PinotNoir

My wife and I (both in our 60s) are going to be staying in Auckland CBD for four nights in early April before our cruise and found that it will be easy and affordable to rent a car for some daytrips instead of buying tours. We would like to visit some wineries, gardens, and anything interesting to see around Auckland. Looking for winery recommendations (places with nice ambiance and reasonably priced wines) as well as any other sightseeing ideas. Another thing, is it worth going to Waiheke Island for the day and taking our own vehicle or should we just ferry over and get around the island some other way?

Melnq8

My only experience with Auckland wineries is Villa Maria, which, lucky for us, is walking distance from the Auckland Airport.

There was a time not too long ago that we'd fly from Perth to Auckland, walk to Villa Maria for a nice lunch, then fly from Auckland to the US. My kind of layover.

RoamsAround

Diamantina

Ditto the above, Villa Maria near the airport and Waiheke Island. You can do what RoamsAround did, or you can tour Waiheke Island by regular local bus, which stops at many wineries and at beaches, or the Hop on Hop Off bus, or go on a specialized wine tour.
https://www.fullers.co.nz/experience...ne-food-tours/
https://www.waihekeislandwinetours.co.nz/
https://www.ananda.co.nz/

If you choose to visit Auckland's West Coast (fabulous black sand beaches, rainforest), there are some wineries around Kumeu. But this area is best explored by car and I don't think this particular wine region is nearly as scenic as Waiheke (which is beautiful).

A lot of Waiheke's wineries also have restaurants with views. These are a few you can easily get to:
https://cablebay.nz/
https://www.mudbrick.co.nz/
https://temotu.co.nz/?age-verified=fcdd4fd19d
https://www.tantalus.co.nz/
https://wildonwaiheke.co.nz/

Waiheke's wines are not inexpensive.

Is Auckland the only wine region you'l be visiting in NZ? Do you plan on flying in or out of Auckland? If so, definitely try to visit Villa Maria. You'll find the widest selection of varietals here. They have vineyards around the country and you'll be able to taste many wines from these diverse regions, such as albarino from Gisborne or pinot noir from Marlborough or malbec from Hawkes Bay or gewurtraminer from Auckland. You might not be able to taste the higher end reserve or single vineyard pinot noirs at the cellar door, but some will be available by the glass in the cafe (can't help but think you're partial to pinot noir given your screen name). If you'll be visiting Marlborough, Villa Maria also has a tasting room there. They also own several wineries in Hawkes Bay (Napier)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Maria_Estates

Some of the other larger wineries on Waiheke and in West Auckland might also offer pinot noirs from Marlborough or Central Otago.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum is excellent and in a large beautiful park called the Domain.

The Auckland Botanic Garden is not far from the airport. I'm not been there. Thought about trying to get there from the downtown area on public transportation but it seemed to take too long. But it's quite large and seems beautiful.

PinotNoir

Thank you Diamantina for your detailed suggestions. We are flying in to AKL and staying for four nights and then boarding a transpacific cruise to Los Angeles. It's our first time to NZ and we will see the rest of the country on another trip someday so this trip we will stay close to AKL instead of trying to rush willy nilly to other parts of NZ. But as you can tell from my screen name, I do like Pinot Noirs--as well as Chardonnays. Since we arrive at AKL early in the day (7am), I think that I will hire us a car right away and start driving. Probably too early to head to Villa Maria or even check into our downtown hotel so perhaps that might be a good day to head out to Kumeu? Other suggestions welcomed.
We do enjoy visiting wineries here in California and because I work for a winery, one of the perks of the job is that we are always given free tastings as well as an "industry discount" on wines that we purchase when visiting other wineries. Does anyone know if that's 'normal' at NZ wineries?

Diamantina

I see, so you won't be visiting any other NZ ports as it won't be a cruise around NZ.

After traveling from California to New Zealand, you're likely to be jet-lagged and even if you manage to sleep on the plane it might not be a good idea to drive. You might feel a little disoriented as you'll be driving on the left in an unfamiliar area and there will probably be a lot of traffic heading into the city. Starting your first jet-lagged day with a wine tasting in Kumeu and then getting in the car and driving into downtown Auckland probably isn't a great idea. There's a lot of traffic in downtown Auckland, and busy one-way streets

I'd save a drive to Kumeu for one of your other days, when you're better rested. As I wrote before, there are beautiful black sand beaches and rainforest in West Auckland, so you'd be able to explore these as well. The roads down to these black sand beaches are winding. If you go to any of these beaches, take great care if going into the water; the waves can be treacherous.
https://www.aucklandnz.com/visit/dis...d-surf-beaches
Normally the Waitakere Ranges of West Auckland are also worth visiting, but at present large parts of it are closed to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease, but I think you can still visit its Arataki Visitor Centre. They'd also be able to tell you about any open areas that you might still be able to explore, such as waterfalls, walking tracks.

Kumeu River Winery is known for its chardonnays. I liked nearby Matua Winery. You might want to check out Coopers Creek (though I didn't find it too friendly or welcoming), also in this area.
You might want to look at NZ's Cuisine Wine magazine:
Cuisine Wine - The definitive guide to New Zealand's top wines
Here's a link to their map of the wineries of Greater Auckland:
http://www.cuisinewine.co.nz/wp-cont...r-auckland.pdf
And Waiheke:
http://www.cuisinewine.co.nz/wp-cont...eke-island.pdf
The regular bus and Hop on Hop Off bus will take you to Wild on Waiheke. There are three other wineries nearby: Stonyridge, Te Motu and Tantalus (which is not on the above map).
https://www.waihekewine.co.nz/our-region/
Pick a fair-weather day to visit Waiheke.

On your first day, it'd be easiest to just catch SkyBus or a door to door shuttle to your downtown hotel and see the city on foot this first day (museum, art gallery, waterfront, early dinner then early to bed). You might not be able to check into your hotel early, but they can hold your luggage as you go looking around. If you have lots of energy, you could catch the ferry to Waiheke from downtown Auckland. On Waiheke, you wouldn't have to drive. But i think you'd enjoy Waiheke more when you're better rested.

Sorry, I don't know anything about reciprocal wine industry discounts. Quite a few NZ wineries are owned by Americans, but not that many in the Auckland area. Nobilo in Kumeu is owned by Constellation Brands, which also owns Mondavi,.Clos du Bois, Franciscan, Mark West, Estancia, Ravenswood, Wild Horse.

PinotNoir

Thank you Diamantina for your wonderful information and suggestions. In addition to wineries, could you suggest some small towns truly worth a couple hours drive from AKL? We like museums, history, gardens, seashores, and nice eateries. I'm even thinking of going somewhere and having us spend a night away from the city. Thanks again!

Diamantina

You might want to consider staying on Waiheke Island for a night. I love Onetangi Beach. The bus goes right to it. Or you can rent a car close to the ferry terminal. Having a car would allow to get to areas not served by the bus or a tour, such as Man O'War Vineyards, though keep in mind the road to it is a winding gravel road. Not a big deal for people used to such roads, but it could be a challenge for others. Otherwise, you don't need a car for Waiheke. "museums, history, gardens, seashores, and nice eateries" You find all but museums on Waiheke. There is a small museum or two, but it can't compare to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, or it Art Gallery, or its Maritime Museum.
Onetangi Beach


Or consider staying at Bethell's Beach Cottages, as a base for exploring West Auckland. I can't think of any museums in this area, unless you count the Arataki Visitor Centre in the Waitakere Ranges.

Or you can drive up to Matakana village. But I've never stayed there. I've only drive through there once many years ago and barely remember it.

Diamantina

Sorry for the typos. The site wouldn't allow me to edit it.