Travel along the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, which stretches more than 380km from Hawkes Bay through to Wairarapa, Wellington and over Cook Strait to Marlborough in the South Island. These regions are the premier wine growing areas of New Zealand, many renowned internationally for the quality and distinctiveness of their award winning wines. New Zealand is a new world wine growing country and as such has applied a fresh approach and ingenuity into producing the unique tastes on offer. Visit www.classicwinetrail.co.nz for ideas.
Hawkes Bay is a renowned food and wine region with over 70 vineyards. Its also New Zealand’s oldest wine region and you can travel via the most northern entry point to the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Hawkes Bay offers many food and wine trails and weekend farmers markets allow you to meet and buy from the grower directly:
Hawkes Bay Farmers Market, Hastings - discover Hawkes Bays finest producers and artisans supplying their wares in the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional farmers’ market. Start the day with breakfast. Meet the growers and producers, talk with them about their products. Imagine a place where you can buy food in the old-fashioned way. Meet the grower, producer or maker, and talk with them about their products.
The Urban Market, Napier
A traditional market, where you can buy produce direct from the source. See, touch, smell and often taste the goods.
You’ll be able to sample the exceptional wines of Hawkes Bay and visit the cellar doors to find and taste what makes the region’s wines so sought after. Hawkes Bay is New Zealand’s premium red wine producing region and the second largest wine region in the country:
Esk Valley, Napier
One of Hawkes Bays finest boutique wineries. Recognised for its unique, hand-crafted wine styles, it is one of the few wineries that still hand-plunge red wines in the traditional manner to create a softer and more elegant style.
The winery, cellar shop and famed terraced vineyard are nestled in a small picturesque valley in Hawkes Bay, one of New Zealand's premium wine regions. This sunny, sheltered valley overlooks the South Pacific Ocean and provides the perfect microclimate for ripening grapes.
Clearview Estate, Te Awanga
Is famous for its chardonnay, Bordeaux style reds and restaurant in the red shed. The restaurant sits among the vines in a well-established coastal setting near Cape Kidnappers. Specialising in brunches, lunches, weddings and functions, the comprehensive seasonal menu features inspired and creative dishes using Hawkes Bay Wine Country produce.
Mission Estate, Taradale
Established in 1851 by the French Marist religious order, Mission Estate Winery is New Zealand's oldest winery, and is internationally regarded as a producer of superb quality wines. The stunningly refurbished seminary building nestled in the Taradale Hills overlooking Napier is also home to the cellar door and the celebrated Mission Restaurant. The Mission Estate cellar door is one of the most visited in New Zealand. The cellar has gone through a number of challenges including relocating, fires, earthquakes, expansion and more recently the completion of the spectacular underground cellar. Join us in an historic tour and taste an extensive range of award-winning wines
The Bay of Plenty region was named for its plentiful 'fruit bowl' properties and its fertile soils and warm climate are ideal for growing just about any type of produce, especially the iconic kiwifruit.
Although the region is renowned for growing kiwifruit, other produce such as avocados, grapes, citrus and subtropical fruits are also plentiful. With so much fresh produce in our backyard, it’s easy to enjoy locally grown fruits and vegetables. Restaurants and cafes make good use of locally-grown foods in creative ways. If you’re looking for a nice place to enjoy a hot drink or a meal, the Bay of Plenty region offers a number of restaurants and cafés located in scenic spots. Or enjoy a nice meal or drink in one of the region’s award-winning wineries.
