Vines & Villages: Kumeu or Matakana Wine Tour
- Duration
- About 6 hours (Kumeu) or 8–8.5 hours (Matakana)
- Suggested pickup
- 10:00 am (Kumeu) or 9:00 am (Matakana) from central Auckland hotels or the cruise terminal
- Ideal for
- Wine lovers short on time, couples, small groups of friends, cruise guests and arrival or departure days
Award-winning wine country just beyond the city, with no ferry needed.
Not everyone wants to cross the water for great wine, and they don't have to. Choose your mainland wine country and we'll take care of the rest. Kumeu, about half an hour north-west of the city, is a long-established wine district best known for elegant, world-class Chardonnay. Family-run estates there have been making wine for generations. Pair your tastings with a leisurely lunch, then visit the dramatic gannet colony on the cliffs at Muriwai. Matakana, an hour north, is a little more bohemian. You'll find boutique vineyards, sculpture trails among the vines, a buzzing Saturday farmers' market and golden beaches close by. Whichever you choose, your guide-host matches the cellar doors to what you like to drink. They'll find you a beautiful table for lunch and keep the day relaxed and unhurried. It's a refined, easy-going escape, and the perfect introduction to New Zealand wine.
Sample itinerary: Kumeu (half day plus lunch, times approximate)
- 10:00 amPickup from your Auckland accommodation
- 10:45 amFirst cellar door tasting
- 11:45 amSecond tasting
- 12:45 pmVineyard lunch
- 2:00 pmMuriwai: gannet colony lookout and black-sand beach
- 3:00 pmOptional third tasting or artisan stop
- 4:00 pmReturn to your accommodation
Sample itinerary: Matakana (full day, times approximate)
- 9:00 amPickup from your Auckland accommodation
- 10:15 amMatakana Village (the farmers' market on Saturdays)
- 11:00 amVineyard sculpture walk and first tasting
- 12:30 pmLong vineyard lunch
- 2:00 pmSecond boutique tasting
- 3:00 pmBeach stop at Tāwharanui, Omaha or Leigh, or a chocolate or artisan stop
- 4:15 pmDepart for Auckland
- 5:30 pmReturn to your accommodation
Inclusions and exclusions
Included: Standard inclusions, plus tastings at two or three cellar doors, lunch, and any sculpture-trail entry on the Matakana itinerary.
Not included: Standard exclusions, plus wine with lunch, bottle purchases and shipping, and gallery or market purchases.
Standard inclusions
- A comfortable, air-conditioned premium vehicle chosen to suit your group, used only by your party
- Your own guide-host for the whole day
- Door-to-door pickup and return in central Auckland (hotels, apartments, cruise terminal)
- Chilled water, good coffee stops and a few locally made treats on board
- Flexible pacing: we can linger, skip a stop or change the order
Standard exclusions
- Drinks with lunch (unless stated)
- Optional extras and upgrades not listed as included
- Personal purchases and souvenirs
- Gratuities (always optional, never expected)
- Travel insurance
- Airport or out-of-zone pickups (quoted on request)
Price
Tailored to you. Price on request.
Every day is planned around your group, dates and wishes, so we quote each tour individually, in New Zealand dollars. Tell us who is travelling and when, and we'll reply personally with a clear, itemised quote, usually within 24 hours.
Let's plan your day.
Tell us when you're visiting, who's travelling and what you love. We'll come back to you personally with ideas and a clear quote, usually within 24 hours.
Request a quote
