Wine Culture

With its long sunshine hours and warm summer nights, Hawke's Bay's temperate climate produces ripe fruit with balanced acidity.

The area has a rich winegrowing heritage - more than 150 years - and today, total plantings of Bordeaux style red vines exceed Chardonnay, the most planted white grape. More than 70% of New Zealand's Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec are grown in Hawke's Bay.

Hawke's Bay is the second largest wine growing area in New Zealand and represents 23% of the total New Zealand vineyard area. It key varieties are Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc

There are at least 28 cellar doors open to visitors and a whole host of ways to visit them. By bike, by chauffeur driven limousine, a guided wine tour or self-drive - we have plenty of maps and can suggest an itinerary. We can even arrange a behind the scenes tour of our sponsor wineries for guests of Fairhall Estate.

"A wonderfully relaxing, stylish weekend and so close for the wineries.  Fantastic!"  Rachel and Stephen, Sydney, Australia.