Waikato is cow country, or 'mooloo' to the locals. The climate is probably not conducive to producing the best from many grape varieties but grapes will grow anywhere. And so Romeo Bragato, New Zealand's first government viticulturist, set up his viticultural research station at Te Kauwhata, 2/3rds of the way from Auckland to Hamilton. "Why?", many people asked, knowing how Bragato lectured on the best sites for growing grapes. "Because the rolling hills and the views over the lakes reminded him of his homeland, Italy!", it is said.

The first wines from Te Kauwhata were produced in 1903. Vines are still grown and wine is still produced in this important place in New Zealand's vinous history. In 2002, it celebrated its centenary and the original winery - now under the ownership of Babich Wines - was restored by the then owner, Rongapai Wines, to mark the occasion.

A round trip tour from Auckland would take the curious wine lover who wants to visit wineries off the beaten track, to Te Kauwhata, then to the Central Waikato and then to Taupo, which is only one and a half hour's drive from Hawkes Bay.

Return to Auckland, via Rotorua for the culture experience, then to Tauranga and travelling north via State Highway 2 for most of the way, detouring at Paeroa to take SH 26 to Thames.

Opening hours checked 2nd January 2008. Click on the website links provided to confirm opening hours.

Heading South down State Highway one towards Hamilton

Te Kauwhata

Cooks Landing (No. 2 on map)
Paddy's Road, just off State Highway One about 1.5 kilometres north of Te Kauwhata. Look for signposts on the main highway.
Situated in the 'old' Cooks Winery, the facility is open daily from 10.00am to 4pm. Here you can taste and buy 'Old Vines' wines with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc made from grapes grown in the historic Cooks vineyard in Te Kauwhata. There is also a cafe and function rooms on site.
Web: www.cookslanding.co.nz
Email: info@cookslanding.co.nz
Phone: (07) 826 0004

There are other vineyards in the Te Kauwhata area but most are for contract growers for other producers, or are producing wines mostly for export. There are no other visitor facilities in Te Kauwhata at the time of this update.

Central Waikato

Vilagrad Wines (No. 3 on map)
702 Rukuhia Road, Ohaupo.
Pieter & Nelda Nooyen's Vilagrad Wines is the oldest Waikato winery still operating. It was established in 1922. From Hamilton, head east along Tuikaramea Road past the Morman Temple, then turn left into Rukuhia Road. They make a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Malbec and Pinot Noir.
Cellar shop is open 8.30am - 5.00pm from Monday to Friday as well as on Sundays between 10.30am - 4pm. Wine tastings ($10) by prior arrangement. Sunday lunches. Winery tours and tasting ($15) on Sundays between 3.30pm and 5.30pm. Bookings essential.
The fourth generation Nooyen brothers have also established the 3 Brothers range of wines.
Web: www.vilagradwines.co.nz
Phone: (07) 825 2893

Mystery Creek Wines Ltd (No. 4 on map)
Angus Road off Mystery Creek Road, Ohaupo
Garry Major and Vicki Edwards produced their first commercially available wine from the 2000 vintage but what started as small production venture is now a major operation with a new winery built for the 2008 vintage. As well as grapes from the vineyard, grapes from other regions are utilised. Wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Rose, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
A tasting room is due to open mid February 2008. Until then visitors are welcome by appointment. Phone: (07) 823 6464
Also on site is the Woodbox Winery Restaurant and Bar,which opened November 2007 and operates Wednesday through Sunday. Mystery Creek's wines, amongst ohers, feature on the wine list. Phone: (07) 823 6411 for bookings.
Web: www.mysterycreekwines.co.nz

Judge Valley Vineyard and Function Centre (No. 5 on map)
Judge Road, Pauhue, Te Awamutu.
Phone: (07) 872 1821.
Former dairy farmer Kevin Geraghty decided to plant a small vineyard on the front of his property in 1997 but the vinous passion took over and now the cows have been forsaken in favour of the vine, with 10,000 vines planted where the cows used to graze. Varieties include merlot, malbec and cabernet franc in the pursuit of Bordeaux-styled wine.
A purpose built function centre opened in November 2006 to specialise in weddings and also provide an exceptional venue for family celebrations, corporate events and social occasions.
Web: www.judgevalley.com

