THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Taste three family-run vineyards in West Auckland over a six-hour private tour with a seasonal lunch at The Hunting Lodge. Learn local winemaking history, enjoy cellar-door tours, and sip celebrated Kumeu River Chardonnays while taking in vineyard views.
Taste three family-run vineyards in West Auckland over a six-hour private tour with a seasonal lunch at The Hunting Lodge. Learn local winemaking history, enjoy cellar-door tours, and sip celebrated Kumeu River Chardonnays while taking in vineyard views.
You step off the van on a low-rolling ridge and the air tastes faintly of ripening grapes and cut grass. Vines march away in neat rows, and sunlight picks out the pale gold of Chardonnay clusters at Kumeu River; elsewhere, stone walls and an old villa at The Hunting Lodge keep watch over table settings warmed by a glass of local wine.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Waiheke Wine Tours Ltd · Auckland, Auckland
You step off the van on a low-rolling ridge and the air tastes faintly of ripening grapes and cut grass. Vines march away in neat rows, and sunlight picks out the pale gold of Chardonnay clusters at Kumeu River; elsewhere, stone walls and an old villa at The Hunting Lodge keep watch over table settings warmed by a glass of local wine.
West Auckland’s wine country grew alongside waves of immigrants from Dalmatia in the early 20th century. Families like the Ivicićs established small, durable estates in soils of clay-loam perched above ancient river terraces — geology that drains well and concentrates flavors in the fruit. Kumeu River made a name for world-class Chardonnays; Soljans traces one of the country’s longest continuous family histories in wine; Hunting Lodge celebrates seasonal, pasture-to-plate cooking that pairs with nearby vineyards.
Expect three cellar-door stops across roughly six hours: an introductory tasting and vineyard view in Waimauku, a relaxed multi-course lunch with a glass at The Hunting Lodge, and a focused cellar tour at Kumeu River, plus Soljans’ historic grounds. Walks are short and flat but may include grass or gravel; most time is spent sampling and learning about winemaking and local food.
Practical notes: bring photo ID, wear comfortable shoes for uneven surfaces, and plan transport if you intend to drink beyond the included tastings. Bookings often include pick-up options from central Auckland—confirm your pickup point when reserving. This is an accessible, low-intensity day curated for food-and-wine enthusiasts who want a grounded taste of West Auckland’s viticultural heritage.
easy.
6 hours.
Light activity; suitable for most fitness levels since walking is minimal and mostly on flat ground
No; tastings are for guests aged 18 and over and the tour is structured for adults only.
Pickup options are typically available—confirm your pickup point at booking (the tour requests pickup details).
Transport, tastings at three vineyards, a multi-course lunch with a glass of wine, and a small tour at Kumeu River are included.
Yes; the tour notes wheelchair-accessible transportation and surfaces, but confirm any specific needs in advance.
Many West Auckland vineyards were established by Croatian immigrant families in the early 1900s; Matua Valley and nearby sites were pivotal in early New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc production in the 1970s.
Local vineyards emphasize small-scale stewardship and seasonal produce; visitors can support sustainable practices by minimizing waste and following cellar-door guidance on vine care.
Waiheke Wine Tours Ltd operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step off the van on a low-rolling ridge and the air tastes faintly of ripening grapes and cut grass. Vines march away in neat rows, and sunlight picks out the pale gold of Chardonnay clusters at Kumeu River; elsewhere, stone walls and an old villa at The Hunting Lodge keep watch over table settings warmed by a glass of local wine.
You step off the van on a low-rolling ridge and the air tastes faintly of ripening grapes and cut grass. Vines march away in neat rows, and sunlight picks out the pale gold of Chardonnay clusters at Kumeu River; elsewhere, stone walls and an old villa at The Hunting Lodge keep watch over table settings warmed by a glass of local wine.
West Auckland’s wine country grew alongside waves of immigrants from Dalmatia in the early 20th century. Families like the Ivicićs established small, durable estates in soils of clay-loam perched above ancient river terraces — geology that drains well and concentrates flavors in the fruit. Kumeu River made a name for world-class Chardonnays; Soljans traces one of the country’s longest continuous family histories in wine; Hunting Lodge celebrates seasonal, pasture-to-plate cooking that pairs with nearby vineyards.
Expect three cellar-door stops across roughly six hours: an introductory tasting and vineyard view in Waimauku, a relaxed multi-course lunch with a glass at The Hunting Lodge, and a focused cellar tour at Kumeu River, plus Soljans’ historic grounds. Walks are short and flat but may include grass or gravel; most time is spent sampling and learning about winemaking and local food.
Practical notes: bring photo ID, wear comfortable shoes for uneven surfaces, and plan transport if you intend to drink beyond the included tastings. Bookings often include pick-up options from central Auckland—confirm your pickup point when reserving. This is an accessible, low-intensity day curated for food-and-wine enthusiasts who want a grounded taste of West Auckland’s viticultural heritage.