Hello all,
My mom and I are taking a trip off the bucket list. Heading to Sydney, Australia, then onto a 2 week cruise of New Zealand. Naturally we’d like to include some visits to good wineries. We only have a few days in Sydney, so we are limited geographically. For New Zealand however, we cruise the entire place so we won’t be too far from any one place in each port.
Any guidance is appreciated! Thanks!
Maria
For Sydney the two main “close” wine regions are the Hunter Valley and Canberra, however both are around 2.5-3 hours away, so it makes either option a full day trip by the time you get there and back. Given that you only have a couple of days here I would probably wait until New Zealand to visit some cellar doors where you may have more time.
I know it isn’t the same as visiting the region and producers, but in Sydney maybe consider visiting a couple of wine bars as they may be your best chance to try some local wines that aren’t often seen outside of Australia. Fix St James would be a good choice as they have a interesting selection by the glass (usually with at least a couple of NSW wines, plus they’ll do half glasses on request) as well some great food.
Agree with Cam, had an excellent lunch at Fix St James a couple of weeks ago.
And Maria, if you’ve never been there before, don’t panic when you see some of the prices on alcohol and tobacco products. Sin tax is steep down under.
Am in Sydney right now for about 10 days…
holy mother, meal costs about 60-100% more than the US… this is a shock, though company is picking up the tab, I still can’t fathom an indian curry meal costing 40 dollars.
Wine - yah. expensive… ouch. a ‘cheap’ beer is $6. this is during happy hour…
Wow - how can there be so many drunks?
Thanks for the heads up on food and alchohol!
Wages for waiting staff are high ($23 to $40/hr), rents in Sydney are ludicrous, on costs are high. Most restaurants make very skinny profits, if at all.
…and to answer the original question, as Cam suggest wineries require a full day excursion, but the Hunter makes some superb Semillons and Shiraz, and a very tasty Cabernet sauvignon at Lake’s Folly. Canberra is a bit further afield.
NZ has lots of options in Marlborough (home of Savvy), Martinborough, where you’ll find some lovely Pinots (1hr from Wellington) and Hawkes Bay, where the cool climate Shiraz, Merlots and Cabs are excellent. Not sure you’ll be sailing any where near Queenstown but Central otago is fascinating.
You may stop off at Christchurch, in which case you might be able to dash up to Waipara for some more Pinot action, although one woudl need a full day.
There are also quite a number of wineries around Auckland, many of whom present wines from other districts.
Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the world now, especially with the strong A$, and the general strength of our economy. Haven’t been to the Hunter valley, but have heard it is great fun. Don’t particularly love many of the wines though. Canberra makes some pretty smart wines though, but no idea on the cellar door status of most of them.
What ever you do though, don’t try to park in Sydney city, it can be astronomical!
Lots of nice wineries in NZ, value for money compared to quality though is generally even worse than in Aus. despite their slightly weaker $, and the quality (for what we saw) was mostly mediocre. Lovely place though of great natural beauty and friendly people.
Some of the better cellar doors include Clonakilla, Helm, Eden Road, Capital Wines, Mount Majura and Lark Hill.
Thanks for all the info!
Maria - can you send a link to the cruise info (ports of call, time in port). Happy to send a few recos for wineries nearby. They basically grow grapes up and down the country so you will have options at many stops i would think (except for the far north, far south and west coast).
Maria,
if you have enough time in Auckland, you can take a ferry to Waiheke Island and then take a taxi to Stoneyridge Estate and have a really nice accompanied by some of their wines. They produce a very famous (for NZ anyway) cabernet blend called Larose. You can get by the glass in the restaurant. There are lots of wineries in Waiheke Island but you would need a hire car to get around. If you want to do this, there are car rental agencies at the ferry terminal on Waiheke Island. It is a full day commitment for sure.
If you stop in Wellington, going to Martinborough is worthwhile but also a full day trip. Try Ata Rangi, Palliser Estate, Martinborough estate. The Martinborough hotel has a nice restaurant and back vintages of the best Pinots from the area. (for a price)
good luck
Brodie
You’re probably comparing NZ wines at Australian prices which are absolutely ridiculous. IN NZ itself, the value is far better than what you get in Australia with its trumped up WET, etc. Their wine is at least on par with Australia…at least…
If you’re in Sydney, your only two good options are the Hunter Valley and Canberra although the Hunter will be a lot quicker to get to. It is 2 hours or less from Sydney. Canberra will be at least another hour and for the most part.
