clcmdse Posted July 8, 2019 #1 Share Posted July 8, 2019 We are investigating doing a wine tour in Napier when we are there in February 2020. Has anyone done one in that port? And if not there, perhaps you have one to recommend in a different port in NZ. Catherine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted July 9, 2019 #2 Share Posted July 9, 2019 I haven't done any wine touring in that area for many years but Hawkes Bay is one of NZ's premier wine regions and there are some excellent wineries there. It's probably one of the easiest ports to do a wine tour from. Are you planning on doing a ship's tour or a private tour? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted July 10, 2019 #3 Share Posted July 10, 2019 This winery in Hawkes Bay has just been voted no 11 in the world and would be well worth a visit . Craggy Range ....at the foot of the peak of Te Mata. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=12248065 when we were there we took a taxi a visited Te Mata wines , went up to the top of Te Mata , then on to the Mission Vineyard . Mission Vineyard was the first to be established in Nz , and is well worth a visit , if just for the setting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clcmdse Posted July 10, 2019 Author #4 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Thank you both for your responses. We plan to do a private tour (Oceania tours are notoriously expensive). Glad to hear that the region is among the best. Although we love wine, we are most familiar with California wines, so we are eager to learn about this region. Two local wine tours popped up in my research, but I glad to hear from David that we could just take taxis from one to another and not have to rely on an organized tour guide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted July 10, 2019 #5 Share Posted July 10, 2019 12 hours ago, clcmdse said: Two local wine tours popped up in my research, but I glad to hear from David that we could just take taxis from one to another and not have to rely on an organized tour guide Please dont rely on my comment about taxis . We were lucky and it was almost a spur of the moment chance that a taxi was available outside the Information Centre . . The taxi fleet is limited in a small town and they are kept really busy when a cruise ship arrives with an influx of 2,000 or more passengers. A private tour would be best if there are specific visits you want to make. Also the wineries will be busy and a private tour driver who knows the wineries you will visit , should be able to serve you any samples and give info , etc , if the winery staff are busy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clcmdse Posted July 11, 2019 Author #6 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Thanks David for the follow up reply. Appreciate it. Catherine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sippican Posted July 11, 2019 #7 Share Posted July 11, 2019 This gentleman operates out of Auckland but he may be able to make a recommendation for you. We can't wait to tour with him. https://www.insidertouring.co.nz/my-story/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clcmdse Posted July 11, 2019 Author #8 Share Posted July 11, 2019 This is a great suggestion, not only for possible Napier recommendations but also for Auckland. We will be there for two days at the end of our cruise. Thanks so much Catherine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leongcpa Posted August 9, 2019 #9 Share Posted August 9, 2019 On 7/11/2019 at 6:48 AM, clcmdse said: This is a great suggestion, not only for possible Napier recommendations but also for Auckland. We will be there for two days at the end of our cruise. Thanks so much Catherine Highly recommend touring the wineries (particularly, Man O War Vineyards) on Waiheke Island for one of your two days in Auckland. It's fairly easy to do: take the ferry from Auckland CBD to Waiheke and then rent a car for the day and drive around the island. It's really easy; I'm from California also, the island is pretty small and there really isn't much traffic so I felt very comfortable driving on the opposite side of the road there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted August 16, 2019 #10 Share Posted August 16, 2019 For Napier, thoroughly recommend the Black Limo bus tour. When we were there in Jan this year, we took the small group (just 6 in total) tour with and visited a wonderful winery - Askerne. We saw the sights and also visited the chocolate/fudge factory and the ice cream shop, with fresh fruit 🙂 http://www.blackroselimos.co.nz/ Cheers, Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tansy Mews Posted August 28, 2019 #11 Share Posted August 28, 2019 On 7/10/2019 at 7:54 PM, Kiwi Kruzer said: Please dont rely on my comment about taxis . We were lucky and it was almost a spur of the moment chance that a taxi was available outside the Information Centre . . The taxi fleet is limited in a small town and they are kept really busy when a cruise ship arrives with an influx of 2,000 or more passengers. A private tour would be best if there are specific visits you want to make. Also the wineries will be busy and a private tour driver who knows the wineries you will visit , should be able to serve you any samples and give info , etc , if the winery staff are busy. Just checked the port schedule. Oceania Regatta is the only ship in port on Feb 14, 2020. https://www.napierport.co.nz/quick-links/cruise-schedule/ Frances Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandThyme Posted September 1, 2019 #12 Share Posted September 1, 2019 I'll be in Napier in October on Maasdam, and have booked a winery tour through Prinsy's Tours. I found them through Trip Advisor, and am expecting a good tour with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckone Posted November 12, 2019 #13 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Prinsy has not responded to my inquiry after several days. They are off my list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geffric Posted November 20, 2019 #14 Share Posted November 20, 2019 we booked with wines and views in Napier http://www.vinesandviewswinetours.co.nz/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdavefc Posted November 22, 2019 #15 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Check out https://www.bubblygrape.co.nz/ They are fantastic. Check them out on Trip advisor and you can see the review we posted back in March 2016. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Brenda Posted December 1, 2019 #16 Share Posted December 1, 2019 Definitely visit Craggy Range and eat there too! Just awarded Two Hats for their restaurant. Our favourite but there are a lot of excellent vineyards there! We’ve used a private car service called My Chauffeur many times (google them in Hastings). They have lovely drivers and are reasonably priced and they do winery tours as well. You can book them well in advance if you want. Enjoy your trip to NZ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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