 1er Cru Brut NV

Larmandier-Bernier Rosé de Saignée NV

Calvert Pinot Noir 2018

CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT NOIR TERROIR MASTERCLASS

Calvert Pinot Noir 2022

Felton Road Pinot Noir Bannockburn 2022

Felton Road Pinot Noir Cornish Point 2022

Felton Road Pinot Noir MacMuir 2022

Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 3 2022

BLANC DE BLANCS LUNCH SATURDAY

Billecart-Salmon Le Blanc de Blancs NV

Larmandier-Bernier Longitude 1er Cru NV

André Clouet Chalky Blanc de Blancs NV

Felton Road Chardonnay Bannockburn 2013

BILLECART-SALMON PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE MASTERCLASS

Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs 2013

Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs 2009

Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François Brut 2012

Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François Brut 2008 en Magnum

Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Brut Rosé 2009 en Magnum

Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Brut Rosé 2008

Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire 2006

GALA DINNER SATURDAY

Billecart-Salmon Vintage 2013

Jacquesson Cuvée No 749 Extra-Brut NV

Felton Road Riesling Block 1 2006

Egly-Ouriet Rosé Grand Cru Brut NV

Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Brut NV

Egly-Ouriet Extra Brut V.P Grand Cru NV

Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 3 2019

Felton Road Riesling Bannockburn 2020

Blanket Bay has four rooms and 12 suites. Choose from the relaxed and intimate rooms of the Main Lodge, the space and privacy of the Chalets or the unparalleled luxury of the Blanket Bay Villa.

See images and full descriptions of accommodation options here.

The Main Lodge

Built in the grand style of the finest alpine lodges and finished with native New Zealand timber and stone, you’ll find cosy corners by stone fireplaces and amazing views.

Choose from naturally inspired rooms or larger suites finished in polished wood and fine fabrics, all offering sweeping views across Lake Wakatipu towards the Greenstone Valley and surrounding peaks.

Lodge Room

Experience a traditional New Zealand alpine lodge stay in comfort and style. Our 400 sq. ft. lodge rooms offer comfort and luxury overlooking Lake Wakatipu and Humbolt mountains. Enjoy the privacy of your own room or explore what the lodge has to offer. You’ll find cosy corners by stone fireplaces and amazing views from your private balcony.

Lodge Suite

Relax and unwind in our generous 700 sq. ft. lodge suites that offer comfort, space and luxury, set against a beautiful backdrop of Lake Wakatipu and the Humbolt mountains. Enjoy the privacy of your own room before exploring what the lodge has to offer. You’ll find cosy corners by stone fireplaces and amazing views.

Premium Lodge Suite

Enjoy the space and privacy of our new 750 sq. ft. suite with large king bedroom including master ensuite with separate steam shower and bathtub. Relax by the grand stone fireplace and unwind in the spacious living room with balcony overlooking the stunning Southern Alps.

The Chalets

For those seeking a little more privacy and space, our chalets have all the ingredients for a romantic retreat. Just a short walk from the main lodge and amenities, the Blanket Bay Chalets offer privacy and space in an idyllic setting. Featuring open stone fireplaces, reclaimed timber and spectacular views, the chalets blend colonial New Zealand architecture with modern lodge comforts.

Chalet Suite

Chalet Suites include an additional spacious living room and each have their own open stone fireplace, as well as spectacular views.

The Villa

Positioned above the Lodge and Chalets, the Villa reveals spectacular views across Lake Wakatipu to the Humboldt and Thomson mountain ranges. Four king suites comprising bedroom, bathroom and sitting area feature individual fireplaces with shared spaces centred around the grand lounge, bar and commercial kitchen, outdoor lounge areas with fire pit and hot tubs.

King Suite

The Villa’s 4 King Suites and 1000 m2 floor area is designed to optimise both morning and afternoon sun, with private terraces and dining options to choose from. Personal helpers are accommodated in the security suite, ensuring seamless service for Villa guests.

This intimate weekend is reserved exclusively for no more than 30 guests.

Prices are twin share for two nights at Blanket Bay, including all meals, wines, and signature experiences.

Lodge Room Twin Share – two nights – three available – NZD$9,220

Lodge Suite or Chalet Suite Twin Share – two nights – seven available – NZD$11,320

Lodge Room single occupancy – two nights – NZD$6,860

Premium Lodge Suite single occupancy – two nights – one available – NZD$8,770

Lodge Suite Villa package (2 rooms) for two couples – two nights – two available – NZD$25,240

For bookings, please contact the Blanket Bay Reservation Manager on +64 3 441 0115 or information@blanketbay.com.

Optional activities are available at additional cost.

Extended stays available on enquiry.

Payment Terms

Room preference will be noted on booking. Credit card information will be requested, but no payment will be processed until 23 April 2027, at which time a non-refundable one-night deposit will be charged. Full payment is required by 23 June 2027, and full cancellation and amendment policy applies henceforth.