Top 5 Spots to Sip the Local Drops
by Vicky Roebuck
I have lived in Hawke’s Bay for 2 years and currently work for the Regional Development Agency. I’m fortunate to get to visit lots of the fantastic places and activities Hawke’s Bay has to offer. Here are my current Top 5 Spots to sip the local drop. This was hard because there are so many fantastic places to enjoy wine in Hawke’s Bay but these are my tried and true old favourites.
Craggy Range Winery
Craggy Range sits at the base of Te Mata Peak in the Tuki Tuki Valley, and is one of the most spectacular settings I have ever seen. There is nothing better than sitting outside enjoying a glass of chilled wine whilst looking at the lake, with the silhouette of Te Mata Peak looming in the background. It is so peaceful with wide open spaces as far as the eye can see. In Winter I love to sit inside by the fire and while away the afternoon with a bottle of red.
Black Barn Vineyards
One of my favourite pass times is meeting friends at Black Barn. In Summer you can dine outside under the vines, and as a regular winner of New Zealand Cuisine Awards you are always guaranteed a fabulous lunch. After enjoying one of their boutique wines (I love the rose and the pinot gris) it’s fun to wander around the onsite gallery and take in the art exhibitions.
Elephant Hill
Elephant Hill is one of the newest wineries in Hawke’s Bay and has a really modern look and feel. Located right on the Pacific Ocean so whether you sit inside, outside or on the deck you have beautiful views of the Water and Cape Kidnappers. As well as being a great place to meet for a drink (the Elephant Hill viognier is out of this world!) or a casual snack Elephant Hills is one of my favorite places to eat – the food is sublime and the service is fantastic. Definitely a must do!
Te Mata Estate
Te Mata is one of Hawke’s Bays’ oldest wineries and is located in Havelock North. One of the best wine experiences I have had was a wine tasting with winemaker Peter Cowley. We organised a group visit and spent the afternoon tasting some of their finest wines. It was such a great day and Peter was a real fountain of knowledge. I was never a red wine drinker before this visit but fell in love with their Bull Nose Syrah. The cellar door is a must and if you are really keen, you can make it a cycle tour and carry on to Clive along the Rotary pathway.
Clearview
Clearview offers all the things you would expect from a world class winery but has the added bonus of a great playground and outdoor area for kids so its super family friendly. Set close to the Sea it has a relaxed rustic charm. They grow a lot of their own produce so when eating at Clearview, you know the food is some of the freshest around. Perfect to enjoy a bottle of rose with on hot day.
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