Heading South down State Highway two towards Tauranga

Firstland Vineyards (No. 1 on map)
Based at the luxury Heritage Hotel and Spa du Vin in Lyons Road, Mangatawhiri on the southern side of the Bombay Hills, the tasting room opens daily from 9.30am to 5pm.
Take time out on the trip to dine at the vineyard restaurant. Grapes are sourced locally as well as from other regions.
Web: www.firstland.co.nz

Totara Vineyards SYC Ltd (No. 12 on map)
This winery, on the Ngati Maru Highway just south of Thames on the western entrance to the Coromandel Peninsula, has been there for as long as I can remember. There have been some good wines in the past, including a gold medal winning chardonnay from 1990, however nothing spectacular has been tasted of late. It's worth a visit on the trip to the Coromandel playground, however, and you can try their kiwifruit wines and liquers as well. The tasting room is open daily.
Phone: (07) 868 6798.

Ohinemuri Estate Wines (No. 11 on map)
This is the love of Horst & Wendy Hillerich. It is in the unlikely setting near the Karangahake Gorge but the winery cafe provides a welcome travellers rest.
You can find them off State Highway 2 in Moresby Street, Karangahake just out of Paeroa. Grapes are sourced from elsewhere.
Open daily 10:00am to 5:00pm during the 'high summer' and Wednesday to Sunday the rest of the year.
Web: www.ohinemuri.co.nz

Morton Estate Ltd (No. 10 on map)
The distinctive winery approximately 8 kilometres south of Katikati on State Highway 2 is open daily for tastings and sales with winery tours available by appointment.
Morton's restaurant currently opens only on Saturdays and Sundays for lunch.
Web: www.mortonestatewines.co.nz.

Mills Reef Winery Ltd (No. 9 on map)
Moffat Road, Bethlehem, on the northern approach to Tauranga.
The 'art deco' style winery is open daily for tasting. There is also a 150-seat a la carte restaurant on site. Although most of the grapes are sourced from Hawkes Bay, some come from Cooks Beach further up the Coromandel Peninsula.
Web: www.millsreef.co.nz

There is also Ohui Vineyard north of Whangamata (number 13 on map) and Shakespeare Cliff Vineyard and the adjacent Lonely Bay Vineyard at Cooks Beach (number 14 on map) on the Coromandel Peninsula. Currently these vineyards have no tasting facilities.

Taupo area

Wishart Estate at Huka Village(No. 6 on map)
Wishart Estate in Hawkes Bay operates their cellar door in Taupo at the Huka Village, above Huka Falls, a few kilometres of Taupo township.
Web: www.wishartwinery.co.nz

Huka Falls Resort at Huka Village also advertises a winery and wine tasting facility.
Web: www.hukavillage.co.nz

Tongariro River Estate (No. 7 on map)
At the southern end of Lake Taupo, just north of Turangi township, Tongariro River Estate in Mill Lane off Grace Road opened their cellar door in December 2007 along with the River Winery Cafe.
They produce Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and a Rose from this unlikely place for a vineyard.
Opening hours are 11.30am - 6pm. Fri - Sat - Sun.
Web: www.riverwines.co.nz.

Omori Estate (No. 8 on map)
Omori Road, Omori, Lake Taupo
About 1.5 kilometres from State Highway 41, at the southern end of Lake Taupo, west of Turangi township, Omori Estate grows grapes and olives. Wines include a Pinot Gris and a Pinot Noir Rose from their 'Omori Stream' block.
Open in the afternoons from Christmas until Waitangi Weekend, or at other times of the year, by appointment.
Web: www.omoriestate.co.nz.

Kuratau River Vineyard (No. 8 on map)
Riverpark Drive, Kuratau.
About 2.5 kilometres from State Highway 41 via Omori Road, Kuratau River Vineyard on the south west corner of lake Taupo, overlooks the Kurutau River. The vineyard was planted in 2004 with the first release wines from the 2007 vintage.
The Floating Rock Cafe was due to open in December 2007.
Web: www./www.kuratauriverwines.co.nz.

Waikato/BOP Vineyard area in 2007
Sourced from New Zealand Winegrowers Statistical Annual 2007