11 Hawke's Bay Wineries You Must Visit!

Hawke’s Bay, on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, is actually New Zealand’s oldest wine region with a history beginning as early as 1851. The area has a temperate climate and being one of New Zealand’s warmest and driest regions, it is perfect for producing the award-winning wines it is famous for. Hawke’s Bay is known predominately for Bordeaux style reds, Chardonnay and the famed Gimblett Gravels.

The Gimblett Gravels is an area of approximately 800ha which is defined by its soil. The stones, gravels and coarse sands that were deposited by the ancient Ngaruroro River are perfect for wine growing as they drain freely and encourage the vines to develop long, healthy, root systems. Gimblett Gravels have proven to produce some of the world’s most excellent full-bodied red wines.

The Wineries

Hawke’s Bay produces greater than 85% of New Zealand’s red wines and over 30% of the countries chardonnay. There are about 72 wineries to explore and many options of “getting around” including bike trails, organised tours, or you can grab a map and do a self-drive tour… which is what we did, several times!

Wine Tasting and Etiquette

Although some tastings are free, most charge a fee to sample wines. Prices start at $5 but can go as high as $20. Obviously, the greater the cost, the better the quality and/or quantity of wine. Most wineries will refund the tasting fee if a purchase is made. It is always a good idea to ask in advance, so there is no confusion.

Not all cellar doors are open every day and the days, and times, of opening, vary according to the seasons. It’s a good idea to go online and check opening times when you plan your route. Below I have included each wineries website to make it easier to check the up-to-date information. If you are visiting the wineries in a group of more than four people, it is advisable to call ahead to confirm and let them know.

Driving while under the influence is illegal in New Zealand so always have a designated driver. All tasting rooms have spittoons to use, and it is acceptable to share tastings with a partner.

If you want to know the ins and outs of wine tasting etiquette have a look at this page by Hawke’s Bay Wine.

11 Hawke’s Bay Wineries Worth a Visit.

1. Moana Park Winery

Moana Park Winery was one of our favourite stops, not just because the winery is dedicated to low-allergen, natural winemaking, and the tasting is free, but because of the interesting wine tasting experience. It was a delightfully warm day, so we were invited to sit outside at a picnic table with several other people.

Trev, one of their dedicated staff members, then proceeded to give us tastings of delicious wine as he filled our heads with fascinating information. Information, not only about the winery and the immediate area but about Hawke’s Bay in general. He also spoke of the history of New Zealand and how it began its life underwater, as well as the 1931 earthquake and how this earthquake produced the land the winery now sits on.

As we sat listening to Trev, we also had the opportunity to participate in the conversation while we were tasting delicious wines, of which he explained in depth. After the tasting, which took about 1/2 hour, we sat chatting with an Australia couple who had joined us for the tasting as well as a lady visiting from Wellington. It was a lovely way to do a wine tasting.

Now about the wine! Moana Park Winery handcrafts low allergy wines (and they are vegan as well). In many of their wines, they do not use the preservative 220, which is found in most wines. However, some of their wines do need it. They hold some fabulous events and also have wedding and function facilities.

Cost: FREE TASTING. Wines range in price from $25 – $60
Opening Hours: Open 7 Day (Closed NZ Public Holidays) Summer hours 10:00 – 17:00 / Winter hours 12:00 – 16:00
Location: 530 Puketapu Road, Taradale
Phone: +64 6 844 8269
Email: Visit their contact page.
Website: http://moanapark.co.nz/

2. Church Road Winery

Church Road Winery has a long history starting from 1897 when the first vineyard was planted next to Church Road. The winery has an extensive range of wines and is one of Hawke’s Bay’s most awarded wineries, including winemaker of the year 2016 (Chris Scott). They have an exciting winery where you can enjoy the complete experience with cellar door wine tasting, daily winery tours and an a la carte restaurant open daily – summer 11:30 – 15:00 / Winter 11:30 – 14:30.

Cost: Tasting range from $5, $10 or $15 for three tastings of a particular menu, and included are also 3 complimentary tastings. The price of the tastings is waived or deducted from the price of wine purchase. Wines range in price from $20 – $200.
Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:30 – 16:30
Location: 150 Church Road, Taradale
Phone: +64 6 833 8234
Email: thecellardoor@churchroad.co.nz
Website: http://www.church-road.co.nz/

3. Mission Estate Winery

Mission Estate Winery, established in 1851 by pioneering French Missionaries, is New Zealand’s oldest winery and the birthplace of New Zealand wine. It is also one of the most visually beautiful wineries you can visit in Hawke’s Bay and a favourite place for weddings and the annual Mission Concert.

