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East Coast is a grape destination

There’s nothing like wine-ing away the hours in summer sun in a beauty place, writes Juliette Sivertsen. Hawke’s Bay was made for that.

With more than 30 cellar doors and 70 wineries, Hawke’s Bay is a dream destination for wine lovers. Best known for its chardonnay and syrah, the region is the oldest winemaking region in New Zealand and produces some of the country’s finest drops in a range of varieties.

Each winery has a unique history and story of its own, and there are many to choose from.

Hop on a bike or find a driver, and sample the goods from these cellar doors with knowledgeable hosts and beautiful settings to start you off, then take a bottle home to enjoy at your leisure.

Elephant Hill

A stylish cellar door with nautical accents, Elephant Hill has a beautiful coastal setting complete with decorative infinity pool, ocean views, and endless vines to look out to. Choose the front deck, tasting room or the sunken lounge, and sample the wines while looking out to the cliffs of Cape Kidnappers.

Just pop in for a glass of wine if you don’t want to do the full tasting. Bookings preferred.

Flagship: Hieronymus (blended red), Salome chardonnay. elephanthill.co.nz

Clearview Estate

Clearview Estate offers a private tutored wine tasting experience. Located in Te Awanga, this coastal winery is a family-owned and operated business. The cellar door is modest with a rustic feel, but packs a big punch when it comes to the intensity of the fruit flavours in each drop. And it’s wheelchair accessible.

Flagship: Clearview Estate Reserve Chardonnay clearviewestate.co.nz

Craggy Range

Under the region’s famous Te Mata Peak, Craggy Range has tasting packages to suit everyone. Enjoy an intimate but relaxed seated tasting. Wheelchair accessible.

Flagship: Le Sol (syrah), Sophia (merlot blend) craggyrange.com

Trinity Hill

Trinity Hill is in the heart of the Gimblett Gravels area, the unique stony gravel wine-growing region that makes many of Hawke’s Bay wines famous.

The classy and warm cellar door has views to the white barrel hall, where you can see winemakers in action. There’s seating outdoors

with an expansive lawn for those lovely sunny days. Choose a self-guided tasting, or a guided tasting with Trinity’s wine experts. Family friendly and wheelchair accessible.

Flagship: Homage (syrah) trinityhill.com

Church Road

One of the oldest wineries in New Zealand, Church Road oozes sophistication and elegance with beautiful grounds big enough to host live music events. There are several tasting options, or opt for premium experiences with behind-the-scenes winery tours, or the full TOM experience, a tour based on Church Road’s flagship range, named after pioneering winemaker Tom McDonald. Family and dog friendly, and wheelchair accessible. Flagship: TOM (chardonnay, syrah, merlot cabernet sauvignon) church-road.com

Te Awanga Estate

With expansive views across the vines and out to the coastline, Te Awanga Estate is a beautiful spot to enjoy nature and quality wines. Enjoy the grazing menus or famous pizza to go with your wine tasting in a relaxed, sunny setting outdoors, that will make you feel like you are relaxing at the bach. Children welcome, wheelchair friendly, and you can bring your pooch too. Bookings preferred.

Flagship: Trademark chardonnay, syrah teawangaestate.co.nz

Te Mata Estate

Named after the magnificent ridge line, Te Mata Estate was gifted this name by Nga¯ ti Kahungunu. The winery was established in 1896, making it a unique winemaking heritage site. It now produces about 40,000 cases a year of premium wine. Guests can sample six of the current release wines, add a winery tour to the tasting, or choose a special VIP private vineyard and winery tour with seated tasting. No bookings required.

Flagship: Coleraine (cabernet merlot blend) temata.co.nz

Mission Estate Winery

Established by French missionaries in 1851 to make communion wine, Mission Estate has a rich history. Many traditional winemaking techniques have been handed down from its early French pioneers and are still used. Enjoy the tastings in this restored seminary building and soak up the French heritage. Bookings recommended.

Flagship: Huchet (syrah, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay) missionestate.co.nz

Black Barn Vineyards

This boutique winery outside Havelock North produces premium wines that are limited release. There are tasting options for small groups, as well as those who want a private in-depth experience. Groups of up to 20 can choose the private courtyard or under the fig trees for their tasting. Visit on a summer Saturday and enjoy the growers’ market on site in the heart of the vineyard.

Flagship: Black Barn Vineyards SV Cabernet Franc, BF Chardon (chardonnay) blackbarn.com

Staying safe

New Zealand is under Covid-19 restrictions. Follow the instructions at covid19.govt.nz.

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2021-11-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

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