When you are on holiday in scenic New Zealand, there is so much on offer: water sports, breathtaking beaches, scenic and historic walks, but sometimes being spoilt and relaxing and getting a little tipsy is what the doctor ordered, and boy do we have just the experience for you: The NZ WinePro Tours.
Winning numerous awards in tourism this company offers the gold standard of day trips, curated by Tour Director John McFarlane who created the company in 2002, McFarlane has developed the company into one of Auckland prestigious experiences, and working with the department of conservation, has gained access to some of the city’s most beautiful and protected areas. WinePro offers four tours to choose from, each exploring a different part of Auckland.
Vineyards Honey and Black Sand Beaches
This tour is a six-hour journey around the rugged West Coast including the Muriwai black sand beach, but don’t fret, there is also a selection of historic and award-winning wineries to explore as well! First stop is Kumeu River Wines, Pioneers in New Zealand winemaking since 1944, sourcing wine from grapes grown on their own ten Kumeu and Huapai Vineyards. Following that, it’s Soljans Estate which also features special honey made from the native NZ Tea Tree, and after lunch an afternoon visit to West Brook Wines or the Hunting Lodge Winery for a lavish selection of wines in the cellar door shop.
Matakana Coastal Getaway Wine Tour
Heading North West on this tour, you will experience a tour through the coastal seaside resort towns of Orewa and Waiwera Mineral Springs. The wineries on this tour include Hunting Lodge Winery, lunch at Plume Vineyard Restaurant and an afternoon tasting at either Omaha Bay wines or Ascension Wines. Along the way, you will also get to stop in at the Puhoi Cheese Factory to taste some delicious cheeses, see a rare 850-year-old Kauri tree, and sample some native flora honey at the New Zealand Honey Centre.
Piha Karekare Rain Forest Wine Adventure
Head out west to the Piha region where you will Head up into the stunning Waitakere Ranges, Piha, and he beautiful Karekare waterfalls. During your journey you will get to taste of varietals and blends at Soljans Winery, Hunting Lodge Winery and West Brook Wines, Situated in the picturesque Waimauku Valley.
Muriwai Scenic Morning Or Afternoon Wine Tour
The smallest and most affordable tour available takes you out to the market garden and lifestyle areas of Kumeu, Huapai, Waimauku and the black sand beaches of Muriwai. In terms of tasting wine, you’ll be taken to West Brook Wines for a cellar door tasting and The Hunting Lodge Winery a modern winery to finish it off.
So if you are up for a day of exploring what the outer reaches of Auckland and this country has to offer, while experiencing some of our best wineries, this award-winning tour is one that is not to be missed.
Enjoying a drink or a bite to eat by the water is something everyone can agree is a prime experience, and with Aarangi Motel being central to both Mission Bay and Kohimarama, you have the selection of two great social hubs by the water to choose from.
Mission bay houses a wide variety of restaurants with different themes and flavors to choose from. Dos Amigos is an authentic Mexican restaurant located directly across the waterfront and offers dishes made from traditional recipes and the restaurant itself is also authentic in style, with a Latin American theme, including decorations down to sombrero-wearing pet lizards?! Dos Amigos is a famous location with authentic flavor and has everything you need to feed the family or just enjoy some good food and one or more cocktails by the water! Speaking of beverages, we can’t discuss wining and dining in mission Bay without mentioning De Fontein Belgian Beer Café. De Fontein features both an upstairs restaurant with a large balcony with views across the water to Rangitoto and a downstairs bar and pavement seating, ideal enjoying a delicious pint of craft beer.
Kohimarama also offers a selection of international flavors by the waterfront as well, Der Metz offers traditional German food across their menu (Including a variety of schnitzel), as well as a selection of German beer in large, German pints! The décor is also undeniably German, with flags and beer cozies littering the walls in German pride. If you are looking for something to enjoy during a day trip to Kohi Beach, Kohi Corner is a perfect drop-in point for premium café food, or to enjoy a selection of craft beers, extensive wine sections, and cocktails. This casual cafe has been the local favourite and is located right on the waterfront, it’s the perfect place to cool off and re-energize during a productive day at the beach! For a standout experience in wining and dining, an evening at The Attic is one you won’t forget anytime soon, their website makes a clear point of standing out from the other restaurants in the area by being a Gastro Pub. The menu is packed with a high-end Kiwi dining experience that includes grilled foods, burgers, seafood salads and more – something to please everyone who enters. The Attics selection of tap beers, wine and cocktails are perfect to enjoy in the buildings fantastic layout that includes an outside deck for summer and a cozy lounge with a fireplace for winter nights.
So no matter what you feel like eating or drinking, and no matter the size of your group, with such a vast selection of restaurants all located by the water, you are guaranteed a fantastic night out!
