Matakana Wine Trail - Where to Go

Eat local delicacies, sample organic wine or enjoy tales of a family vineyard Matakana: A day trip from Auckland

Diversity is the Matakana’s drawcard with family based vineyards offering visitors a highly individual personal touch to each winery. Together with artist trails and foodie treats Matakana is where you meet friendly locals and listen to their stories.

From 21 commercial grape growing/winery operations within the Matakana region emerge 28 varieties (17 Red and 11 White) planted, this made Matakana one of the most diverse wine regions in New Zealand.

Among pottery workshops, nearby beach communities, orchards and market gardens a wine region has found its gravitas with a growing reputation for diversity in style. Wine output is largely marketed directly from cellar doors with a few distributing throughout New Zealand and beyond. Cellar door visits are welcomed.

For other trips and holiday inspiration check out Auckland Road Trips.

Where to Start Matakana Wine Trail

Matakana Wine market @matakanawine

Matakana Wine Market where else. Grab some snacks, check out the market and sample the latest offering from a range of growers. The Matakana Wine Growers association showcases members wine at the local Matakana Farmers Market.

The rustic charm of a small village who has curated a world-class market where the local chemist, bookshop and eateries is the perfect place to start an exploration of the Matakana wine scene. Matakana Wine Market is a sponsor of the annual Oyster Festival Matakana and the Kowhai Festival Big Day Out.

The Vintry

@thevintrymatakana

Get the tote full with snacks from the Matakana market then The Vintry in the village could be your next stop. There is a shared cellar door for Matakana wineries and a tasting room with experts on hand to discover what appeals to your palate.

Any wine trail experience should be accompanied by lots of water, plenty to eat and samplings from no more than three vineyards in a day.

Matakana Winegrowers Association

@MatakanaWineTrail

Matakana Winegrowers’ live, work and play in Auckland’s best wine destination. Knowledgeable and passionate winemakers and viticulturists who produce a diverse range of quality wines. Visit and discover beautiful vineyards and cellar doors.

Brick Bay Wines

@brickbay

A doyenne of the wine scene in Matakana with a sculpture trail, a water lily lake and glassed edifice artly balanced over gardens and water you have the makings of an extended stopover tasting and enjoying the generous platters. Brick Bay is the perfect place to sample what the region has to offer for larger groups or those with kids in tow.

Te Rata Wines

@teratawine

Natural wines and organic cider on Duck Creek Road. Originally a large apple orchard Justin Oliver creates from small batches of organic grapes premium wines that are preservative free.

Yakutin Family Wines

@yakutinwines

Historic red brick chimney marks the entrance to Kazakhstan influenced wine makers, Oleg and Tanya. The wine is available from The Vintry (Matakana Village) and online. As Yakutin describes their wine as, ‘taste buds dancing on your palate.’

Gillman Vineyard

@greatlittlevineyards

Gillman Vineyard is a small vineyard, 1.5 acres where the owner Toby says he knows every vine personally. Practically it is a traditional operation with family hands involved every step of the way. Old World techniques perfected in the vineyards of Bordeaux to make small quantities of exceptional wine. The offerings are premium hand blender cabernet franc, merlot, and malbec in the style of the great chateaux of Bordeaux. Online sales or The Vintry.

Matavino Wines

@matavinowine

Matavino Wines is on the corner of the same road – it’s a younger vineyard, which grows Italian and French varieties. There’s a highly-regarded and rare Nebbiolo (a hearty Italian red from the Piemonte region) and a luscious Viognier – a great match for oysters and other seafood. There’s no café at Matavino however.

Runner Duck Estate

@plumematakana

Runner Duck Estate’s cellar door is hosted by Plume Restaurant. Set in gardens with rural landscapes framing the setting you feel spoiled. It is upmarket and a touch of luxury on the Matakana coast. For a special together moment this is the place to be.

Heron’s Flight Vineyard

@heronsflight

Premium red wines a personal favourite? Then Heron’s Flight is on the must visit list. The vineyard was originally planted in 1987 making it one of the oldest in the area. Impromptu picnics are encouraged under gnarled olive trees complete with a borrowed board game.

Omaha Bay Vineyard

@omahabayvineyard

Sweeping views, a beautifully presented antipasto platter, and diversity in wine choice makes Omaha Bay a local favourite. The vineyard has a gallery supporting nearby artists. Enjoy the views, the art works together with a glass of wine.

Hyperion Estate

@Hyperion Wines

Converting a cowshed into a tasting room is fun and combined with a trip to Morris & James pottery nearby you have the makings of a great day. Hyperion, on the other side of Matakana, has a funky converted cowshed as the winery and tasting room. It is like visiting someone’s classy home winery. The award winning winery processing is totally completed on site in the cowshed.

Getting Around

Matakana Tours. Liz and Geoff Bays have a wealth of local wine knowledge and you can relax into the day out assured your driving is in safe hands. Matakana tours will even arrange pick up and drop off selected Auckland city locations.

Splurge on a flight with

Skyworks Helicopters is where your feet have wings. Take a heli-tour and sweep up in style with views of Matakana, Omaha and Tawharanui, Scandrett and Mahurangi Regional Parks before landing at your choice of vineyard for tastings and brunch.

• Matakana Wine Trail Map PDF