HAWKES BAY - North Island, New Zealand

Hawkes Bay takes pride in being New Zealand's premier wine growing region and producing wines that are of the highest standard internationally and nationally.

The Hawkes Bay wine trail goes through about 40 wineries with free tastings. Most vineyards have boutique restaurants where you can enjoy fine lunches and sample wine in beautiful settings.

Hawkes Bay has a climate similar to that of Bordeaux vineyards and produces top quality chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. In 1851, French missionaries planted the first vines in Hawkes Bay thus giving it the reputation of being the longest established wine growing region in the country.

The Mission Estate Winery is the oldest though over the years, many other wineries have sprung up not just in the fertile regions but also in Tuatekuri, Ngaruroro and Tukituki rivers.

Some of the top wineries in the Hawkes Bay region with great dining choices and picnic parks are: Black Barn, Clearview Estate, Mission Estate, Church Road, Sacred Hill, Ngatarawa, Te Awa, Sileni Estates, Te Mata Estate and Trinity Hill.

If you use your own transport, you can pick up a leaflet detailing the different vineyards and their opening hours from the Napier or Hastings visitor centres. The wine trail is synonymous with the art and food trail in this region.

A free art trail booklet on the Hawkes Bay region has descriptions of the best sculptors, painters, craftsmen, potters and where their works are displayed in galleries and workshops. The free food trail booklet gives a great listing of wineries, cafes, restaurants and shops selling fresh produce.

A typical wine tour consists of visits to about 5 wineries, generally in the Napier area, with pickups at Hastings or Havelock North. Some of the well known tours are Vince's Vineyard Tours and Grape Escape, and you may also get a chance to visit fresh food produce and farmer markets.

They can be full day or half day tours, either in the morning or afternoon. You can also cycle around the vineyards with an operator putting together a series of two to six wineries in the 14 km to 23 km range.

Hastings

Hastings is a charming town 20 kms south of Napier whose farmland and orchard economy have generated huge wealth for the area.

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Napier

Napier is the largest city in the Hawkes Bay region and is a premier place to live in a coastal city, with beautiful expansive views and a Mediterranean climate. Napier has one of the world's finest collection of art deco buildings, a huge variety of cafes, and heaps of fun and activities for kids. Napier is surrounded by many excellent wineries.

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Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers, an outlying area of Napier, is home to forty or so wineries, and a huge world famous gannet colony. It is about 9 kms south of Napier past Marine Parade.

Cape Kidnappers - More Information

Gisborne

Gisborne is New Zealand's eastern most city and is a relaxed laid back city with a charming appeal.

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Hawkes Bay Transportation

The Hawkes Bay Airport is located 5 kms north of Napier on SH2. There is a shuttle service from the airport to the town. There are long distance buses into the town.

Hawkes Bay Accommodation

Hawkes Bay Activities