Top Ten
A weekend itinerary for food and wine lovers in Hawke’s Bay
10/12/2024
For so many reasons, Hawke’s Bay is easy to underestimate.
Firstly, its size. The region is vast. So if you only have a weekend to fully appreciate this chunky corner of Aotearoa, you will want to limit the time you spend journeying from place to place. Don’t worry, you’ll have ample opportunity to appreciate the scenery no matter what.
The region is also quietly unassuming, which is perhaps its greatest asset.
Whether you’re a winemaker or a wine lover, then welcome to paradise. However, people from ‘The Bay’ don’t like to make a huge fuss about their world-beating wine region. In fact, the only fuss they’ll make is about you - with exceptional restaurants, first-class hospitality and patient, informative cellar door tastings to be found all over the region.
So how on earth do you squeeze in so much in just a weekend? To give you the best possible chance of doing so, we’ve clustered five non-negotiable Hawke’s Bay food and wine experiences that won’t require you to spend hours on end in the car.
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Mission Estate Winery
Napier, Hawke's Bay, North IslandWhen it was first realised in 1851 that Hawke’s Bay had all the ingredients to produce incredible wine, it was no surprise that a group of French missionaries set up shop as quickly as possible. To their delight - and now the world’s - the region’s terroir bore a striking resemblance to Bordeaux. With some of the oldest vines in Aotearoa, Mission naturally produce some of the greatest vintages the region has to offer. The restaurant is also top-end. Be sure to arrive early to wander through the vineyards and lawns which command gorgeous views back down to Napier and across the bay.
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Craggy Range
Havelock North, Hawke's Bay, North IslandTo make your weekend in Hawke’s Bay truly special, this is where you push the boat out. Opulent, luxurious, traditional yet modern, everything about Craggy Range has a touch of magic about it. Head Chef Casey McDonald’s multi-award winning restaurant attracts foodies the world over, while many of the estate’s higher-end wines hail from the highly-coveted sub-region of Gimblett Gravels - not every winery gets a piece of that particular pie. To make your weekend unforgettable, stay in one of the luxurious cottages or lodges which sit among the vines and below the dramatic Te Mata escarpment.
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Te Mata Estate
Havelock, Hawke's Bay, North IslandJust down the road from Craggy Range, you’ll find the unassuming but inviting Te Mata estate. Famed for its Bordeaux-beater, Coleraine, Te Mata has become synonymous with quality blends but also top-notch Shiraz (make sure you try the Bullnose) and even Gamay Noir. The flagship Coleraine tends to sell out in a matter of days after its late-summer release, but get your hands on a case of Awatea to bring home and you won’t be disappointed.
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Church Road Winery
Taradale, Hawke's Bay, North IslandPrestigious and historic, Church Road is a Hawke’s Bay institution. Sitting above its estate selection are no fewer than five top-end collections, with some only produced when the winemakers are supremely confident the wine emulates the title. Top of that list is the TOM range, which features in the Icon Tasting - with includes some back vintages to boot. In summer, bookings are essential for all of Church Road’s tastings, but if you’re only here for two days, then it’s worth securing your spot for the Icon.
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Tony Bish Wines at The Urban Winery
Napier, Hawke's Bay, North IslandIf you do manage to visit all of our recommendations on this list, then at some point between Te Mata and Church Road you’ll pass through the quaint art deco town of Napier. It would be a pity to visit Hawke’s Bay without ticking it off, and The Urban Winery is a great way to sample as many wines from across the entire region as possible. Be sure to sample the house range by Tony Bish as well as their sumptuous platters. Walk everything off with a gentle stroll around Ahuriri marina.
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