In 1838 a Marist Mission was established in the north of New Zealand by French Missionaries. Eventually, vines were planted to produce both sacramental and table wine. The first record of a commercial wine sale dates back to 1870.

Today Mission Estate has a well-respected reputation in the New Zealand market as a producer of consistent quality, value for money wines. They are also committed to sustainable winegrowing. We really enjoyed our visit here… so much so we returned several times!

Wine tasting at their cellar door is tasty, to say the least. Furthermore, it is also a step back in time as they encourage you to wander around the elegantly restored seminary building, view the photographs and images that document the extraordinary history of the Mission, and the missionaries who built it. The grounds and the vistas are also beautiful and worth taking the time out to enjoy.

Mission Estate Winery has a restaurant that serves lunch and dinner, as well as set menus. They can facilitate conferences and private function, and they hold the Annual Mission Concert.

Cost: $5 per person and receive a Mission Winery wine glass to take home. Wines range in price from $16 – $129
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00 / Sunday: 10:00 – 16:30
Location: 198 Church Road, Napier
Phone: +64 6 8459353
Email: Visit their contact page.
Website: http://www.missionestate.co.nz/

4. Unison Vineyard

Unison Vineyard is a family-run estate at the heart of the Gimblett Gravels wine growing district in Hawke’s Bay. The winery, established in 1993, produces a large variety of wines. At the cellar door, they offer wine and ginger beer tasting. We really enjoyed the Pinot Gris and the Unison Classic Blend red wine. Unison Vineyard also has a restaurant at which we ate lunch when we visited in 2017. Looking at their website, I see that the restaurant has changed to “The Good Food Table’ in October 2017. The menu changes frequently – here is the link to the current menu. The Restaurant open hours in winter are Fridays 11:00 till late / Saturday & Sunday 11:00 – 17:00 and summer open hours are Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00.

Cost: $7 per tasting, waived if you purchase a bottle of wine. Wines range from $22 to $70
Opening Hours: Summer – Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00
Location: 2163 Highway 50, Road 5, Hastings
Phone: +64 6 879-7913
Email: info@unisonvineyard.co.nz
Website: http://www.unisonvineyard.co.nz/

5. Stonecroft Winery

Stonecroft is a small, family-owned winery making organic Gimblett Gravels wines. Both the vineyards and winery are certified organic, and their production is minimal – around 3000 cases produced annually. We enjoyed our visit to this winery. We were greeted by Stanley, the chocolate labrador who features in the Wine Dog book! The wines were delicious, and we chose the Serine Syrah and the Zinfandel both for $29 each.

Cost: $5 each for tasting if no purchases are made. Wines range in price from $22 – $100
Opening Hours: Summer Hours Only (September to June) Friday to Sunday 11:00 – 16:00
Location: 121 Mere Road, Hastings
Phone: +64 6 879 9610
Email: wine@stonecroft.co.nz
Website: https://stonecroft.co.nz/wines/

6. Crossroads Wines

Crossroads was founded in 1987 and the first Crossroads wine released in 1990. Carefully selected parcels of land were developed for each variety to ensure the best from the grapes. We had a free tasting of some delicious wines, and we were also able to try the Harmony Tawny Port, which was very similar to delicious fortified wine, and our favourite. The cellar door shop also sells lots of local produce and souvenirs, such as Crossroads wine glasses. Their accolades include Best New Zealand Red Wine (International Wine Challenge, 2014) and NZ Wine Producer of the Year (International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2014.

Cost: FREE TASTING – Wines range in price from $18 – $60.
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 – until the end of April 2018
Location: 1747 Korokipo Road, Fernhill (Highway 50)
Phone: + 64 6 879 9737
Email: cellardoor@crossroadswines.co.nz
Website: http://www.crossroadswines.co.nz/

7. Elephant Hill

Elephant Hill wines are delicious, and it is a pleasure to taste these wines while informative staff tell you all there is to know about them. The handpicked grapes ensure that only the very best possible fruit is used to make their premium crafted wines. Elephant Hill has a strong belief in sustainability and the preservation of the land. All their vineyards are 100% accredited by Sustainable Winegrowers of New Zealand (SWNZ).

There is a restaurant which is open seven days a week.

