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.
Table of Contents
1. Mission Estate Winery
Soak up the ambience and history of Mission Estate Winery, the birthplace of New Zealand wine. The cellar door is housed in the beautifully restored Grande Maison, a former seminary building set in the Taradale hills with sweeping views across the vineyards and coast.
Choose from hosted tastings of six seasonally selected wines from the “Premium Hosted Tasting”, or go for the “Platinum Hosted Tasting” featuring wines from the Huchet range and limited-edition releases.
“Self-Guided Tastings” of four wines are also available, or you’re welcome to simply wander the grounds and visit the cellar display.
Combine your visit with a look around Otarata Pa – find out more in our 5 Napier Must-Dos.
Location: 198 Church Road, Taradale
© Ian Cooper - Hawke's Bay Tourism2. Trinity Hill
Find this gem in the heart of the Gimblett Gravels wine region of Hawke’s Bay. The Trinity Hill cellar door sits in an impressive space with five-metre-high ceilings (formerly a barrel hall), offering views of the Chardonnay barrel hall and expansive lawn.
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, the cellar door offers various tasting experiences to suit different preferences.
You can choose from guided tasting flights, or simply enjoy wine by the glass or bottle in a more relaxed setting. Their team will help you decide which option works best for your group.
Pair your tasting with platters available throughout the week.
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. This family-owned estate operates two state-of-the-art wineries: Gimblett Gravels Winery and Giants Estate Winery, each designed to craft premium wines from select vineyard parcels in Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough.
Choose from several wine experiences, including the “Craggy Range Wine Experience” (five current release estate wines plus a prestige wine) or the immersive “Giants Estate Experience” (a two-hour journey through the winery’s iconic wines, facilities and underground cellar with light bites from the organic kitchen gardens).
For the ultimate indulgence, the “Giants Gourmet Experience” combines a tour and tasting with the restaurant’s Signature Table menu.
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
© Hawke’s Bay Tourism4. Elephant Hill Winery
Stylish and warm, Elephant Hill is a wonderful place to relax with fine wines whilst taking in expansive views over the vineyard and Pacific Ocean.
The winery offers both self-guided and guided tasting experiences at the Cellar Door. If you prefer to explore at your own pace (great for groups), choose from their “Le Phant”, “Estate” and “Reserve” ranges.
Wine enthusiasts keen to learn more about the full collection should opt for the guided tasting, which includes some of their most special selections.
The restaurant has recently earned One Cuisine Hat under award-winning Chef Conor Mertens. Dishes are presented with Japanese-inspired simplicity, designed to complement the wines and honour the whenua (land).
The Cellar Door and restaurant operate Friday to Sunday during winter months.
Location: 86 Clifton Road, Te Awanga.
© Hawke’s Bay Tourism5. Black Barn Vineyards
If you’re after a winery that delivers more than just wine, Black Barn Vineyards is the one.
Situated on the sunny north-facing slopes of the Havelock Hills, this boutique vineyard offers award-winning wines (many exclusive to the cellar door), an acclaimed Bistro showcasing the region’s finest produce, and a 2,000-seat Amphitheatre hosting summer concerts.
Whether you’re cycling through for a tasting, dining at the Bistro or planning a longer stay in one of their 16 luxury accommodation retreats, there’s plenty to keep you busy for an hour, a day or even a week.
The venue also caters to weddings and functions with spectacular event spaces.
Location: 34 Black Barn Road, Havelock North.
© Hawke’s Bay Tourism6. Oak Estate Cellar Door & Kitchen
Hire a bike and cycle to this boutique winery on the Bridge Pa Triangle along Ngatarawa Road. Oak Estate Cellar Door has a casual atmosphere where you can enjoy wine tasting among the vines.
The cellar door offers both standard and premium wine tastings.
Their kitchen serves locally sourced cuisine, and they can host larger dinner parties and canapé functions on request.
Final tastings wrap up at 4 pm, so plan your visit accordingly.
Location: 403 Ngatarawa Road, Road 5, Hastings
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Church Road Wines
Get the complete experience at 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.
Complement your wine tour with cellar door wine tastings, including the “Icon Tasting” (a 45 to 60-minute experience featuring the current release TOM range alongside cellar-aged selections) or the immersive “TOM Experience” (a 90-minute guided tasting within the atmospheric underground museum).
For lunch, head to Orton’s at Church Road, where locally sourced dishes are expertly paired with Church Road wines.
Location: 150 Church Road, Taradale
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Unison Vineyard
Visit Unison Vineyard to experience handcrafted wines from one of the pioneering estates in Hawke’s Bay’s renowned Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District.
The founders, having worked in Tuscany, sought out the region’s distinctive free-draining gravel soils to create their super-premium red wines.
Stop by the cellar door to sample wines in a relaxed Mediterranean-style setting, surrounded by olive trees and vines. The friendly staff make the experience genuinely welcoming and informal.
If you’re visiting on a Sunday, grab brunch or enjoy Tom Tom Tapas, which serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes using fresh local ingredients.
Tours and group bookings of eight or more are available by appointment.
Location: 2163 State Highway 60, Hastings
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Vidal Estate
Sure, the wines at 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.
Established in 1905, the winery has been crafting elegant, concentrated wines with true regional expression for over a century.
You’ll find exceptional Hawke’s Bay varieties including Reserve Pinot Gris, Reserve Chardonnay, Reserve Rosé, Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Syrah.
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, 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.
Located in the renowned Gimblett Gravels wine region, the estate is celebrated for elegant, food-friendly wines that showcase the unique character of the area’s stony soils.
The winery specialises in chardonnay, syrah and Bordeaux-style reds, alongside a range of approachable white wines.
During guided tastings in the contemporary cellar door, knowledgeable staff share insights into the vineyards and the influence of the Gimblett Gravels terroir on each wine. The restaurant and cellar door is open seven days a week.
Location: 2375 State Highway 50, Hastings
© PexelsMore About Hawke’s Bay
That’s it for our guide to the best wineries in Hawke’s Bay; for more information about exploring this beautiful region, check out the following articles:
- 10 Walks in Northern Hawke’s Bay You Can’t Miss
- 10 Free or Cheap Things to Do in Napier
- 10 Awesome Things to Do in Hastings
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our Comprehensive Hawke’s Bay Guides.
Sources:
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 [2025])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
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