Kumeu Wine Country Tour from Auckland: 3 Wineries & Lunch

Taste three generations of Croatian winemaking without leaving your seat

A small-group wine tour from Auckland to Kumeu Wine Country, New Zealand's heritage wine region, with tastings at three award-winning wineries, lunch at a contemporary vineyard restaurant, and a stop at Muriwai Beach. The Brajkovich and other founding families still run the wineries they established in the 1930s and 1940s, producing world-renowned Chardonnay and bottle-fermented sparkling wines. Hotel pickup from inner-city Auckland is included, and the tour runs five hours, Monday to Saturday.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kumeu Wine Country tour and tastings

• Depart Auckland city northwest
• Visit Soljans Vineyard for lunch and tasting
• Drive to Kumeu River Winery for tasting
• Visit Muriwai Beach for views and gannets
• Final tasting at West Brook Winery

The experience

The wineries of Kumeu date back to the 1930s, when Croatian families arrived and planted vines that still produce some of New Zealand's most awarded wines. Your first stop is Soljans Vineyard, where you'll have lunch and a wine tasting at their restaurant: a sun-filled space serving Mediterranean-style food with a New Zealand twist, built around seasonal produce from the region. Soljans is widely recognized for their methode traditionelle sparkling wines, the bottle-fermented style that takes years to perfect.

From there, a short drive takes you to Kumeu River, the winery the Brajkovich family set up in the 1940s and still runs today. Michael Brajkovich was New Zealand's first Master of Wine, and the vineyard is known worldwide for their Chardonnay. All their grapes are hand-harvested. Your final tasting is at West Brook Winery, where the cellar door overlooks a duck pond and terraced vines, and the wines reflect the region's unique character. Between tastings, you'll stop at Muriwai Beach to see the black sands and watch gannets in the distance: a rugged contrast to the vineyard landscape.

Your driver and guide provide live commentary throughout the five-hour tour, and hotel pickup from inner-city Auckland is included, so you don't need a car or navigate the roads yourself. The tour runs Monday to Saturday, and the specific wineries may rotate depending on the day you travel. Minimum age is 12, and the tour requires at least two adults to depart.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected inner-city Auckland accommodation.
• wine tastings at three award-winning wineries.
• lunch at Soljans Vineyard restaurant.
• live guide commentary throughout the tour.
• driver and all transport between stops.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 12:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bush and Beach

Is this one for you?The tour departs from your Auckland hotel, so you don't need a rental car or knowledge of the roads to Kumeu. The driver handles navigation and the timing, and you arrive at each winery ready to taste. This works well if you're staying in central Auckland without a car, or if you'd rather not drive after wine tastings.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What makes Kumeu Wine Country different from other wine regions in New Zealand?

Kumeu is Auckland's heritage wine region, established by Croatian families in the 1930s and 1940s who are still living and working there today. The wineries are known worldwide for their Chardonnay and bottle-fermented sparkling wines, and they sit near the rugged, surf-fringed coastline, which is unusual for a wine region.

Do I get lunch included on this tour, or do I need to bring my own?

Lunch is included at Soljans Vineyard restaurant, where you'll eat Mediterranean-style food with a New Zealand twist, made from seasonal produce. The lunch is part of your first wine tasting stop.

How many wineries do we visit, and what will I taste at each one?

You visit three award-winning wineries: Soljans (known for sparkling wines), Kumeu River (famous for Chardonnay), and West Brook (premium wines with numerous awards). The specific wineries may change depending on the day of the week, but you'll have a tasting at each stop.

Does the tour include hotel pickup, or do I need to get to a meeting point?

Hotel pickup from selected inner-city Auckland accommodation is included, so you'll be collected and dropped off at your hotel. The tour departs from Auckland and heads northwest to Kumeu Wine Country.

What is Muriwai Beach, and why do we stop there?

Muriwai Beach is a black-sand surf beach near the wineries where you can see gannets flying in the distance and enjoy views of the rugged coastline. It's a short stop between wine tastings that shows the dramatic landscape surrounding the vineyard region.

Is this tour suitable if I don't drink alcohol, or if I'm under 18?

The tour is for ages 12 and up, but it is built around wine tastings at three wineries, so it is designed for people who want to taste wine. If you have concerns about the focus or your comfort with the itinerary, contact the operator before booking.