Hawke's Bay
New Zealand's red-wine answer to its Sauvignon Blanc fame.
Hawke's Bay: the home of Syrah and Bordeaux blends
New Zealand is known for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but Hawke's Bay on the North Island is where it makes its best reds. Warm and sunny, it grows elegant Syrah and ripe Bordeaux blends, along with serious Chardonnay, and the art-deco city of Napier gives the trip a distinctive base.
The wines
Syrah here is peppery and refined, closer to the northern Rhône than to Australia. The gravelly Gimblett Gravels sub-region makes the best Cabernet and Merlot blends, and the Chardonnay is among the country's finest.
Where to go
Napier, rebuilt in art-deco style after a 1931 earthquake, is the base. The Gimblett Gravels and surrounding districts hold the top wineries, many an easy cycle or short drive from town.
Eat
The region is a food basket of orchards and farms, with a growing restaurant scene. Syrah with lamb and Chardonnay with the local seafood are natural pairings.
Getting there
Fly into Napier from Auckland or Wellington, then drive or cycle to the wineries, many of which sit close together on the plains.
Know the wine before you go.
The app teaches you Syrah and Bordeaux blends in five minutes, then helps you order it with confidence. Learn the grape, then come back and plan the trip.
Hawke's Bay wine tours & tastings
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Hawke's Bay, quick answers.
What wine is Hawke's Bay known for?
Its best reds in New Zealand: elegant Syrah and Bordeaux-style Cabernet and Merlot blends, plus high-quality Chardonnay.
What are the Gimblett Gravels?
A distinctive gravelly sub-region of Hawke's Bay, prized for ripening Syrah and Bordeaux varieties to their best.
Is Hawke's Bay easy to get around?
Yes. Many wineries sit close together on flat land near Napier, and cycling between cellar doors is popular.
