Hawke’s Bay
Hawke's Bay is the oldest wine region in New Zealand and the second-largest in terms of production, just behind Marlborough. It is located on the east coast of the North Island, approximately a five-hour drive from Auckland. The region is known for its sunny and warm climate, and the city of Napier has even been called the "Nice of the Pacific" (referring to Nice, France) because of its pleasant climate. Nowadays, Napier is especially famous for its 1930s Art Deco architecture, making its city centre charming and rich in historical buildings. Napier and its neighbouring city Hastings form an urban area with about 120,000 inhabitants, surrounded by apple orchards and vineyards.
Hawke's Bay produces a wide variety of wines, and unlike Marlborough, it is not strongly associated with a single wine style like Sauvignon Blanc. Due to relatively warm summers, the region can produce richer Bordeaux blends compared to other areas in New Zealand. However, the diverse microclimates also allow for the production of refreshing white wines. Hawke's Bay is well-known for producing excellent Chardonnay, often offered at reasonable prices. You can find top-quality wines in Hawke's Bay at relatively affordable prices compared to other parts of the country, ensuring there's something delightful for every wine enthusiast to taste.
This guide is divided into sub-regions of Hawke’s Bay which allows you to plan your winery visits with ease. Wineries running a restaurant/offering hot food has been marked with the ”Eat” category to make your p
Eskdale and Ahuriri
Eskdale is located north from Napier and Ahuriri is 20 minute walk from Napier CBD on the northen side of Napier Hill. The wineries are not the most well known in this sub-region, but you can make some excellent finds and stay out from the crowds rushing to the bigger wineries during the summer time.
The Urban Winery
@mikaelnyberg
A cool urban winery in the heart of Ahuriri and within a walking distance from Napier CBD. They specialise in Chardonnay, but in case Chardy is not your thing, choose a tasting made of NZ and international wines. Excellent platters and small plates and during the weekend occasional live music. Themed tastings approx. once a month with reasonable price tag.
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Taradale
Taradale is a suburb of Napier and within an easy cycling distance from Napier CBD. There are two big (and famous) wineries in the area and both well worth a visit.
Brookfields Vineyards
@mikaelnyberg
Hawke’s Bay’s hidden gem with top quality wines and superb lunch restaurant. Classic style reds, sun-dried malbec is exceptional and worth a sip.
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Church Road Winery
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Great ambience combined with excellent restaurant onsite. One of the higher-end wineries in Hawke’s Bay and despite being big and commercial manages to deliver superb service and top quality wines. 30 minute cycle from Napier CBD and worth a visit. Try the ”1” tasting and the sparkling wine, you won’t get dissappointed!
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Mission Estate Winery
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The oldest winery in New Zealand and worth visiting because of the history, the amazing venue and stunning views. Wines are ok and the restaurant even better. Right next to Church Road so it’s easy to do both wineries in one visit.
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Havelock North
Havelock North (or just ”Village” as the locals call it), is the smaller of the urban centres of Hastings. There are several wineries in the region from small to huge and most of them are within an easy cycle from Hastings, central Havelock or Clive. There are bike rental companies in the area where you can hire a bike and avoid drinking while driving.
Craggy Range
@mikaelnyberg
Super high-end and one of the most famous wineries in the region comes with a price tag but is worth every penny. The tasting experience is professionally handled and the wines are some of the best ones in the region (and NZ). Their dry riesling from Martinborough is delicious and so are the red blends. One of the few wineries with a restaurant open for dinner. Pricey food with wine pairings but worth the splurge.
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Askerne Estate Winery
@mikaelnyberg
Cute, family-owned single vineyard estate with a fun picnic concept. Cellar door is open practically every day, so easy to visit even during the low-season. A massive wine list that offers something for everyone, the Chardonnays are especially tasty and the Viognier worth trying, too. If you love dessert wines, this is your place to go to; there are more than five dessert wines produced here! Inexpensive and authentic family-run place with interesting wines.
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Te Mata Estate Winery
@mikaelnyberg
One of the oldest wineries in Hawke’s Bay. French-style wines with a very traditional cellar door. The wines available for tasting change every now and then, but you can book in advance if you want to concentrate on the top tier wines. As said, traditional cellar door with no food on offer, so don’t come here hungry.
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Gimblett Gravels
Gimblett Gravels is the best-known sub-region of Hawke’s Bay that produces world-class Syrah and Bordeaux blends. Many Hawke’s Bay wineries operate a vineyard in the area and you will see them regularily in almost all cellar doors in the region. Some wines might a bit overprices, but the most are excellent and worth cellaring a few years before opening the bottle.
Trinity Hill Wines
@mikaelnyberg
Located in the world-famous sub-region of Gimblett Gravels, there is a lot of Syrah to try here. There are several wine flights (self-guided tastings) to choose from, and it’s a nice idea to maybe choose two different flights to taste more wines at once. Syrah tasting is worth a go if you want to compare different vineyards and the styles they produce.
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Bridge Pa
Bridge Pa is the little brother of Gimblett Gravels located right next to the more famous sub-region. Several interesting cellar doors and fairly prices wines that are no second to the ones from Gimblett Gravels.
Alpha Domus Winery
@mikaelnyberg
Family-owned estate with a cute cellar door located in the winery. Top-quality Chardonnays and one of the best sparkling wines produced in the region. Wines are reasonably priced and I would consider the place as one of the hidden gems of Hawke’s Bay and Bridge Pa.
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Ash Ridge Winery
@mikaelnyberg
Another family-owned winery in Bridge Pa with a cosy cellar door. Wines are good and the food on offer is yummy. One of the few wineries in Bridge Pa with food, so good spot for a lunch break when getting around the hoods.
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Te Awanga and Haumoana
Haumoana and Te Awanga are located by the ocean and the views in the area can make you speechless. The wines produced here have tasty minerality you can escape the the crowds as this sub-region is quite a long drive from Napier. The freedom camping area is one the best (and less-crowded) in Hawke’s Bay and good spot to spend the night if you are driving a campervan.
Elephant Hill
@mikaelnyberg
One of my all time favourites in Hawke’s Bay. The views to the Pacific are stunning and the wine list is impressive. Interesting Viognier and excellent Syrah’s on offer. One of the few cellar doors that offer several vintage to try in a tasting. No restaurant at the moment, but you can get small picnic bites while tasting wines.
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Clearview Estate Winery & Restaurant
@mikaelnyberg
Long drive from Napier, but if you like Chardonnay, this place is a must. You can choose between a wine flight or a guides tasting and there are several options for both. Cosy place with a popular restaurant onsite; make sure to book in advance to secure a table!
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Getting around
The wineries in the region are somewhat scattered and public transportation is non-existent, so driving, cycling or joining a wine tour is the easiest way to get around the wineries.
Velocity E-Bike Hire
@mikaelnyberg
E-bike hires for touring the wineries in the area.
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Vines and Views Tours
@mikaelnyberg
If you don’t feel like driving, Vines and Views is a good and trustable tour operator. Group tours with reasonable pricing.
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Winery Tours Hawke's Bay
@mikaelnyberg
Excellent private tours if you want to be in your own company and want to have a custom made experience.
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