I’d suggest driving if you don’t mind driving on the other side of the road…Once you get to the Hunter it is easy to get around and the wineries are relatively close together so you’ll be able to hit quite a few.
There are also tours, but they’ll be VERY expensive (100+ per person) and not very good. When you consider that you’re getting shoved around really quick and you’ll go to, at most, 4 places on a tour…hard to say it is worth it.
At the Hunter you’ll want to really look at the Semillon…hopefully you’ll be able to try aged Semillon…and Shiraz…which won’t be like what you’ll normally see in the US or other countries. Mainly medium bodied, higher acid and they age very well…Some interesting Chardonnay coming out of there as well but really it’ll be Semillon/Shiraz.
Here is my itinerary as suggested. I’m appreciating all the tips!
Mon Jan 14 Hobart, Australia 07:00 AM 05:00 PM
Thu Jan 17 Port Chalmers (Dunedin), Nz 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Fri Jan 18 Akaroa (Christchurch, Nz) 07:00 AM 07:00 PM
Sat Jan 19 Wellington, New Zealand 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Sun Jan 20 Napier, New Zealand 07:00 AM 02:00 PM
Mon Jan 21 Tauranga (Rotorua) New Zealand 08:00 AM 08:00 PM
Tue Jan 22 Auckland, New Zealand 07:00 AM 05:00 PM
Wed Jan 23 Waitangi (Bay Of Islands), Nz
I see… so if i’m reading this correctly you spend 10 hours +/- at each port. Given that you would want pretty quick access to wineries. There are some wineries in and around Hobart - i’m not really an expert on them but there has been some pretty compelling wine come out of Tassie. Here’s a link to the wine route: http://www.winetasmania.com.au/wine-route/southern-wine-route/winery-locations
There’s nothing too close to Dunedin, so do something else there.
The drive from Akaroa to the Waipara wineries is over 2 hours, so probably not that realistic. That said if you want to be aggressive about it Pyramid Valley and Bell Hill, just outside of Waipara are making special Pinot Noir.
The drive from Wellington to Martinborough is just over an hour, and a little hairy (scenic though!). Martinborough makes very good wine. I think the best choices are Dry River, Ata Rangi and Escarpment. Other good producers (and the 2 largest) are Martinborough Vineyards and Palliser.
Napier will be your no. 1 opportunity as there are plenty of wineries spread out in the Napier/Hastings area. The area excites most with it’s Syrah, Bordeaux Blends and Chardonnay, but they do a good job of a lot of different varieties. My pick of the wineries include Bilancia, Craggy Range, Stonecroft, Te Mata, Trinity Hill and Unison (all have great Syrahs, some have very good right bank blends). Clearview and Sacred Hill are also worth a look for their excellent chardonnays. Alluviale and Squawking Magpie are a pair of interesting newcomers… although i don’t know if they take visitors.
Nothing too close to Tauranga and it looks like you’re visiting Rotorua from there so probably won’t have the opportunity anyway.
For Auckland you could either do Waiheke Island (via ferry which leave right by where the cruise will be docked) or Kumeu in West Auckland. I’d probably do Waiheke given you’ll be at the docks. The wine quality has increased at a rapid place oN Waiheke with the picks (like Hawkes Bay) being Syrah, Bordeaux blends, Chardonnay and white rhone grapes. My picks are Man 'O War, Passage Rock, Obsidian, Stonyridge, Kennedy Point and Cable Bay. Cable Bay would be my pick for lunch. I’d probably just get a driver for Waiheke, although you can easily rent a car or get scooters. Waiheke is great, and you’re bound to love it, Although with only 1 day in Auckland i wonder if i would just explore the city and its neighbourhoods.
Waitangi is a no go for wine (or good wine anyway).
There are some wineries around Hobart - some lovely cool climate Pinot Noirs and Rieslings… http://www.winetasmania.com.au/wine-route/southern-wine-route
Some wineries to consider Domaine A, Moorilla Estate, Bream Creek.
You guys are great! Thanks so much for all the advice.
The MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) at Moorilla Estate is also a must see…