Auckland has 3 distinct wine regions. Kumeu in West Auckland, Waiheke Island, and Matakana to the North of Auckland. Plus the lesser known but growing region in Clevedon, and the magnificent Villa maria in Mangere. All of them are in easy reach for a day trip, so let’s find a sober driver or book a tour and go wine tasting.
Waiheke Island is one of New Zealand’s best known wine regions, famous for its Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. It’s traditionally been known for it’s excellent red wine but growers are now producing some excellent white wine too with the most common white wine varieties now grown on Waiheke being Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gri.
While Waiheke wins have won awards all over the world in blind tastings, the scenery has to be part of the arraction. Waiheke is a simply stunning island and many of the wineries offer fabulous views of the Hauraki Gulf and surrounding island. This make wine tasting on Waiheke a hugely popular summer activity in Auckland. Should you want to do more than a day trip, here’s a few Waiheke Hotels.
A must visit winery for any fan of Syrah. Awaroa is a highly awarded but tiny winery and vineyard with a great tasting room open most days in summer. Check website for details.
Producing Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Flora, and Sparkling wine Batch Vineyard is open for wine tastings most days in summer.
Producing Pinot Gris, Viognier, Marsanne, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot and Malbec varieties. Cable Bay is one of Waiheke’s larger vineyards with an excellent restaurant in addition to the wine tasting.
Producing Pinot Gris, Viognier, Albarino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Syrah varieties. Miro vineyard is famous for it’s blended Rosé.
Producing Some of the worlds best Cabernet blends Destiny Bay isn’t open to the public for wine tasting, but if you a tremendously wealthy then get in touch as they will give you a tour. .
Waiheke’s oldest vineyard. Goldie Estate is open for wine tasting Saturday and Sunday. Producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Chardonnay and Viognier varieties.
Growing Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Montepulciano, and Pinot Gris Jurassic Ridge is all about quality, sustainability and only releasing the wine when it’s ready to drink. They also do not use any animal products in their wines so Vegans can drink the wine instead of whining about it.
Kennedy Point is an organic vineyard producing Bordeaux and Syrah varieties. They also offer long lunches, tours and accommodation. In addition wine Kennedy Point produce olive oil and honey.
New Zealand’s only beachfront cellar door wine tasting experience. But don’t be fooled Man O’War don’t need a beach to bring in the visitors. This isn’t just some of Waihekes best wine, its some of the best wine anywhere. With 75 vineyards, covering a 150 acres of this huge 4,500 acre property Man O’war are steadily gaining a reputation for producing truly great wine. Don’t miss their Dreadnought Syrah.
Recommended : Take a seaplane to Man O’War for lunch and wine tasting. This is an unforgettable experience.
West Auckland has a strong population of Croatian immigrants. They are largely responsible for discovering the regions excellent potential as a wine growing region. While the region is most known for its fabulous Chardonnay, there are also Merlot, Pinotage and Pinot Gris varieties grown in significant volume. The region is home to the head offices of some of New Zealand’s largest wineries. Because it is only 20 minutes from the CBD it’s a popular place for a days wine tasting.
Visit the famous Babich wines tasting room at their West Auckland Headquarters. Babich wines was started in 1916 making iit one of Auckland’s oldest vineyards. Babich has grown to become one of New Zealand’s largest wineries and now has significant vineyards all over New Zealand. So you can taste wines from around the country as well as those from the home vineyard in Kumeu.
Coopers Creek started as a 10 acre block in Kumeu in the 1980s and has grown to become large winery producing a wide variety of wines using fruit from around New Zealand. The winery is open for tasting on Sundays from 10;30 am to 5:30 pm, during the summer they have a hugely popular summer Jazz program with bands playing from 1pm to 4pm.
Soljans Estate is another of West Auckland’s oldest vineyards dating back to 1937. Another Croatian family business that has grown to be a leader in the industry in NZ. The cellar door is open 9am to 5pm everyday. There’s also an excellent cafe. Soljans have vineyards all over New Zealand so you can taste wines from all over the country.
Matakana is a great spot to go wine tasting. Whether you go on a tour or grab a sober driver and some friends and follow this great wine trail map courtesy of the Matakana Winegrowers Association. matakana is one of the most diverse plantings in the country with significant plantings of 28 varieties. Matakana traditionally grew Bordeaux varietals, and a bit of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. However there’s now a real mix of French and Italian varieties including Sangiovese, and Dolcetto. If you’ve had to much to make it home then stay the weekend at Tahi Lodge Matakana Coast or Kourawhero Mountain Lodge.
With a popular restaurant and sculpture trail as well as tasting rooms Brick Bay is a popular winery for a day trip. Located about an hours drive from Auckland CBD.
Matakana Estate offers both a excellent winery, with wine tasting and luxury accommodation. The wine grown on the estate in Matakana is Pinot Gris however the winery also makes other varieties using the grapes grown in Hawkes Bay and Marlborough as well.
Mahurangi River cellar door is now closed sadly however you can still buy their fantastic wine from their website.
Matavino grows some really unique traditional Italian varieties including Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, & Sangiovese as well as the more common varieties Chardonnay & Viognier. The cellar door is only open by appointment for groups of 6 or more.
Hyperion Winery in Matakana only produce wines made with grapes grown in the matakana region. The varieties grown at Hyperion are Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They also grow a new hybrid variety called Chambourcin. Hyperion also use Pinot Gris and Syrah grown at neighbouring vineyards.
Omaha Bay Vineyard is a must for any wine tour of Matakana. With stunning views, and excellent tasting room and an art gallery. They make a wide variety of wines with grapes from Matakana and other NZ wine regions but they are most famous for their gold medal winning Matakana Pinot Gris.
Gillman Vineyard grows 3 varieties, cabernet franc, merlot, and malbec. The wine they produce is high quality and small volume with most vintages fully sold. Visitation is by appointment.
Runner Duck Wines are available for tasting at Plume Restaurant. from 11am to 2pm Wednesday to Sunday (with hours extended till 3pm on Saturday and Sunday) And of course they are on the menu should you choose to dine at Plume.
Auckland has a few other wineries outside the wine regions above. Clevedon has an excellent foodie scene centred around their excellent farmers market and a growing number of vineyards.
If you’re only in Auckland for a short time and are looking to taste some of New Zealand’s best wines you are in luck. Villa Maria Wines Auckland Vineyard, Winery and Tasting room is located a short drive from Auckland Airport in Mangere.