Kumeu Wine Tour from Auckland: Wineries, food and Muriwai Beach

Taste Kumeu's Chardonnays and Pinot Gris, then walk the cliffs where gannets ride the wind

A full-day wine tour from Auckland that visits three carefully selected Kumeu wineries for tastings paired with food, includes a leisurely lunch at The Hunting Lodge, and finishes in the rolling countryside of Muriwai. From August to March, the tour stops at the Gannet Colony where around 1,200 pairs of gannets nest on the cliffs above the black-sand beach. Hotel pickup is included. Minimum age is 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kumeu Wine Country45m · entry included
2. Muriwai Beach30m · entry included

Kumeu wine tasting and Muriwai visit

• Visit Soljan’s Winery
• Wine tasting at The Hunting Lodge
• Enjoy lunch at The Hunting Lodge Lawn Bar
• Visit Kumeu River Winery
• Explore Muriwai Gannet Colony and beach
• Optional tasting at Hallertau Brewery

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Auckland hotel and a drive west into Kumeu Wine Country. Your first stop is Soljan's Estate Winery, a family operation that has been making wine for over 80 years. You'll taste their estate-grown Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Pinotage (varieties that thrive in Kumeu's clay soils), and see how the winery blends modern technology with traditional methods, including hand-made 65-year-old totara barrels used to age their Founders Tawny Port.

Lunch happens at The Hunting Lodge, a casual dining spot built around the Lawn Bar, an outdoor space where you can sit and take your time. The share-style menu brings generous charcuterie boards with cheeses and cured meats, alongside freshly made pizzas with a range of toppings: all included in the tour price and paired with wines from the estate. This is where the pace slows: there's no rush between tastings, and the social atmosphere is built into the stop itself.

After lunch, the tour moves to Kumeu River Winery, world-renowned for Chardonnays that compare to top white Burgundies. You'll taste their range of estate and single-vineyard expressions, and may also sample their sparkling wines made in the traditional méthode with extended ageing. Then comes the shift to landscape: the tour heads through rolling countryside toward Muriwai. From August to March, you'll visit the Gannet Colony, where around 1,200 pairs of gannets nest on the rugged cliffs and two vertical-sided islands. Their two-meter wingspans master the onshore updrafts above the black-sand beach that stretches 60 kilometers along the coast: a wild West Auckland experience that sits outside the usual wine-tour itinerary. The day ends with the drive back to the city.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Auckland.
• wine tastings at three Kumeu wineries (Soljan's Estate, The Hunting Lodge, and Kumeu River).
• share-style lunch with charcuterie boards and pizzas at The Hunting Lodge.
• all wine pairings throughout the day.
• seasonal access to Muriwai Beach and the Gannet Colony (August to March).
• live English-speaking guide for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday and WednesdayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 11

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Coast To Coast Tours Limited

Is this one for you?The four- to six-hour timeframe leaves room to linger over tastings and lunch without eating up the rest of your day, and the addition of Muriwai's cliffs and black-sand beach means you're not spending the whole tour indoors at wineries: the landscape changes halfway through, which is what makes this different from a wine-focused itinerary alone.

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Top questions

What wines will I taste on the Kumeu Wine Tour?

You'll taste wines from three wineries: Soljan's Estate offers Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Pinotage; The Hunting Lodge features elegant Chardonnays, vibrant Pinot Gris, refreshing Rosé, and smooth reds; and Kumeu River showcases their world-renowned Chardonnays and sparkling wines made in the traditional méthode. All tastings are included in the tour price.

Is the Gannet Colony visit guaranteed on every tour?

The Gannet Colony is part of the itinerary from August to March, when around 1,200 pairs of gannets nest on the cliffs. Outside those months, the tour still visits Muriwai Beach and the surrounding countryside, but the bird colony is not accessible.

What's included in the lunch at The Hunting Lodge?

Lunch at The Hunting Lodge includes share-style charcuterie boards with cheeses and cured meats, and freshly made pizzas with a variety of toppings. All food and wine pairings at lunch are included in the tour price.

How long is the full tour, and what time does it start?

The tour runs between four and six hours depending on the season and how long you spend at each stop. Hotel pickup is included, and a live English-speaking guide leads the group throughout the day.

Can I visit the Hallertau Brewery at the end of the tour?

Hallertau Brewery is offered as an optional final stop at your own expense. If you'd like to add a craft beer or gin tasting, let your guide know at lunchtime so they can arrange it.

What's the minimum age requirement for this tour?

The minimum age is 18. Service animals are allowed on the tour.