Hawke's Bay: Wine Country
There are two words that best describe Hawke's Bay and they are ‘Wine Country’ - but there is much more than wine to this sunny region.
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Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand’s warmest, driest regions and this has made it one of the country’s leading producers of wine; most notably red wines, but also with some quite outstanding whites. The region is the first stop on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, and it's a popular place for bicycle wine tours.
Hawke's Bay is considered the home of Art Deco in New Zealand. It had to be rebuilt in the 1930’s after a devastating earthquake shook it, and its residents to the core. Every year it hosts some spectacular celebrations of Matariki – the Maori New Year. It’s a welcoming place where you can go to the farmers' market for locally grown delights, indulge in delicious gourmet food, and grab some kai at Napier’s Great Long Lunch. For the active types you can walk the forest trails of the Ruahine and Kaweka Forest Parks, visit the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony then relax on the glorious beaches that stretch along the massive coast.
Hastings is the region’s most populous town with around 60,000 residents. Fruit, wine and 1930s architecture give Hastings a unique point of difference. A walk around the town reveals superb examples of Art Deco and Spanish Mission design. There are more than 40 wineries surrounding the urban area, which can be visited any time of the year. Every Sunday morning, the local farmer’s market puts on a delicious kiwi shopping experience, allowing you to indulge in handmade cheeses, fresh produce and artisanal meat products.
The next largest, and perhaps more popular, town is Napier. Napier's city centre feels like you’ve stepped back in time, the gorgeous 1930s architecture being quite remarkable to see in person. One of the ways to enjoy the sights of the streets is to ask for a map at the information centre and take a self-guided tour of the town. Guided walks around the city are also available every day, no matter the weather conditions. Every February, Napier celebrates its heritage with an Art Deco weekend - a classy bash celebrating all things 1930s, including classic cars, vintage fashion and wonderful music.
Explore New Zealand with Rite Price Rentals! Rent a car from Rotorua, Hamilton or Tauranga and explore everything that New Zealand has to offer. We have car or van hire options depending on the size of your family or group. Rite Price Rentals is New Zealand’s trusted car rental company.
