Among many of New Zealand’s alluring qualities, most foodie families know it’s a must visit for wine tasting vacations. New Zealand’s sub-tropic climate and diverse landscape allow for a variety of grapes and winemaking styles throughout the country, resulting in a vast selection of wines — all the more reason to book a family trip and prepare to traverse the varied landscape in search of your new favorite vineyard.
Mission Estate, located in Napier on the North Island, is New Zealand’s oldest winery. Built in the 1800s by French missionaries, Mission Estate boasts beautiful views, historic architecture, sustainable grape growing practices and fine wines. Mission Estate Winery offers a wide variety of flavors, from Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet to Gewürztraminer, Rosé and Syrah. Enjoy a tour through the barrel room and find a table overlooking the vineyard where your family can sit, sip and look out over the rolling estate.
Enjoy breathtaking views along the northern coast of New Zealand’s South Island at Cloudy Bay Winery. The island lifestyle is a vital aspect of this Marlborough estate and great for families who enjoy daily sailing excursions and sprawling vineyards along the coast.
Cloudy Bay Winery’s second estate, Central Otago, is located on the southernmost point of New Zealand. Central Otago’s inland setting boasts rugged, rural influences producing complicated wines such as Te Wahi Pinot Noir. Test the true wine lovers in the family and see if they can taste the unique smoky flavors and feel the velvety texture.
A vineyard near the lake in Wanaka, New Zealand. Photo: Neutronman | Dreamstime.com
There are so many different regions for wine tasting in New Zealand, your family will be hard-pressed to hit even half on your visit to the island country. For adventure tourism, beach activities, endless natural beauty and wine tasting tours, Waiheke Island is a must.
Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard is a great place to begin, as they get an earlier start than most, at 10 a.m. Check out the cellar on a tour in the early afternoon or head over later for a beautiful lunch at the restaurant.
Tantalus Estate is another great scenic stop on the island where you and the family can enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the fine wine-making process, or just enjoy the fruits of the maker’s labor.
With so many estates in each different wine region, wine-drinking families are guaranteed a greater variety than most locales. No matter how literate your family is in wine, the incredible views and climate lifestyle of New Zealand’s wine regions make this a must-visit destination for anyone who can appreciate the craft.
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