Vineyards Honey & Black Sand Beach Tour

Vineyards Honey & Black Sand Beach Tour
From NZD $285.00
  • Duration: 6 Hours (approx.)
  • Location: Auckland, New Zealand
  • Product code: VHBSB

Visit the winery of historic Kumeu River Wines owned and operated by the Brajkovich family. Pioneers in New Zealand winemaking since 1944 they specialize in producing Estate Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer, Merlot and Pinot Noir only from grapes grown on their own ten Kumeu and Huapai Vineyards. Mate's barrique fermented Chardonnay is considered one of the best wines in the country. After gaining his bachelors degree in Oenological Science in Australia the wine maker Michael Brajkovich MW became New Zealand’s first Master of Wine and is the current Chief Judge of the Air New Zealand Wine Competition.

Next try the wines at family owned Soljans Estate and take an open menu one course lunch with a glass of wine from the extensive menu at "Soljans Vineyard Cafe"  Try a range of native flora Honeys including Rewarewa, Alpine Blue Borage and Pohutakawa. Then try some Manuka UMF 10 honey. This special honey is made from the native NZ Tea Tree ( Sperma Scoparium ) and contains the powerful antibiotic Methyglyoxal. This particular honey is unique to New Zealand and comes with 20 years of University research into this extraordinary phenomenon.

After lunch relax with a side trip through beautiful traditional rolling sheep and cattle country to visit the Muriwai black sand beach. See the rugged West Coast & regional Park meeting the Tasman Sea.

See green rolling hills & stunning farmland. See Gannets in the distance nesting and flying over rock outcrops and black sand beaches. (please note the Gannet lookouts are are still currently inaccessible due to damage caused by the cyclone  Gabrielle in February 2023.)

 In the afternoon visit West Brook Wines for a generous selection of varietals and blends in the cellar door shop. West Brook Wines is a family owned wine company established in 1935 in New Zealand and produce excellent Waimauku Estate and Marlborough award winning Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Rose`, Pinot Noir and Malbec. The Wine maker James Rowan is a multi award winning wine maker.