When most Americans picture New Zealand wine, Sauvignon Blanc comes to mind immediately. And, don’t get me wrong: I love a Sauvy B. Enough that I named one of my cats after it. Grapefruit, cut grass, that unmistakable Marlborough snap. What’s not to love?
Marlborough is on the South Island, so almost everyone planning a New Zealand wine trip flies into Blenheim, tastes their way through one grape, and goes home.
I went the other way. I’ll make it to the South Island one day, but the North Island is warmer, and it’s where New Zealand makes its Bordeaux-style blends, right up my alley.
The day I landed in Auckland, I stopped by a cellar door in the city to taste a few South Island flights — partly curiosity, partly checking my own work. Here’s what I wrote down that day:
“North Island has a warmer climate + a lot of Bordeaux-style blends; South Island has your classic NZ Sauvignon Blancs + Pinot Gris + Chardonnay and has a cooler climate. I prefer red wines, so I’m pretty confident in my choice to stick to the North Island.”
And there was no way I was passing up Hawke’s Bay. New Zealand’s oldest wine region, making wine since 1851, and the Syrah from Craggy Range had no business being as good as it was for the price. This trip also turned me from an ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) person into a Chardonnay fan. Keep that varietal on your radar when you go.
If you’re looking for the best wineries on New Zealand’s North Island, this is the guide to the nine I tasted at, across four regions, plus the Waiheke Island day I planned in detail and never got to use.
North Island vs. South Island — which is better for wine?
Both islands are fantastic choices for any wine lover, but it really just depends on your preference.
The South Island is better if you want Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and cool-climate Chardonnay. The North Island is better if you want red wine. It is warmer, and it is where New Zealand makes its Syrah and its Bordeaux-style blends, mostly in Hawke’s Bay, alongside world-class Pinot Noir in Martinborough.
The four wine regions in the North Island to visit are:
- Hawke’s Bay: New Zealand’s oldest wine region, known for Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet blends, especially from the Gimblett Gravels
- Martinborough / Wairarapa: Pinot Noir, small, about an hour from Wellington
- Gisborne: Chardonnay, and the first wine region in the world to see the sunrise
- Waiheke: Bordeaux-style reds and Syrah, a ferry ride from downtown Auckland
The Best North Island New Zealand Wineries: At A Glance
Hawke’s Bay
Craggy Range, Church Road, Elephant Hill
Martinborough
Ata Rangi, Moy Hall, Poppies, The Runholder
Gisborne
Matawhero, Bushmere Estate, Wrights Vineyard
Waiheke Island
Te Motu, Batch Winery, Cable Bay, Man O’ War Vineyards, Tantalus Estate
PART ONE: THE WINERIES I TASTED AT
A note for my U.S. readers: New Zealand wineries often use the term “Cellar Door” instead of “Tasting Room.”
Hawke’s Bay Wineries: New Zealand’s oldest wine region
If you’re going to go wine tasting anywhere on the North Island, Hawke’s Bay would be my top pick. As mentioned earlier, it’s New Zealand’s oldest region and the second largest in the country.
I’d highly recommend making Napier your home base if you’re visiting Hawke’s Bay: it’s a charming coastal town with the world’s largest collection of Art Deco buildings, the National Aquarium of New Zealand, and an incredible dining scene. Pro tip: visit the Hawke’s Bay Farmer’s Market while you’re here; you won’t regret it!
While we didn’t stay here, Hastings is also another great home for your Hawke’s Bay adventure. You can find a lot of great dining options here as well!
Church Road Winery
Church Road Winery was founded in 1897 and pioneered the Hawke’s Bay wine industry. Its winemaker, Chris Scott, has won New Zealand’s Winemaker of the Year award by Winestate for many years.
Church Road also has an on-site restaurant, Orton’s, making it easy to pair lunch with your tasting. Orton’s sources fresh, local produce and serves up an incredible menu packed with seasonal fare. The wine selection is exquisite: you’ll find delicious Syrah, elegant Pinot Noirs, and unexpected single varietals like Malbec.
Craggy Range
Now, I don’t like to pick favorites, but Craggy Range stood out as a highlight. This winery had everything: incredible ambiance, exceptional wines, and fantastic hospitality. I cannot recommend Craggy Range enough!
Craggy Range has vineyards in the renowned terroir of Gimblett Gravels in Hawke’s Bay and Giants Estate. You really can’t go wrong with any of the wines here, but I was a big fan of their Syrah.
Elephant Hill Winery
Elephant Hill will always have a special place in my heart, because this is where I finally realized that I do, in fact, like Chardonnay.
Now, to give Elephant Hill credit, they offer much more than Chardonnay: they offer Syrah, Merlot, beautiful red blends, and more. But to my surprise, I, the red wine lover, walked out with two bottles of Chard. I’d recommend the Guided Tasting here since they have so many incredible options.
Martinborough Wineries: Pinot Noir an hour from Wellington
If you’re a Pinot Noir lover, Martinborough should absolutely be on your list. This smaller wine region is about an hour from Wellington, and its Pinot is world-renowned. Although the first vines were planted here in 1883, the region saw a resurgence in 1970. Along with Pinot, you can also find a bit of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay planted here.
If you’re staying in Martinborough, I’d highly recommend the Parehua Resort. It has a beautiful property, a great on-site restaurant, and is close to several wineries. We loved our stay here and would 100% visit again.
