Auckland was one of New Zealand's original wine regions, established by European immigrants in the late 19th century.

	Experience winning wines at the Waiheke Island Wine Festival.
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History

The Croatians, who came to New Zealand to work in the kauri gumfields of the far north, later moved to West Auckland, where some of those early vineyards (such as Babich and Delegat's) still exist. New Zealand's three biggest wine companies – Montana, Nobilo and Villa Maria – are all of Croatian origin.

Testing climate

It is too wet to grow grapes easily in Auckland, but one of the region's advantages is its warmth. Red-wine grapes, such as cabernet sauvignon and merlot, produce mouthfilling, earthy, spicy reds.

Today Auckland has only four per cent of the country's vineyard area, but over 20% of the winemaking companies are based here.

Auckland wineries pull in grapes from all over the country, so it's like taking a New Zealand wine trail without leaving the city. You can get a taste of just about the whole country in Auckland wines.

One notable exception is Kumeu River, known around the world for its superb chardonnays made with estate-grown grapes.

In the past couple of decades, new sub-regions have emerged, notably Waiheke Island, famous for its claret-style reds; Matakana, north of the city; and Clevedon, south of Auckland.

Island vines

Waiheke is the glamour destination for wine buffs. When you fly over in a helicopter, this island in the Hauraki Gulf is dotted with tiny olive groves and vineyards. For a delightful day's outing, catch the ferry from downtown Auckland and explore Waiheke's vineyards and cafes. There are plenty of organised tours. Some of the newer wineries have fantastic restaurants, especially Mudbrick and Te Whau.

Stunning Matakana

Matakana, an hour's drive north along the east coast, boasts stunning countryside and beaches. Merlot, syrah (shiraz), chardonnay and pinot gris are all successful. The Spanish mission-style Ascension winery operates a hugely popular restaurant, and at Heron's Flight you can taste a rare example of New Zealand sangiovese (the great grape of Chianti.)

Historic West Auckland

Serious wine tourists should head to Kumeu, base of the highly rated Kumeu River, Coopers Creek, Nobilo and Matua Valley wineries.

A place often overlooked is West Brook, where they make consistently excellent wine in a tranquil setting. Take a picnic and get the true flavour of Auckland's warm, green countryside and distinctive wines.