The Best Wineries Around Hawke's Bay - Part One - Sophisticated & Upmarket
- Helen
- Jan 7, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: May 28, 2019
Napier is surrounded by wineries and these are a big reason many people visit this beautiful region of Hawke's Bay, NZ. The wineries here are a fun and relaxing way to spend time but they are diverse and with so many to choose from to visit where do you start?
To help you out, I spent time researching well over 20 of the region's wineries and will provide a round up of the best wineries around Napier you must visit...
Whether your preference is to spend time at an upmarket and elegant winery, a smaller boutique option or something slightly quirky I can help you out!
Within this series of three posts, my choices of the top 5 wineries for each of these categories are given. In this first post, let's begin with 5 of the best sophisticated and upmarket wineries around Napier.
First though, a bit of scene setting!
New Zealand As An International Wine Producer
Today New Zealand is world renowned for it's first class wine production and exports but this is relatively new.
Changes to wine export rules in the 1980s and the Kiwi's developing a taste for dry wines, such as sauvignon blanc, pinot gris and chardonnay have caused the NZ wine industry to evolve and grow since this time.
Wine exports from this small country are now forecast to rise to $NZ 2 billion in 2020 from just $NZ 18 million in 1990.
The sharp rise in wine production and export is seeing more turn to wine making to enjoy the rewards and today New Zealand has nearly 700 wine-makers, up from less than 100 thirty years ago. (source)
Hawke's Bay on the east cost of New Zealand's North Island is the oldest of the wine regions in the country and is the second largest.
Today of course one of the main attractions in the area to visitors (and locals) are the plentiful wineries who open their Cellar Doors for tastings and more. If you enjoy wine, or just beautiful scenery then visiting the wineries around Hawke's Bay is essential.
5 Of The Best Upmarket Wineries Hawke's Bay
1. Elephant Hill Winery
Elephant Hill Winery sits on the Te Awanga coastline, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Cape Kidnappers and as such offers a spectacular setting. Of the sophisticated and upmarket wineries to visit around Napier, I think that Elephant Hill would be a favourite.
Elephant Hill was established in 2003 by a married German couple with a vision. Sadly, the husband died in 2016 but the winery here continues to be family run.
A long palm tree lined drive runs up through the vineyards to the winery building and an impressive oriental style elephant statue.
The building at Elephant Hill is large and modern but it sits modestly in it's natural surroundings and inside it is bright and spacious. A large terrace offers space for visitors to relax, enjoy the climate, the setting and of course the wine!
An award winning restaurant is also provided at Elephant Hill serving lunch and dinner in a contemporary European style.
Elephant Hill offers sophisticated fine wines, beautiful surroundings and a setting that cannot be beaten... definitely a not to be missed winery to visit!
2. Mission Estate Winery
As the 'birthplace of New Zealand wine', established in 1851, Mission Estate is the oldest of New Zealand's wine makers.
Established by a group of French Missionaries who had generations of wine making experience between them, Mission Estate has been a success since the first vine was planted.
Located just outside Taradale, nestled into a hill, the Mission Estate Winery is a beautiful large white painted building with a sweeping drive. Gardens to the back offer views across the wine growing valley below, where people can sit, enjoy the peaceful environment and sample the wines.
The Estate provides a restaurant and accommodation, as well as their Cellar Door for visitors to simply undertake a wine tasting.
As a sophisticated and upmarket winery in the region, Mission Estate is very popular for weddings and other functions.
The Estate also hosts an annual 'Mission concert' in February in the grounds attracting large international stars... This year Phil Collins will be performing.
For it's history, setting and elegance, ensure you pay a visit to Mission Estate!
3. Church Road Winery
Located along the same stretch of road as Mission Estate is another of New Zealand's older wineries and of the more sophisticated and upmarket to visit.
Church Road was established in 1897 and in that time has not moved from it's current site.
As one of the region's most awarded wineries, the wines here do not disappoint and the experience of visiting Church Road is very enjoyable.
Located in an older style concrete, barn style building and surrounded by extensive beautiful gardens, the setting is easy to spend time and relax in.
A restaurant serves lunch each day, specialising in products sourced locally from Hawke's Bay.
The visitor experience at Church Road can be added to by way of a tour of the winery and museum. The museum is housed here underground in old concrete wine vats... The tour also includes a tutored wine tasting.
Tours of Church Road run daily at 2 pm (see their website for more!).
A celebrated and popular winery with visitors and locals, Church Road is upmarket and yet friendly and welcoming. Adding it to your itinerary will not disappoint.
4. Craggy Range Giants Winery
Compared to Mission Estate and Church Road wineries, Craggy Range Winery is in it's infancy.
The winery here was established by an Australian businessman and his wife in 1997 who wished to create a legacy and wines that would hold international acclaim. It is fair to say that they have achieved their vision!
Craggy Range can be found in the foothills of the looming Te Mata Peak, in one of the premium wine-growing areas within Hawke's Bay.
The estate is extensive, offering visitors plenty to explore... so much in fact I was handed a map at their Reception area!
As you approach the estate there is a large lake to your left with some fun sculptures of cattle on the grass. The main building is contemporary but fitting in the surroundings.
A restaurant is available for lunch and dinner, alongside guest accommodation in the grounds.
Craggy Range specialise in Bordeaux inspired wines and the flagship wine they produce is called Sophia which is made on site.
A trip to Craggy Range is an enjoyable experience - a larger estate to soak up and enjoy with excellent wines to boot.... plus it delivers on sophisication - what is not to like??
5. Te Awa Winery
Last, but of course not least on this list of the best sophisticated & upmarket wineries around Napier is Te Awa winery.
Te Awa winery is also located in the foothills of Te Mata, in the green and lush Gimblett Gravels region. Set within a sheltered spot, this single estate winery offers rustic charm and character.
Established in 1992, Te Awa is now owned by the Villa Maria group.
Wine tasting is available in the spacious cellar door and a restaurant is provided for visitors wishing to take more time at Te Awa's beautiful location.
Serving lunch daily, the restaurant here specialises in sharing plates made from local produce. Visitors can sit among the vines and gardens enjoying the food and wine at leisure.
The name Te Awa is taken from the full Maori name for the site, 'Te Awa o te Atua' which translates to 'River of God' as the site once had a river winding through it.
Offering rustic elegance and charm, Te Awa is a winery to enjoy at leisure.
So, that was the top 5 sophisticated and upmarket wineries found around Napier in Hawke's Bay...
Don't miss parts 2 and 3 in this series - the best boutique and the best quirky wineries around Napier to visit.
As ever, please share your thoughts and favourite wineries here - what did I miss?
**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**
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