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Travel Guides · New Zealand · Updated 2026 · 10 min read
Hawke’s Bay is the oldest wine region in New Zealand and the second largest, and Hastings sits right in the middle of it. The best wineries in Hawke’s Bay are almost all within a short drive of the city, gathered into a few distinct pockets of land. This is red wine country above all, built on old riverbeds that hold the day’s heat late into the night.
The pleasure here is how relaxed it all is. Cellar doors are welcoming rather than formal, and many pair their wines with long lunches and homegrown food. You can taste world-class syrah in the morning and still be back for dinner in town.
This guide covers the wineries worth planning a day around, grouped by the areas they sit in. A note first. The 2023 cyclone hit some vineyards hard, and most have recovered well, though hours and menus can change, so it is worth booking ahead.
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The Best Wineries in Hawke’s Bay Near Hastings
The best wineries in Hawke’s Bay near Hastings fall into three main areas. The Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa Triangle sit inland, west of the city, and grow the region’s finest reds. Havelock North holds the historic estates beneath Te Mata Peak. The Te Awanga coast pairs wine with sea views. Here are the ones to visit.
Craggy Range, Havelock North
Craggy Range is the showpiece of the region, and the obvious place to start. It sits directly beneath Te Mata Peak, and the setting alone is worth the drive. The cellar door is open daily, with bookings essential, and the wines range across Gimblett Gravels reds and elegant single-vineyard bottles.
The food here matches the wine. The flagship Terroir restaurant is one of the best in the country, open for lunch and dinner, with a terrace looking straight up at the peak. There is luxury accommodation on site too, if you want to make a night of it.
This is the full Hawke’s Bay experience in one stop. Book both the tasting and a table well ahead in summer.
Location: 253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North · Open: daily, 10:30am to 5pm · Best for: flagship wines and fine dining.
Te Mata Estate, Havelock North
If Craggy Range is the showpiece, Te Mata is the old master. It is one of the oldest wineries in the country, with more than a century of winemaking behind it. Its Coleraine, a Bordeaux-style red, is among the most celebrated wines New Zealand produces.
The cellar door is understated and serious, focused on the wine rather than the frills. This is a stop for people who want to taste history in the glass. It sits close to the village, so it pairs easily with the others nearby.
Location: Havelock North · Best for: iconic reds and winemaking heritage.
Trinity Hill, Gimblett Gravels
Out in the Gimblett Gravels, Trinity Hill is one of the district’s favourites. The Gravels are the region’s most famous subregion, a stretch of old stony riverbed that produces deep, full syrah and Bordeaux blends. Trinity Hill sits at its western edge and shows the style at its best.
The cellar door is generous and unpretentious, with platters to go alongside the tastings. This is the place to understand why these stones matter so much to the wine. It is an easy drive west of Hastings.
Location: Gimblett Gravels, west of Hastings · Best for: syrah and Gimblett Gravels reds.
Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North
Black Barn is the boutique all-rounder, tucked into the hills above Havelock North. It is a winery, but also a small world of its own, with a bistro, a gallery and an outdoor amphitheatre that hosts summer concerts. In summer it also runs a well-loved growers’ market.
The wines are good and the setting is lovely, all rolling vines and country charm. It is the kind of place you arrive at for a tasting and end up staying for lunch. Check what is on before you visit, as the events are part of the draw.
Location: Havelock North · Best for: a relaxed day, food and summer events.
Elephant Hill, Te Awanga
Out on the Te Awanga coast, Elephant Hill is the most striking winery to look at. Its modern architecture sits right by the sea, with vines running down toward the water and Cape Kidnappers in the distance. The wines draw on vineyards across the Gravels, Bridge Pa and the coast.
It is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. The estate is open for tastings, and at the time of writing the restaurant is serving platters rather than a full menu, so check ahead. Either way, the view does much of the work.
Location: 86 Clifton Road, Te Awanga · Best for: coastal views and architecture.
Clearview Estate, Te Awanga
Just along the coast, Clearview is the warm, rustic counterpart to Elephant Hill. It is a long-running estate with a shaded courtyard, big platters and a relaxed lunch scene right near the beach. The reds are rich and the whole place runs at holiday pace.
This is a long-lunch winery more than a quick-tasting one. Settle in, order food, and let the afternoon stretch. It pairs naturally with a morning at Cape Kidnappers just up the road.
Location: Te Awanga coast · Best for: long lunches near the sea.
Sileni Estates, Bridge Pa
In the Bridge Pa Triangle, Sileni is one of the larger and better-known cellar doors. The Bridge Pa area sits on red metal soils and grows fine reds and aromatic whites. Sileni is polished and well set up for visitors, with a good range to taste and food to match.
