Hamilton and Waikato regions are the paramount places for fresh local products and produce. You can sample award-winning wines and cheeses along with blueberries, asparagus, and numerous other fresh products. It is a heaven for wine lovers as they can sample amazing wines from the wineries which are organic and luxurious. Chardonnay, Merlot, and Gewurztraminer are some of the varieties of grapes for making wines, and the place is dotted with numerous local breweries and wineries which are famous worldwide. Let us talk about some of the best wineries in this region, which you can easily access by choosing Hamilton and Waikato bus hire.
Villagrad Wines
Established in 1922, Villagrad winery is a family owned and operated winery, specializing in the finest of wines, food, and other entertaining activities. These hand-harvested and hand crafted wines are available in great variety and are exquisite, to say the least. The quality of wines is excellent due to amazing climate and soil of the area. A visit to this winery is luxurious and memorable as you can enjoy the Mediterranean cuisine for Lunch, along with the famous wines. Weddings are also hosted in the winery and they are once in a lifetime experience when vows are exchanged in the lush green surroundings, with amazing food at your disposal.
Huka Falls Winery
Huka Falls winery cum resort is an astounding place to visit and stay. It is an amazing place for weddings with magical surroundings that are romantic and stunning. With several amenities like swimming pool, café, villas, tennis court etc. it is a luxurious place where you can sample wines as well as enjoy freshly produced items. Landscaped gardens are set amidst beautiful vineyard and the place is a perfect setting for a luxurious wedding. This winery is awe-inspiring with all types of luxuries for the visitors, so one can taste locally made wines as well as enjoy the comforts provided at the resort.
Mercury Bay Winery
Located on the coastline of the Hamilton and Waikato region, this is a boutique and family owned vineyard and winery. They have a relaxed and friendly ambiance and are close to stunning attractions like Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove, and Hahei. Locals and tourists can visit the restaurant and Cellar door of the winery and delve into the beauty of the place while tasting fantastic wines with platters of freshly cooked food. Wines are produced from freshly grown food in the vineyards located at Cooks beach and Hawkes Bay. It is an amazing place with picturesque beauty where honeymooners can enjoy fabulous wines along with sumptuous food grown fresh in the region.
Omori Winery
Located in the south-west corner of Lake Taupo, Omori Winery is one of the favourite destinations for wine lovers. The scenic place has a lake area which is particularly known for activities like fishing, sailing, snow-skiing and various other activities. Tourists can taste amazing wines and olives in the winery, which are produced in-house. You can enjoy the cool climate on the Lake Edge, high altitude, and vineyards. Lovely wines by the winery are famous throughout the world for their texture and aroma, and wine lovers are simply mystified with the variety of wines which leave them mesmerized.
Mystery Creek Wines
Located on the banks of the Waikato River, this beautiful cellar door is halfway between Cambridge and Hamilton. It’s warm and toasty during the winters, while breezy during the summers. You can call it a rural heartland, just next to the international airport of Hamilton. It is an ideal vineyard location with lush green farmland and river views. It was planted in 1990, and has another branch south of Cambridge. Wines are made from fresh grapes sourced from Central Otago, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, thus covering all major styles you might be looking for. Combining an elegant mixture of vanillin oak and succulent stone fruit, the reserve Waikato Chardonnay is a stylish rendition.
Ohinemuri Estate
Owned by a German guy, Horst, the Ohinemuri Estate vineyard has an interesting history behind it. He was trained in Rheingau region of Germany and chose to settle in New Zealand, where he met Wendy in 1988. He started winemaking practices in the Karangahake Gorge region, converting a garage into a tasting room, which was opened to public in 1990. Later, the winery was built in 1993. It is designed and constructed by an Englishman architecture, Nick Frost, who gave it a Latvian style, nestled high above the Ohinemuri River. The winery got its name from the pristine location!
Morton Estate Wines
Known to be one of the leading producers of wine in New Zealand, Morton Estate epitomizes the best wine-producing techniques from the traditional and modern worlds. Extra effort is given on selecting the finest technology to create striking flavours and styles in order to make an impact on expectations of wine lovers. They commit to winemaking as a form of art, rather than business. Ever since their inception, they have been consistent in providing quality stuff.
Morton Estate has been rewarded with numerous accolades over the years that has led to their brand recognition. They are particularly known for their Chardonnay that has won them numerous awards, including the ‘best Chardonnay in the world’ trophy. Today, they have expanded their catalogue with a range of Methode Traditionnelle sparkling wines, along with award-winning Pinot Gris, Bordeaux blends, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
Wines in New Zealand are particularly known for their vivacity, concentration and purity. Exceptional flavour development is due to the cool temperature of the region, making way for long ripening periods, thus retaining a balance with fresh acidity. Vineyards in Hamilton & Waikato enjoy breathtaking regions, and you should definitely hire a bus, if you are travelling with a group of friends or family. Not only is it affordable and convenient, but also gives you an advantage of travelling together with your group. At best, you can choose to stay in one of the cottages, if you wish to explore the region in its entirety.