The ten Greatest Wineries In Auckland (& 1 Brewery) To Go to!

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Good beer and wine is a given in New Zealand, one of many world’s high wine producers.

Being Australian, I admit to being a wine snob and considering that solely Australia can produce prime quality wines, however I used to be pleasantly proved fallacious on our journey to NZ.

New Zealand has 10 high-producing wine areas, with Auckland being one of many oldest wine areas within the nation.

When you’re trying to strive a few of New Zealand’s top of the range wines, then we advocate you go to a number of the high wineries in Auckland to be taught concerning the manufacturing and style of those world-famous wines.

The Greatest Wineries in Auckland

1. West Brook Vineyard, Auckland

• Hours: 11.00am – 5.00pm each day
• Tackle: 215 Ararimu Valley Highway, Waimauku R.D.2, Auckland
• Internet: www.westbrook.co.nz

Westbrook Vineyard is a boutique family-owned vineyard, established in 1935, who’ve gained a number of awards for his or her wines.

We met with Susan Ivicevich, the nice and cozy and pleasant co-owner and chatted to her concerning the vineyard and the way it was began by her husband’s Croatian household.

The vineyard was known as West Brook because of its location beside a brook, the place the unique winery as soon as stood.

They, after all, felt no want to vary the title as soon as they moved.

The West Brook cellar door seems throughout an idyllic duck pond and terraced picnic space with a garden to row after row of Waimauku vines.

It’s a picturesque setting to sit down and get to know one in all West Brook’s award profitable bottles of wine and a picnic lunch

Susan took us to the tasting room to take us by the number of award-winning wines, educating us slightly about how the wines are crafted and sharing tales of her household and grandchildren, over the sampling of some high quality cabernet blends and whites.

It was exhausting to decide on one to take residence with, however we settled on a bottle of 2008 Reserve Pinot Noir, which sits on our shelf right here at residence ready for that big day the place Mummy and Daddy can simply sit and unwind over a pleasant diner collectively, simply the 2 of us.

2. Kumeu River Wines

• Hours: 9.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday, 11.00am – 4.30pm Saturday, Closed Sunday
• Tackle: 550 State Freeway 16, Kumeū 0892
• Internet: https://kumeuriver.co.nz/

Situated in West Auckland is the Kumeu wine Nation, recognized for producing white wines, together with award-winning Chardonnay.

Kumeu River Wines, based in 1944 by Mick Brajkovich and his household, is among the most famed wineries within the area.

This family-run institution has a wealthy historical past of crafting distinctive wines and contributing to the worldwide fame of the area’s wine.

A go to to Kumeu River Wines is a good way to be taught concerning the wine making course of. Friends can discover the gorgeous vineyards, take part in informative tastings, and be taught concerning the winemaking course of from a household of wine makers.

Kumeu River Wines is especially celebrated for its Chardonnays. Their Single Winery and Property Chardonnays showcase the area’s distinctive terroir, delivering class and complexity in each sip.

The vineyard doesn’t simply produce white wine but additionally purple wine, utilizing grape varieties equivalent to Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, every reflecting the fervour and experience of the Brajkovich household.

3. Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island, situated simply 18 kilometers east of downtown Auckland, is a wine lover’s paradise.

This beautiful island not solely affords breathtaking surroundings and pristine seashores but additionally boasts a thriving wine area that has gained worldwide recognition.

Visiting Waiheke Island permits you to discover a plethora of world-class wineries and vineyards, with over 30 wineries and cellar doorways to select from.

You may take pleasure in tastings, guided excursions, and picnics. Some notable boutique wineries on the island embody Tantalus Property Winery & Vineyard, Mudbrick Winery & Restaurant, and Casita Miro.

The historical past of winemaking on Waiheke Island dates again to the Nineteen Seventies when pioneers acknowledged the island’s potential for producing high-quality wines, with a temperate local weather and glorious soil circumstances.

At present, the area focuses on sturdy purple wines, significantly Bordeaux blends and Syrah. These wines are recognized for his or her class, complexity, and skill to age gracefully.

