If you like the movie, you will love the nation and its wines. Travel to the very heart of Hobbiton itself and tread the same ground as the cinematic hobbits. Hobbiton is a meandering three-hour drive southeast from Auckland on the Pacific Coast Highway to the Coromandel Peninsula. The Baggins' hobbit home of Bag End was built and filmed in the farming center Matamata though a search for elves shouldn't preclude a trip to Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own hot tub in the sand. One hour to the west, explore WaitomoCaves with star-like glow-worms.

Head south to central North Island, pass the scenic 235 square mile volcanicLake Taupo, to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tongariro National Park and its three mostly inactive volcanoes. Mt. Ruapehu, Mt. Tongariro and Mt. Ngauruhoe provided the backdrop to the scenes of Mount Doom, Mordor and the haunted plains of Gorgoroth. Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand's best one-day hike, weaves through volcanic rock, craters and sulphurous crevices all in the shadows of volcanic peaks. Beware of Black Riders on your trail.

Wellington, home to Kiwi director Peter Jackson and the force behind "The Lord of the Rings," trilogy is also the pulse of New Zealand's artist community and the ideal site for on- and off-screen adventures. In fact, the tale's Outer Shire, Weathertop Hill, Bree-land and Helm's Deep were all shot in Wellington. After hours hobbit haunts included dining at the chic White House or the local hangout Green Parrot, while hobbits, elves and dwarfs alike frequented watering holes Molly Malone's, The Matterhorn and Bojanlges. Among the regulars were Elijah Wood, Liv Tyler, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett and Viggo Mortensen.

Across the Cook Strait, Picton and the South Island are a three-hour ferry ride.
This is where the wine magic happens. Marlbourough is the region and Allan Scott is, no doubt, the "Marlborough Man", or should that be "Lord of the Drinks". Below is a quick review.

Allan Scott Wines and Estates, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2001
Price: $12
Rating: 90
Earthy, grapefruit, gooseberry, and a nutty hint are in the aroma, while a soft, crisp entry of, grapefruit, stone fruit/white fruit notes are within the sip. A little capsicum hint is in finish. "We prefer to make the more fruity style rather than a vegetal/green style," says Scott,

Allan Scott Wines and Estates, Chardonnay, Marlborough 2000
Price: $14
Rating: 91
There is hazelnut butter in the nose, plus almond and pear. A sip offers more pear, stone fruit, hazelnut butter, and roasted nuts in the long finish.

Allan Scott Wines and Estates, "Prestige" Chardonnay, Marlborough, 1999
Price: $28
Rating: 91
"This will someday soon be vineyard designate," boasts Scott. Flavors of nougat with delicate spice of cinnamon, nutmeg, plus elegant white fruit flavors entwined with lemon/citrus, then complex black walnut/oak on the finish.

Allan Scott Wines and Estates, Riesling, Marlborough 2001
Price: $11
Rating: 90
There is an aroma of orange zest, Jamaican all spice, and green apple taffy.
There are flavors of tart green apple, candied orange, cashew, and lime nectar.