Your Winter Guide to savouring Hawke's Bay

When it comes to winter delights, Hawke's Bay has a taste to please all manner of palates. Take inspiration from our definitive guide to the region this season, and we'll see you soon in New Zealand's Food and Wine Country.

Food and wine

Tasting note: Generous hospitality produces a lively finish, best enjoyed with friends.

Hawke's Bay's wineries are an iconic component of nearly every visit - and for good reason. The region is home to New Zealand's oldest winery, as well as Australasia's best! But the urban culinary experience is snapping at its heels, with Napier city, Hastings city and Havelock North all home to an increasingly impressive array of cool cocktail bars, bustling bistros and trendy taprooms.

Monica Loves, Napier city

Retreat and glamping accommodation

Tasting note: Notes of smoke and graphite deliver a memorable evening with a long finish.

With a well-earned reputation for stunning retreats and boutique accommodation, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Hawke's Bay is a haven for glamping. You and someone special, a flickering fire and a glass of Hawke's Bay red wine, delicious local produce and endless nature. How's the serenity? So much serenity.

Poplars 3, Black Barn Retreats, Hastings District

Mountain biking

Tasting note: Full bodied adrenaline combines with an underlying note of fear.

You're never far from a quality ride, wherever you find yourself in Hawke's Bay. With dedicated mountain bike trails in Wairoa District, Hastings District (close to Napier), Havelock North, and Central Hawke's Bay, Hawke’s Bay is well-served to cater for riders of all abilities.

Tukituki Trail, Central Hawke's Bay

Events

Tasting note: A heady combination of vibrancy and full-bodied expression, delivering a lively evening with a long finish.

Winter in Hawke's Bay is home to a series of eagerly anticipated events, starting with Winter F.A.W.C! The winter edition of the long-standing F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic brings more than 40+ culinary events to stunning venues across the region. Mid-late June sees the arrival of Matariki and a host of celebrations across Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke's Bay). Come July, Winter Deco Weekend brings the glam of the the 1930s back into focus with boutique celebrations across Napier. Catch the full seasonal events line-up in our What's On Guide.

Winter Deco Weekend, Napier

Golf

Tasting note: Outstanding concentration and intensity combine with an underlying hint of frustration. Lost opportunities linger on the finish.

From the world-class Cape Kidnappers to a choice of championship courses, or the challenge of some spectacular rural courses, there is a course for every skill level. Tee off in Hawke's Bay - the weather's great and courses are in tip-top shape all year round.

Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, Hastings District

Cycle trails

Tasting note: Easy to enjoy, with scenic notes and great length, the perfect accompaniment to a long weekend.

The Hawke’s Bay Trails boast 200km of flat, easy-riding cycle trails across Napier and Hastings District, connecting local delights with expansive views and landscapes. The mostly off-road limestone trails are also ideal for year-round riding. Not to be outdone, both Central Hawke's Bay and Wairoa have their own network of easy-riding cycle trails, which makes Hawke's Bay a top-drawer region to explore by bike.

Landscapes Ride on the Hawke's Bay Trails

Surfing

Tasting note: Perfect concentration, restraint and balance combine to produce a finish with excellent length.

With a mix of well-known waves and hidden gems, easy to access river bars and remote shore breaks accessed through classic New Zealand countryside, Hawke’s Bay may well be one of the most underrated surfing destinations in the country. Don't forget your steamer for the cooler winter waters!