Muriwai Wine Tour: Kumeu Valley Tastings & Gannets

Native gannets nest on the rocks at Muriwai while you stand on black sand watching them rear their young.

A 3.5-hour wine tour from Auckland that takes you through Kumeu Wine Country with a guide, stopping at Soljans Estate and West Brook Wines for tastings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and other varietals, then out to Muriwai Beach to watch gannets in their natural habitat at Otakamiro Point. Transport, park fees and wine tastings are included; the tour runs year-round, though gannets are present August to May during their breeding season. Minimum age is 18 and a live English-speaking guide leads the group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wine tasting and coastal visit

• Visit Soljans Estate winery
• Enjoy cellar door tasting at West Brook Wines
• Travel to Muriwai black sand beach
• Watch native gannets at Otakamiro Point

The Experience

The tour leaves Auckland and heads west through rolling farmland into Kumeu Wine Country, where Soljans Estate—a family operation since 1937 now in its fifth generation—opens its cellar door. You'll taste their Estate Chardonnay and Pinot Gris alongside wines from other regions: Marlborough Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, Hawkes Bay Syrah and Cabernet blends, and Gisborne Sparkling Muscat. Soljans also makes Tawny Ports, which sit alongside their core range.

From there the route moves to West Brook Wines in the Waimauku Valley, established in 1935 and still family-owned. The cellar door tasting here focuses on their own vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Malbec, plus Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir from their Marlborough estates. The two wineries give you a cross-section of what the region produces without the time commitment of a full day.

The final leg takes you out through sheep and cattle country to Muriwai, a coastal village known for its black sand beaches and popular with surfers. At Otakamiro Point you watch native gannets in their natural rock outcrops—from August through May they're courting, mating and raising young before their winter migration. The lookouts here also frame views of the Tasman Sea and the rugged West Coast. The whole experience runs about 3.5 hours with your guide handling the route and commentary.

What’s included

• Transport from Auckland through Kumeu Wine Country.
• wine tastings at Soljans Estate and West Brook Wines.
• entry to Muriwai and the national park areas.
• a live English-speaking guide throughout.
• local taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by NZWINEPRO - Auckland Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste wines without handling the driving yourself, or if you're new to the region and need a guide who knows both the wineries and the coastal stops.

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Top questions

What wines do I get to taste on the Muriwai wine tour from Auckland?

You'll sample at least five varietals across the two wineries: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are the core options, though Soljans also pours Gewürztraminer, Syrah, Cabernet blends, Sparkling Muscat and Tawny Ports, and West Brook adds Malbec to their lineup.

When can I see the gannets at Muriwai on this tour?

Native gannets are present at Otakamiro Point from August through May, when they're breeding, courting and preparing their young for migration. Outside those months the rocks are still there but the birds have left for winter.

Does the tour include lunch or food?

The tour includes wine tastings and transport but no food or lunch; you'll want to eat before or after the experience.

How long is the Muriwai wine tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 3.5 hours and includes transport from Auckland, entry to the national park areas, wine tastings at both wineries, a live English-speaking guide and local taxes.

Is there a minimum age for the Muriwai wine tour?

Yes, you must be at least 18 years old to join, as wine tasting is a core part of the experience.

What's the landscape like between the wineries and Muriwai?

The route passes through rolling sheep and cattle country on the way out to the coast, giving you a sense of the rural North Island before you reach the black sand beaches and sea views at Muriwai.