Napier: Gourmet Winery Lunch & Tastings at Mission, Trinity Hill & Pask

Lunch at Mission Estate, wine tasting in Gimblett Gravels, meet local growers

You’ll share stories over lunch at Mission Estate Winery, taste wines from three Hawke’s Bay estates—including Gimblett Gravels—and hear firsthand vineyard insights from your local guide. With hotel pickup included and plenty of time to savor each stop, you’ll feel both welcomed and quietly wowed by Napier’s wine country warmth.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Napier or nearby accommodation, all entry fees for tastings at Mission Estate Winery, Trinity Hill Estate, and Pask Estate.
• a chef-prepared gourmet platter lunch with your choice of estate wine.
• cheese and biscuits provided by your guide.
• bottled water throughout.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• plus a visit to Silky Oaks Chocolates—and you’ll take home a souvenir branded glass from Mission Estate before heading back in the afternoon.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit wineries and gourmet luncheon

• Wine tasting at Mission Cellars
• Explore Mission House and cellar
• Enjoy gourmet luncheon platter
• Taste wines in Gimblett Gravels region
• Sample chocolates at Silky Oaks
• Wine tasting at Pask Estate

The Experience

Ross greeted us outside our hotel with this easy grin—he’s a retired grape grower, so right away I felt like we were in good hands. He knew everyone along the route. At Mission Estate Winery, he waved to a woman pruning roses by the old stone steps and told us she’d been working there longer than he’d been giving tours. We wandered inside and the smell—old wood mixed with something sweet, maybe fermenting grapes—hit me before I even saw the cellar.

I didn’t expect to get so into the food, honestly. The chef’s platter was just... generous: cold meats, sharp cheeses, little breads that still felt warm on the bottom. I picked a glass of their Estate Range Syrah (Ross recommended it for “people who like their reds with some backbone”—I nodded like I knew what that meant). Sitting there with sunlight coming through those huge windows, I caught myself thinking how different Hawke’s Bay feels compared to other wine regions—less showy, more like you’re visiting someone’s home for lunch.

The drive out to Gimblett Gravels was quiet except for Ross pointing out rows of vines and explaining why the stones matter for the grapes. He let us hop down on Gimblett Gravels Road and scoop up a handful of those smooth rocks—warm from the sun. At Trinity Hill and Pask Estate, we tasted whites and reds (I liked the Chardonnay best but don’t tell Ross). There was this moment at Pask where someone spilled a bit of wine and everyone laughed—it broke up that usual tasting room hush. Oh—and he handed around cheese and biscuits from his own stash in the van. Not fancy but somehow perfect after all that sipping.

We made a quick stop at Silky Oaks Chocolates—dangerous if you’ve got any self-control issues (I don’t). By late afternoon I was tired but happy, thinking about how much I’d learned just listening to Ross talk about soil and weather and all these tiny decisions that go into every bottle. It wasn’t just about drinking wine; it felt like getting let in on some local secret. Even now, when I open a New Zealand bottle back home, it kind of brings me back there for a minute.

Top questions

How many wineries do you visit on this Napier wine tour?

The tour visits three wineries: Mission Estate Winery, Trinity Hill Estate, and Pask Estate.

Is lunch included during the winery tour?

Yes, a chef's gourmet platter lunch with a glass of wine is included at Mission Estate Winery.

Does this day trip include hotel pickup in Napier?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at your accommodation are included in Napier.

Who leads the tour?

The tour is led by Ross, a retired grape grower with local expertise in Hawke's Bay vineyards.

Are wine tasting fees covered?

All wine tasting fees are included as part of your booking.

What else is included besides wine tastings?

The day includes bottled water, cheese and biscuits served by your guide, chocolates at Silky Oaks Chocolates (visit), air-conditioned transport, and a souvenir branded wine glass from Mission Estate.

Can children join this winery tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome.

Do you learn about grape growing during the tour?

Yes, there is an informal vineyard management discussion with your guide along Gimblett Gravels Road.