Great Taste Tour: Experience Gisborne's Food & Wine Ride
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; basic cycling ability recommended with breaks between stops.
Overview
Cycle through New Zealand’s renowned Chardonnay region while sampling local wines, craft beers, and ciders on the Great Taste Tour. This self-guided ride offers stunning coastal and vineyard views alongside a light lunch and curated tastings.
Great Taste Tour • Self-guided
For All ages! • 4 Hours Approx!
Select participants and date
About This Adventure
Duration
4 Hours Approx
About
When it comes to great food and wine, Tairāwhiti Gisborne is New Zealand’s land of abundance. The expansive Pacific coastline offers plenty of seafood. The fertile lands produce a bounty of fruits and vegetables. The plains are home to grapes that yield rich flavours perfect for winemaking and apples for cider making.
Tairāwhiti Gisborne is often called the ‘Chardonnay capital of New Zealand’ – but what you may not realise is it’s the home of the oldest microbrewery in New Zealand, Sunshine Brewery and Harvest Cidery, which came about after the devastation of Cyclone Bola – we had to do something with all the apples!
This tour is the perfect trip for those who have an afternoon to spare. You will be sampling locally made wines, beers & ciders with a light lunch/platter at one of our selected sites.
The Great Taste City Cycle Tour offers easy riding, and you can choose to travel anything between 10 to 30 kilometres.
Inclusions:
- Light lunch/platter
- Three tasting sites
- Bike & helmet
More info
If you would like to add the following to your Experience, please email us for more information after completing your booking.
- A guide for the day (Enquiry Only)
- Shuttle outside city limits (Enquiry Only)
What to bring
- Comfortable riding clothes & shoes
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- A warm jacket and or raincoat
- Water bottle
Adventure Tips
Bring sunscreen and sunglasses
The East Coast sun can be strong, so protect yourself during your ride and tastings.
Wear comfortable cycling clothing
The tour involves up to 30 km of gentle cycling, so dress for both movement and changing weather.
Hydrate regularly
Carry a water bottle to stay refreshed between tastings and during the ride.
Plan for weather changes
Pack a light rain jacket as coastal weather can shift unexpectedly.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- New Zealand fantail (Pīwakawaka)
- Tūī, known for its melodic calls
History
Gisborne is the first city in the world to greet the sun each day and holds rich Māori and colonial history.
Conservation
Local producers focus on sustainable viticulture and organic food practices to protect Tairāwhiti’s fertile environment.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Gisborne
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Bike helmet
Protects your head while cycling; included in rental.
Sunglasses
Shields eyes from glare and dust on sunny days.
summer specific
Water bottle
Keeps you hydrated throughout the ride and tasting stops.
Light rain jacket
Useful for variable coastal weather and unexpected showers.
spring|fall|winter specific