It was a cool morning when we anchored in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand last April. Even though our visit on a cruise ship, with limited time in port, I managed to gain first-hand insights into Northland (Bay of Islands) wine country. Hence our wine stops required some careful advance planning on my part to maximize our wine country explorations. Upon arrival we were anxious to get ashore for a Bay of Islands Wine Tour. We had come to enjoy wine country in the land of hobbit!
Bay of Islands, New Zealand © SpaswinefoodNew Zealand wine country has been on my list for awhile. In case you are wondering New Zealand has eleven wine regions, with each being divided into sub-regions.
North Island’s main regions: Northland, Auckland, Waitkato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Wairarapa (Martinborough).
South Island’s main regions: Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury/Waipara Valley, and Central Otago.
The vineyards are mostly found on the eastern coastlines of New Zealand. The growing conditions in New Zealand’s vineyards are influenced by its maritime climate. These influences certainly play an important role in the North Island's Northland region, our first wine country stop in New Zealand.
Welcome to Northland in New Zealand’s Wine Country
Our first New Zealand wine country travels took us to Northland (NI), which has a sub-tropical climate. Northland wineries can be found in areas, such as Mangawhai, Whangarei, Bay of Islands, and Kerikeri. Northland is not only the oldest, but is also the warmest wine growing region in New Zealand. Warm spring temperatures, hot dry summers, and calm, clear autumn days mean fruit ripens early, creating full-bodied, rich and generous wine. It is home to a wide range of grape varieties, with the main grape varieties being Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Syrah, and many more are successfully grown. Two-hundred years after Samuel Marsden planted New Zealand’s first grapevines, Northland winegrowers are still searching for the perfect combination of soil, grape variety, and climate. From Karikari in the north, to Mangawhai in the south, each Northland vineyard is considered unique in terms of soil, and micro-climate.
Given our limited time in port we were only able to Northland's Bay of Islands where we chose to do a wine tour.
Bay of Islands Wine Region
The Bay of Islands is a tender port; so we arrived by water shuttle at the Waitangi Wharf. Upon arrival in Waitangi given we had pre-booked a wine tour we were met and directed to their transport. The Bay of Islands Wine Tour staff were great host. They took us to Marsden Estate and Sovrano Estate for wine tasting, and Phat House Brewery for a craft beer tasting.
Marsden Estate
Marsden Estate, our very first stop in the Bay of Islands was the perfect intro to this wine region.
Marsden Estate © Spaswinefood
Upon arrival at the winery we were seated, served a charcuterie platter, and introduced to six of their wines.
Marsden Estate, Pinot Gris, Bay of Islands 2022
Marsden Estate, Pinot Gris, Bay of Islands 2022 © Spaswinefood
Marsden Estate, Chambourcin, Bay of Islands 2021 © Spaswinefood
We so enjoyed our very first tasting in New Zealand at Marsden Estate.
Marsden Estate, Bay of Islands © Spaswinefood
Because we were visiting New Zealand in their Fall season it meant that the harvest had already been completed.
We saw fall time foliage on the vines.
Sovrano Estate
When we arrived at Sovrano Estate it was quite busy with a large group. We did however, get to taste their wines.
Sovrano Estate © Spaswinefood
Amongst the wines we tasted were a Sauvignon Blanc Vermintino blend, an organic red wine blend, and a Reserve Chambroucin.Sovrano Estate, Sauvignon Blanc Fermentino 2022
Sovrano Estate, Reserve Charbourcin 20
Sovrano Estate, Reserve Charbourcin © Spaswinefood
This was the second Charbourcin wine that we tasted. Chambourcin is a very productive grape with high crop yields, which has good resistance to fungal diseases. This was not my first encounter with this grape, given it is widely planted in parts of the US and Canada. Hence, it is not surprising to find it planted in New Zealand's Northland Region, New South Wales’s Hunter Valley Region, and other warm, humid regions in Australia; also in France and Portugal. This French-American hybrid grape variety, has been available since 1963. The hybrid was produced by Joannes Seyve who used Seibel hybrids created in the 1860s.
On my way out that day I did manage to take a quick look at the fall foliage at Sorano Estate.
Fall Colors, Sovrano Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Obviously, the timing of our visit meant it was a great time to observe the fall foliage at both wineries.
Phat House Brewery
Phat House Brewery © SpaswinefoodOur final stop, Phat House Brewery offered us a paddle of craft beer to taste. We each selected four beers to taste.
Phat House Brewery © Spaswinefood
Beer Tasting, Phat House Brewery © Spaswinefood
Here's to Beer Tasting, Phat House Brewery © Spaswinefood
Learning about the brewery, and selecting four of their craft beers to taste, was a fun finale to our tour of Bay of Islands Wine Country.
After visiting two wineries and one brewery it was time to head back to the ship. The Waitangi Wharf Bay of Islands Yacht Club facilities are open to cruise visitors. The club provides restroom facilities, a small cafe with offerings of homemade wares, hot and cold drinks, and spectacular views of ships anchored in the Bay. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to visit the yacht club. We did however, enjoy our introduction to Bay of Islands Wine Country. In terms of wine insights I left obviously with many questions and ideas to explore later. For sure visiting Northland wine country while cruising the New Zealand's coast has inspired me to learn more, and enhanced my desire for future wine travels in the South Island. I invite you to join me in my travels in New Zealand and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I look forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations in New Zealand.
Sharon
April 2024
For free independent travelers to New Zealand's Bay of Islands complimentary shuttle buses are available for the short 5 minute trip into Paihia, which is the hub of Bay of Islands activities. Alternatively you may chose to walk around the waterfront to Paihia, a beautiful 20-25 minute walk. Ambassadors in Waitangi will be happy to provide you with information and offer you a map of the area.
The shuttle buses run continuously between Paihia and Waitangi for the duration of cruise ship's visit to the Bay of Islands. The shuttles also stop at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds which is the scene of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi New Zealand’s founding document and is a must see.
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