Ata Rangi
A prestige producer that’s 100% worth the hype. Ata Rangi was founded in 1980 by Clive Paton and is one of only two wineries in the country to earn the Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa title (the equivalent of a Grand Cru designation). They take a “hands-off” approach to winemaking and are committed to highlighting the true expression of each wine.
Despite the accolades, I found the tasting at Ata Rangi to be incredibly approachable, and their staff was delightful. Not to state the obvious, but if you have the opportunity to try one of their Pinots (and bring a bottle home), do it.
Three more worth booking
- Moy Hall — A small, family-owned winery offering handcrafted, single vineyard wines. I would recommend grabbing lunch here in addition to tasting!
- Poppies Martinborough — Yes, Poppies has delicious Pinot Noir to sample, but I found their Rosé and their aromatic white wines to be a standout. Beautiful property; this is a place you’ll want to grab a glass and linger.
- The Runholder — This winery was closed when we were in town, but came highly recommended by locals. On the top of my list for the next visit.
Gisborne Wineries: first in the world to see the sunrise
Gisborne is home to the world’s most easternmost vineyards, and it is also New Zealand’s Chardonnay country. Although it’s a bit more remote, it’s home to a mix of larger producers and smaller, boutique wineries. In addition to Chard, you can also find Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Pinot Gris in this region. The East Cape is also home to some of the best surfing in the country, if that’s your thing.
Matawhero Wines
I crossed one thing off my bucket list when I was in Gisborne and stayed at Matawhero Wines, which is the first vineyard in the world to see the sunrise. Located 10 minutes south of Gisborne, it felt like a rustic, charming escape. The property was stunning, and since we stayed on a weekday, we actually had the entire place to ourselves.
When you book a cabin here, you’ll receive a complimentary bottle of wine and breakfast upon check-in. While we arrived too late to do a full tasting, I would 100% go back to their cellar door for a proper, full tasting experience.
Two more in Gisborne
- Bushmere Estate — Bushmere Estate is a family-owned vineyard producing small batch wines. In addition to Chardonnay, they also produce Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Merlot, Montepulciano, and Sangiovese.
- Wrights Vineyard and Winery — A charming, boutique winery producing award-winning, certified organic and biodynamic wines. One of my top picks in the region.
Side note: Gisborne is a bit of a drive from most major cities, but we made a road trip out of it. We drove the entire route of New Zealand’s Pacific Coast Highway, which runs from Auckland to Hawke’s Bay. Full blog post about this road trip coming soon!
PART TWO: THE WAIHEKE ISLAND DAY I PLANNED AND NEVER GOT TO USE
I was so excited for our overnight trip to Waiheke Island. I meticulously researched, planned, and put together this itinerary for weeks. Every stop booked, the ferry timed, a rental car waiting at Matiatia.
And then, I got sick, and had to scrap this entire portion of the trip.
I’m including it anyway. The research is good, and this is the part of wine travel nobody writes about: sometimes you plan the day and the day doesn’t happen. Everything below is a plan, not a review. I haven’t tasted at any of these.
Getting there: ferry from downtown Auckland, roughly $70 NZD round trip in March 2024. I rented a car on the island rather than booking a tour, about $285 NZD for two days.
Day one: Batch Winery · Te Motu, Onetangi · Casita Miró (lunch) · Obsidian (wine tasting, unsure if they’re currently open) · The Oyster Inn (dinner)
Day two: Mudbrick Vineyard · Man O’ War Vineyards (tasting and lunch) · Tantalus Estate
Where I was going to stay: Cable Bay Views in Oneroa, walking distance to both Mudbrick and Cable Bay Vineyards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the North Island or South Island better for wine in New Zealand?
South Island for Sauvignon Blanc and cool-climate whites; North Island for reds. Hawke’s Bay makes New Zealand’s best Syrah and Bordeaux-style blends, and Martinborough makes world-class Pinot Noir.
What wine is New Zealand’s North Island known for?
Syrah and Bordeaux-style red blends from Hawke’s Bay, Pinot Noir from Martinborough, and Chardonnay from Gisborne.
How many days do you need for a North Island wine trip?
Ten days lets you drive Auckland to Wellington and taste in four regions without rushing badly. A week works if you cut Gisborne.
Do you need to book North Island winery tastings in advance?
Yes. I booked three to four weeks ahead for a March trip and several cellar doors required it.
When is the best time to visit New Zealand wine country?
Some cellar doors are closed in winter (June-August), so if you want to maximize your experience, I’d go sometime between spring and fall. We visited in March, which was harvest season, and I highly recommend that timing because the weather was perfect and there were tons of events at the wineries.
Can you visit Waiheke Island wineries without a car?
Some people rent e-bikes to get around Waiheke Island. You can also book a tour or a hop on/hop off bus if you don’t want the hassle of renting a car.
North Island New Zealand Wineries: Is the Trip Worth It?
As much as I love Sauvignon Blanc, I’m pretty thrilled with my decision to visit wineries in the North Island rather than opting for the largest wine region in the country in the South Island. The wineries I went to were incredible, the road trip was majestic, and I completely fell in love with the North Island as a whole. I’ll make it to Marlborough one day, but I cannot wait to visit the North Island again — and hopefully make it to Waiheke Island successfully next time.
My full ten-day, North Island road trip itinerary is coming soon, but in the meantime, check out:
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