Except for wine tasting, you can even discover the colourful artwork scene, take pleasure in outside actions like mountain climbing and biking, and savor scrumptious delicacies at native eating places and cafes.

Ferry tickets to Waiheke Island may be purchased from Quay Avenue Ferry Terminal in central Auckland and takes about 40 minutes.

4. Church Highway Vineyard, Hawke’s Bay

• Hours: 10.30am – 4.30pm, 5.00pm – 8.30pm Friday, 10.30am – 5.00pm Saturday, 10.30am – 4.30pm Sunday and Monday
• Tackle: 150 Church Highway, Taradale, Napier 4112
• Internet: http://www.church-road.co.nz/

Church Highway Vineyard isn’t precisely near Auckland, however is definitely value a go to, because it’s nestled within the famend Hawke’s Bay wine area of New Zealand.

With a proud heritage relationship again to 1897, Church Highway Vineyard is among the most acclaimed wineries within the space.

Like most wineries, Church Highway Vineyard permits visitors to go to the cellar door and expertise wine tastings and gross sales.

Church Highway Vineyard is understood for its Grand Reserve wines, crafted utilizing chosen parcels from high vineyards throughout Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago.

These wines are meticulously produced to showcase the area’s terroir and spotlight the very best qualities of the grape varietals. From wealthy and complicated reds to elegant whites, there’s something to go well with each palate.

Craig did a biking vineyard tour in Hawke’s Bay and cherished it. The bike path is through the coastal cycleway which is a devoted cycle path that’s flat and simple to navigate. Many of the wineries are inside straightforward biking distance.

5. Looking Lodge Vineyard, Waimauku

• Hours: 11.00am – 8.00pm Thursday – Saturday, 11.00am – 6.00pm Sunday
• Tackle: 305/307 Waikoukou Valley Highway, Waimauku 0882
• Internet: https://www.thehuntinglodge.com/

The Looking Lodge Vineyard, nestled within the picturesque Waimauku area of Auckland, New Zealand, is a gorgeous 80-acre property vineyard only a brief drive from the town middle.

You may discover their Cellar Door and Garden Bar, the place you possibly can take pleasure in wine tastings and loosen up within the lovely environment.

The vineyard additionally includes a restaurant, providing delectable delicacies paired completely with their wines.

6. Fino Valley Wines, Henderson Valley

• Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday, 10.00am – 5.00pm Saturday, Closed Sunday
• Tackle: 283 Henderson Valley Highway, Henderson Valley, Auckland 0612
• Internet: http://www.finovalley.com/

One other one in all Auckland’s boutique vineyards is situated within the Henderson Valley.

Fino Valley Wines is a family-owned vineyard that carries over 100 years of winemaking custom and historical past, making it a must-visit vacation spot for wine lovers.

At Fino Valley Wines, you possibly can take pleasure in a wide range of New Zealand wines, together with Sauvignon Blanc, Rieslings, Merlot, Malbec, Moscato, Cabernet, Port, Sherry, Liqueurs, and even Blueberry Wine.

Their various choice ensures there’s one thing to go well with each palate.

7. Matakana Vineyard

Situated an hour’s drive north of Auckland is Matakana Property Vineyard,

This area is residence to a number of boutique wineries, however Matakana Vineyard is by far some of the prestigious.

It boasts a various vary of wines. The vineyards right here develop a wide range of grape varietals, together with Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Sangiovese, and extra.

Every wine is crafted with care to showcase the distinctive flavors and traits of the Matakana area.

8. Babich Wines

• Hours: 10.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday, Closed Saturday and Sunday
• Tackle: 15 Babich Highway, Henderson Valley, Auckland 0612
• Internet: http://www.babichwines.com/

When you don’t wish to enterprise removed from the town middle, Babich Wines is situated within the metropolis of Auckland and is among the most accessible vineyards.

Babich Wines is the oldest family-owned winemaking firm within the nation and a number one NZ wine model.

With a wealthy historical past relationship again to 1912 when Croatian migrant Josip Babich planted the primary vines from Croatia in Henderson Valley, Babich Wines was born.

The vineyard produces a various number of varietals, together with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and extra.