It is an easy, reliable stop, and a good introduction to the Bridge Pa style. The name is familiar from supermarket shelves, but the cellar door shows the more interesting end of what they make.
Location: Bridge Pa Triangle, west of Hastings · Best for: an easy tasting and a range of styles.
Alpha Domus, Bridge Pa
Also in Bridge Pa, Alpha Domus is a family-run winery with a quieter, more personal feel. It leans into an aviation theme, a nod to the family’s history, and pours serious reds and characterful whites. The welcome is warm and unhurried.
This is the sort of smaller cellar door that rewards a slower visit. You often end up talking to the people who make the wine. A good choice if the big names feel too busy.
Location: Bridge Pa Triangle · Best for: a personal, family-run tasting.
Te Awanga Estate, Te Awanga
Back on the coast, Te Awanga Estate is the relaxed, low-key option. It is a small estate near the water, often with a food truck and a laid-back garden setting. The wines are honest and the mood is easy, with none of the polish of the bigger rooms.
It suits a warm afternoon with no agenda. Grab a glass, find a spot in the sun, and watch the coast go by. It rounds out a Te Awanga day nicely alongside Clearview and Elephant Hill.
Location: Te Awanga coast · Best for: a casual glass in the sun.
Tips for Visiting the Wineries
Do not drink and drive. This is the first rule of any wine day here. The cellar doors are a short drive apart, so nominate a driver, hire bikes, or join a tour. You can book a Hawke’s Bay wine tour here and leave the driving to someone else.
Cycle the wine country if you can. Hawke’s Bay is flat and threaded with cycle trails, and riding between the closer vineyards is one of the best ways to do it. Bikes are easy to hire locally, and several operators handle drop-off and pickup.
Book ahead, especially for food. Craggy Range and the other winery restaurants fill fast, and some cellar doors now take bookings only. A quick call or online booking saves disappointment, particularly at weekends and in summer.
Plan two or three, not ten. The temptation is to cram in as many as possible, but the good days are slower. Pick a couple in one area, add a long lunch, and let it breathe. An insulated wine bag is worth having, as the region gets hot and you will want to carry bottles home.
Come in the right season. Late summer and autumn, from February to April, are the best months. The vines are heavy, the light is golden, and the long-table food events are at their peak. The Hawke’s Bay Wine website lists cellar doors and events across the region.
How to Get to the Wineries
The wineries sit in a ring around Hastings, mostly within twenty minutes of the city. The Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa are west, Havelock North is south, and Te Awanga is east on the coast. A car, a bike or a tour gets you between them easily.
Hawke’s Bay Airport, just north of Napier, has direct flights from the main cities and hire cars on site. If you are driving from further afield, Hastings is about five hours from Auckland and four from Wellington.
Staying in wine country is part of the appeal, and several estates offer accommodation among the vines. You can compare places to stay near the wineries here and wake up where the vines are.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best wineries in Hawke’s Bay near Hastings?
Craggy Range is the standout for its setting, wines and restaurant beneath Te Mata Peak. Te Mata Estate and Trinity Hill are the picks for serious reds, while Elephant Hill and Clearview lead the way on the Te Awanga coast. Between them they cover the best of what the region does.
What wine is Hawke’s Bay known for?
Hawke’s Bay is best known for its reds, especially syrah and Bordeaux-style blends of merlot and cabernet. The Gimblett Gravels subregion produces the most celebrated of these. The region also makes excellent chardonnay and aromatic whites.
How do you visit the wineries without driving?
The easiest options are a guided wine tour or hiring bikes to ride the cycle trails between cellar doors. Both let you taste freely without worrying about driving. Tour operators handle pickup from Hastings or Napier, and bike hire companies manage drop-off and collection.
When is the best time to visit Hawke’s Bay wineries?
Late summer and autumn, from February to April, are the best months. The grapes are on the vine, the weather is warm and settled, and the region’s food and wine events are at their peak. Cellar doors stay open year round, but this is when the bay is at its fullest.
Do you need to book Hawke’s Bay cellar doors in advance?
For tastings it is wise, and for winery restaurants it is essential. Some cellar doors, including Craggy Range, now take bookings only, and the restaurants fill quickly at weekends. A quick call or online booking ahead of time saves disappointment.
Final Thoughts
Hawke’s Bay wears its wine lightly, and that is the charm of it. The best wineries in Hawke’s Bay are world-class, but they welcome you like a long lunch rather than a lecture. Great reds, generous food and vines running to the sea.
Pick an area, book a table, and give the day room to breathe. Two good cellar doors beat six rushed ones every time. Slow down and let the region pour.
Come hungry, drink well, and stay a while.
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