Auckland winery tour: Kumeu tastings and Muriwai Beach

Taste wines made in French oak, then walk black sand where gannets nest

A full-day winery tour from Auckland visiting two established vineyards in Kumeu wine country, with tastings, a one-course lunch at Soljans Vineyard Restaurant, a stop at Muriwai Beach on the west coast, and a final wine or beer board at The Hunting Lodge. The tour runs Monday to Friday, includes hotel pickup, transport by minivan, and a local English-speaking guide. Lunch costs and beverages are at your own expense.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wine tasting and coastal visit

• Tour and taste at Kumeu River Wines
• Taste wines and lunch at Soljans Vineyard
• Visit Muriwai black sand beach settlement
• Enjoy wine or beer board at Hunting Lodge
• Taste samples of Manuka honeys

The experience

The day starts with pickup from selected Auckland hotels and a drive to Kumeu River Wines, where you'll see how the winemakers ferment their wines in 225-litre French Burgundian barriques. The vineyard has been operating since 1944 and focuses on estate wines (Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Merlot and Pinot Noir) all from grapes grown on their own ten vineyards in Kumeu and Huapai. You'll taste a selection of reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines, plus their 10-year-aged Tawny Port and vintage Methode Traditionelle.

From there, you move to Soljans Vineyard Restaurant, established in 1937, where an hour and fifteen minutes is set aside for a one-course lunch from their open menu. Vegetarian options are available, though the cost of food and any drinks you order are separate from the tour price. The vineyard sits in rolling farmland, and the restaurant gives you time to sit and eat without rushing.

Next is a side trip to Muriwai Beach, a black sand settlement on the west coast known for its dramatic coastal views and a nesting gannet sea bird colony. The stop includes time to take in the views up the coastline and watch the birds (note: gannets are migratory and absent from May to July). From there, the tour finishes at The Hunting Lodge Winery, a modern country venue where you'll receive either a wine board with four Hunting Lodge wines or a beer board with four artisan or local craft beers, depending on your preference.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected hotels.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• behind-the-scenes tour and tastings at Kumeu River Wines.
• wine and port tastings at Soljans Vineyard Restaurant.
• one-course lunch allocation at Soljans (food and drinks at your own cost).
• Muriwai Beach stop with gannet colony views.
• wine or beer board at The Hunting Lodge.
• bottled water.
• national park fees.
• local taxes.
• local English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 37 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by NZWINEPRO - Auckland Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guided winery tour with lunch included at your own pace. You'll visit two established vineyards with a behind-the-scenes look at production, but you'll pay separately for food and drinks at the restaurant.

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Top questions

What exactly do I taste at Kumeu River Wines?

Kumeu River Wines offers tastings of reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines made on their estate, plus their 10-year-aged Tawny Port and vintage Methode Traditionelle. The winery has specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Merlot and Pinot Noir since 1944, all from grapes grown on their own vineyards in Kumeu and Huapai.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. An hour and fifteen minutes is allocated for a one-course meal at Soljans Vineyard Restaurant, where you choose from their open menu with vegetarian options available, but you pay for your food and any drinks separately.

What happens at Muriwai Beach?

Muriwai Beach is a west coast black sand settlement where the tour stops for views up the coastline and a visit to see the nesting gannet sea bird colony. The gannets are migratory birds and are not present from May to July, so timing affects what you'll see.

What's included in the wine or beer board at The Hunting Lodge?

The Hunting Lodge provides either a wine board with four Hunting Lodge wines or a beer board with four artisan or local craft beers, depending on which you choose. This is included in the tour price.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected Auckland hotels. Transport is by air-conditioned minivan with a local English-speaking guide throughout the day.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs for approximately six hours, including time at two wineries, lunch at the vineyard restaurant, the beach stop, and the final wine or beer board at The Hunting Lodge.