Identified for his or her dedication to sustainability, Babich Wines additionally affords vegan wines, which is exclusive to this vineyard.

9. Brick Bay Wines

• Hours: 10.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday, 10.00am – 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday
• Tackle: 17 Arabella Lane, Snells Seaside 0982
• Internet: http://www.brickbay.co.nz/

Brick Bay Wines is famend for its boutique wines and charming Sculpture Path.

As you stroll by their Brick Bay Sculpture Path, you possibly can marvel at an open-air gallery that includes over 60 giant sculptures.

The beautiful native panorama offers a serene backdrop as you discover the artwork and benefit from the tranquility of the environment.

Brick Bay Wines can also be recognized for producing a variety of boutique wines, together with their famed Brick Bay Pharos, recognized for its distinctive fruit high quality, velvety end, and tight construction.

Wine lovers can pattern these beautiful wines whereas having fun with all-day eating on the spectacular Glass Home.

10. Soljans Property Vineyard

• Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday, 10.00am – 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday
• Tackle: 366 State Freeway 16, Kumeū 0892
• Internet: http://www.soljans.co.nz/

Soljans Property Vineyard, additionally situated in Kumeu Wine Nation, is a family-owned vineyard relationship again to 1937.

Discover their beautiful vineyards, be taught concerning the winemaking course of, and take pleasure in wine tastings, or go to the bistro the place you possibly can take pleasure in scrumptious meals paired with their distinctive wines.

Soljans Property Vineyard produces a wide range of wines, together with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Syrah.

Their award-winning wines are recognized for his or her high quality and distinctive flavors, reflecting the distinctive terroir of the Kumeu area.

11. Hallertau Brewery, Auckland

• Hours: 11.00am – Midnight each day
• Tackle: 1171 CoatesvilleRiverhead Hwy, Riverhead, Auckland
• Internet: www.hallertau.co.nz

Though not a vineyard, we’ve got to incorporate the Hallertau Brewery to showcase simply how various New Zealand’s brewing scene is!

We turned main followers of micro-breweries while residing within the US as they’ve so many nice ones. You’re often assured a flavourful beer.

The Hallertau Brewbar and Restaurant, a New Zealand first, is the brainchild of beer maker Steve Plowman. 

Nestled within the greenery of Riverhead, solely a twenty minute drive from the town, Hallertau didn’t allow us to down with its mixture of brewing and epicurean lifestyle we have been in a position to sit again and luxuriate in for a few hours.

It was well worth the drive only for the recent and shiny decor of the brewery itself, the orange and golden hues an ideal complement to the ales and lagers we sampled.

We began with a beer sampling tray earlier than our meal, earlier than selecting our favourites to take pleasure in a pint of with a scrumptious lunch.

Hallertau prides themselves on the truth that they make their beer with their arms and solely use yeast, rainwater and fistfuls of hops. There’s nothing we like greater than beer that’s pure of filled with pure goodness.

They have been all superb and it was troublesome to decide on only one. I went for the Hallertau Copper Tart- I like me a purple ale – whereas craig loved the Scwarzbier (black beer)

The meals on the menu at Hallertau is recent and filled with pure flavours. They typically use fruit and veg from their very own kitchen backyard as a lot as they’ll.

They bake their very own bread and make their very own sauces. Eggs are laid by their very own free roaming brewery chickens.

For lunch Craig loved a roast pumpkin risotto and I selected grilled salmon with mozerella, caramelized onions, and tomatoes…

Closing Ideas

New Zealand’s wineries provide a charming mix of beautiful landscapes, world-class wines, and heat hospitality.

Auckland is among the high producing wine areas and has a novel mix of grape varieties, permitting you to pattern totally different variations of wines and discover your new favourite.

There may be no doubts {that a} go to to a vineyard is an unmissable expertise in Auckland.

We hope this information helped you choose a vineyard to decide on in your New Zealand journey and gave you some perception into the nation’s vibrant wine tradition. Listed here are another concepts for issues to do on the North Island, different superior locations to go to in New Zealand, experiencing Auckland’s SkyWalk, and the close by thermal swimming pools in Rotorua.