Wine Trails in Auckland Region
Auckland offers some of the country's best vineyards to explore, whether you want to stock up on world-class wines, relax over a gourmet meal or just enjoy a picnic lunch among the vines.
West Auckland
With its picturesque wineries and vineyard restaurants, this area has been one of New Zealand's key wine-producing areas since the early 20th century, when Croatian, English and Lebanese winemakers planted their first vines. Around Henderson, the flourishing Croatian community has given rise to many boutique wineries - some ranked among the country's best. The oldest, Pleasant Valley (Henderson Valley Road), was established in 1902, and other well known labels include Babich (Babich Road, Henderson), Nobilo (Station Road, Huapai), Artisan Wines (Oratia Valley) and Lincoln Wines (Lincoln Road, Henderson).
North-West
Heading north-west of Henderson is one of Auckland's most scenic grape-growing regions around the rural towns of
Kumeu and Huapai, and the Waimauku Valley. Winemaking began here more than 50 years ago. Set in the middle of Auckland's main orchard area, there is plenty of opportunity to combine wine tasting with fruit picking or a summer picnic. Coopers Creek (SH16, Huapai), Kumeu River (SH16, Kumeu), Soljans (SH16, Kumeu), Matua Valley (Waikoukou Valley Road, Waimauku) and Selaks (part of the Nobilo Group, Station Road, Huapai) all offer tastings, and some have vineyard restaurants. Next door to Matua Valley, you can enjoy fine dining at the Hunting Lodge, an historic villa overlooking the vines.
North Auckland - Matakana
North of Auckland lies the flourishing wine region of
Matakana and nearby
Warkworth. On the main road just before the town, Ascension Vineyard offers tasting trays and al fresco dining, while nearby Heron's Flight (Sharp Road) specialises in Italian-style wines and its cafe overlooks the lovely gardens. Other vineyards offering tastings and sales include Hyperion (Tongue Farm Road), Omaha Bay (Takatu Road), Brick Bay (Arabella Lane, off Mahurangi East Road) and Mahurangi River (Hamilton Road, Warkworth).
South Auckland - Clevedon Valley
South of Mangere Mountain on Montgomerie Road is one of the country's largest and most successful wineries - Villa Maria. It offers daily tours and tastings and the vineyard park makes a pleasant spot for a picnic. Further south, in the rolling hills of Clevedon Valley, there are a couple more wineries to explore - Vin Alto, which specialises in Italian-style wines, and Twilight Road (105 Twilight Road,
Clevedon).
Waiheke Island
Just a short ferry ride from
Auckland city, this beautiful Hauraki Gulf Island has a plethora of boutique vineyards offering tours, tastings, restaurants and accommodation. Award-winning wineries include Goldwaters (The Causeway, Ostend), Mudbrick (Church Bay Road, Matiatia), Stonyridge (Onetangi Road) - famous for its reds, Te Motu (Onetangi Road), Passage Rock (Orapui Road), and Te Whau (Te Whau Point, Rocky Bay), renowned for its wine list and superb cuisine. The recently opened Cable Bay winery (Nick Johnstone Drive, Matiatia) has also made a splash with its fine dining restaurant.
Fullers Cruises operate a vineyard tour which takes in a selection of the island's wineries, and gives visitors the chance to sample the delicious local drops and cuisine.
Auckland Wine Tours