Vineyards and Wineries in Hawke’s Bay
Welcome to New Zealand’s oldest wine-growing region. Located in a sunny climate with cold crisp nights, Hawke’s Bay is the leading producer of red wines and an absolute must-stop for foodies travelling the North Island of New Zealand. The region has around a whopping 72 wineries, making it the second-largest wine region in the country, but to make your winery-hopping a little easier, we’ve narrowed it down to our favourite 10 wineries in Hawke’s Bay.
So jump on a wine tour, hire some bikes or simply pop into one of the Hawke’s Bay wineries for lunch and get a real taste for what New Zealand wine is all about.
While you’re in the region, don’t forget to take a look at Top 10 Natural Attractions in Hawke’s Bay, as well as 15 Super Fun Things to Do in Napier.
1. Mission Estate Winery
Soak up the ambience and history of the Mission Estate Winery, the birthplace of New Zealand wine. The cellar door is open seven days a week for fine dining, wine tastings or just to open its gates to the lush gardens and vineyards. Combine your visit with a look around the Otarata Pa – find out more in our 5 Napier Must-Dos.
Location: 198 Church Road, Taradale
© itravelNZ on Flickr2. Trinity Hill
Find this gem in the Gimblett Gravels growing region of Hawke’s Bay, surrounded by an abundance of fruit orchards. The Trinity Hill cellar door is open seven days a week throughout summer for red and white wine tastings in their contemporary winery.
Location: 2396 State Highway 50, Road 5, Hastings
© Pexels3. Craggy Range
Combine award-winning wines with breathtaking views of Te Mata Peak at the Craggy Range winery. Relax with a drink in hand at this winery, which also offers accommodation and a restaurant. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the drive/hike up Te Mata Peak – more information at 10 Wonderful Walks in Hawke’s Bay.
Location: 253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North
© Phillip Capper on Wikipedia4. Te Awanga Estate
Another winery with sensational views and the wine to match is the Te Awanga Estate. Set on the foothills of the Te Awanga mountains, this winery is open for wine tastings, all-day dining and live music on a Sunday. Sip on award-winning red wine and enjoy the expansive views of the Pacific Ocean.
Location: 376 Parkhill Road, Te Awanga
© Citikiwi on Wikipedia5. Esk Valley Estate
One of the most popular wineries to “escape” to is the Esk Valley Estate in Bay View. It’s worth stopping by on your way in or out of Napier for a taste of their rare red wine, Heipipi The Terraces, as well as to soak in the ocean views. The boutique winery is open seven days a week.
Location: Main Road, Bay View, Napier
© Pexels6. Oak Estate Cellar Door & Kitchen
Hire a bike and cycle to this boutique winery on the Bridge Pa Triangle along Ngatarawa Road. The Oak Estate Cellar Door has a casual atmosphere that you can enjoy in your cycle gear for wine tasting and sampling artisan food among the vines.
Location: 403 Ngatarawa Road, Road 5, Hastings
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Church Road
Get the complete experience at the Church Road winery. This historic winery has been making wine in Hawke’s Bay for more than 180 years, offering wine tours to show you historical wine cellars and a mini-museum located in the winery’s old vats. Compliment your wine tour with cellar door wine tastings, food pairings or simply for lunch. Church Road is open seven days a week.
Location: 150 Church Road, Taradale
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Unison Vineyard
Pop in for lunch at the Unison Vineyard’s The Good Table restaurant serving up cuisine made with local ingredients along with a glass of handcrafted wine. You won’t find another winery like it in Hawke’s Bay, set in a Mediterranean-style villa.
Location: 2163 State Highway 60, Hastings
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Vidal Estate
Sure, the wines at the Vidal Estate are fabulous, but it’s the fine food that we get most excited about. Vidal Estate’s claim to fame is that it was New Zealand’s first winery restaurant, which to this day, still serves up divine cuisine with fresh seasonal local produce. The Vidal Estate is also open for casual wine tastings seven days a week.
Location: 913 St Aubyn Street East, Hastings
© Pexels10. Te Awa Winery
Winter or summer, the Te Awa Winery is well worth the visit. Sit by the roaring fire with the extra warmth of a well-rounded wine or out in the gardens for some fresh Hawke’s Bay air. What’s more, Te Awa Winery is not too far from any of the main hubs of Hawke’s Bay – Napier, Hastings and Havelock North, in the Gimblett Gravels growing region. The restaurant and cellar door is open seven days a week.
Location: 2375 State Highway 50, Hastings
© PexelsSources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2024])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
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