Cost: $5 per person (with four Estate wines) or $10 per person (with 6 Estate and Reserve wines). Tasting fee is waived if you make a purchase or dine at the restaurant. Wines range in price from $22 – $120.
Opening Hours: Open 7 days (closed major NZ public holidays) Summer times – 11:00 – 17:00 / Winter times – Sunday to Friday 11:00 – 16:00 and Saturday 11:00 – 17:00
Location: 86 Clifton Rd , Te Awanga
Phone: + 64 6 872 6073
Email: cellardoor@elephanthill.co.nz
Website: http://www.crossroadswines.co.nz/

8. Beach House

Beach House Wines is a family-owned boutique winery located at Te Awanga close to the beach. The cellar door is made from ‘hay bales’ which keeps it cool in the Hawke’s Bay summer heat. They are famous for their barrel-fermented Chardonnays, but my favourite on the day we visited was the Beach House Riesling! It was just perfect for the lovely sunny day we had.

They have several vineyards including one in the famed Gimblett Gravels. The accolades their wines have received are far too numerous for me to include so I will mention just a couple. The 2017 Beach House Riesling won gold at the International Wine Show 2017 and 2016 Beach House Riesling at the International Wine Show 2016.

Cost: Wines range in price from $17 – $35.
Opening Hours: Open 11:00 – 17:00 every weekend from Labour weekend (the last weekend of October) through to Easter and open every day in January.
Location: 50 Clifton Road, Te Awanga
Phone: + 64 6 879 4127
Email: chris@beachhouse.co.nz
Website: https://www.beachhouse.co.nz/

9. Craggy Range

Craggy Range cellar door is located in a lovely area beneath Te Mata Peak. Not only is the setting beautiful, but this winery offers the full experience when it comes to wine and beautiful locations. Not only can you visit the cellar door to taste and purchase delicious wines, but you can also do a winery tour. Furthermore, they have beautiful accommodation set in lush grounds… so if you are enjoying it too much to drag yourself away, don’t bother just book yourself a room! Furthermore, they have a restaurant, plus wedding and function facilities.

The winery was recognised in 2014 by Wine Enthusiast as ‘New World Winery of the Year’ and this year it has been awarded the annual ‘Golden Grapes Award for 2017′ from Bob Campbell MW (Master of Wine).

Cost: $7.50 per person which is refunded if a purchase is made. Wines range in price from $28.95 – $135.
Opening Hours: Winter – Wednesday to Sunday 11:00 – 17:00 / Summer – open daily 10:00 – 18:00 (closed most NZ public holidays).
Location: 253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North
Phone:+64 6 873 0141
Email: cellardoor@craggyrange.com
Website: https://www.craggyrange.com/

10. Te Mata Estate

Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate remains family-owned and produces their wines exclusively from its Hawke’s Bay vineyards. Interestingly, this winemaking heritage site was the first in New Zealand to be protected under conservation law for its viticultural history and is celebrated today as the Te Mata Special Character Zone.

The day Dwayne and I visited the duty manager was Yullu Jin. If I remember correctly, Yullu is a winemaker, and she was an absolute font of information. We really enjoyed our tasting, particularly the Awatea 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cost: $5 per person. Price of tasting waived if a purchase is made. Wines range in price from $20 – $80.
Opening Hours: Summer – open daily Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 17:00, and Sunday 11:00 – 16:00 / Winter – Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 17:00
Location: 349 Te Mata Road, RD 12, Havelock North
Phone: + 64 6 877 4399
Email: cellardoor@temata.co.nz
Website: https://www.temata.co.nz/

11. Te Awa Single Estate Wines

Te Awa Winery, like many in the Hawke’s Bay area, has a delightful setting. The drive leading to the cellar door, and restaurant, is lined on both sides by grape vines and the establishment is elegant and appealing. The large cellar door tasting area has a good amount of wines to sample and purchase. The restaurant, open 7 days from 11:00 – 15:00, has a good selection, including platters and set menus. My friend Katrina and I enjoyed a tasting, and then a platter for lunch with a bottle of wine. We were delighted with our experience.

Cost: $5 tasting fee which is waived if you make a purchase. If you are dining there is no tasting fee. Wines range in price from $17 – $65.
Opening Hours: Open daily 10:00 – 16:00 (closed on NZ public holidays)
Location: 2375 State Highway 50 (road 5) Hastings
Phone: + 64 6 879 7602
Email: enquiries@teawa.com
Website: https://www.teawa.com/

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