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weekenders
QUiCK GETAWAyS MADE EASy AUGUST 2015
Fantastic wine and
much more
Sample a drop and enjoy all that this region has to offer.
<< HAWKES BAY, NEW ZEALAND
Art Deco buildings abound.
Lord of the Rings style scenery.
AS THE OLDEST WINE REGION IN NEW ZEALAND AND THE COUNTRY’S SECOND LARGEST, HAWKES BAY PRODUCES SOME OF THE WORLD’S FINEST FULL-BODIED RED WINES BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE THAN WINE TO THIS SUNNY REGION.
Located at 39.4°S, on New Zealand’s North Island, Hawkes Bay has a climate
similar to Bordeaux in France. Red wines dominate here with over 80% of New
Zealand’s plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes but the
area also specialises in rich and wonderful Chardonnays.
With an annual average of 2,200 sunshine hours and low rainfall and humidity, Hawkes Bay is one of the sunniest regions of New Zealand. It’s the perfect climate for orchards and of course, internationally acclaimed wineries. So whatever time of the year you visit, you’re guaranteed to have sunny, dry weather - perfect for exploring this stunning region.
Hawkes Bay was named by Captain James Cook in honour of Admiral Edward Hawke who decisively defeated the French at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759. It is made up of several areas and spans from Mahia in the north through to Porangahau in the south, covering 1.42 million hectares and 350km of Pacific Ocean coastline.
The main areas encompass Wairoa, Mahia and Lake Waikaremoana
as well as Hastings, Napier and Central Hawkes Bay. The city of Hastings and the township of Havelock North are nestled among the main wine growing areas while the affluent city of Napier sits by the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
One of the main reasons tourists flock to Napier is to experience the Art Deco Centre which is world renowned for its architecture. Rebuilt in the 1930’s after a massive earthquake, it hosts the country’s biggest celebrations of Matariki, the Maori New Year.
Hawke’s Bay has a great range of activities for those seeking a little thrill with horse riding, rafting and kayaking. It’s a place where tourists can shop at the farmers’ market and enjoy locally grown delicacies or indulge in traditional gourmet food. You can also walk the forest
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