NORTHLAND – A WINE AND DINING HIDEAWAY
New Zealand has a 200-year history in wine, which began in 1819 in Kerikeri where the first vines were planted by missionary Samuel Marsden. It’s a small region, but Northland has some fine wine producers, cellar-door experiences and modern restaurant dining opportunities. There are 20 wineries in Northland to discover, from Longview and Marsden estates, Ake Ake, Karikari Estate and Paroa Bay to The Landing. Many have cellar-door experiences and a taste of true Northland cuisine with either a restaurant, platter-and-tasting option, or the complete package of wine and vineyard experiences. Famous for its summer whale and dolphin watching, charter boats and fantastic cultural experiences, Northland’s history, wine, agriculture, farmers’ markets and amazing landscape are a phenomenal experience.
Ake Ake’s bistro features some classic dishes, from twice-cooked pork belly with fennel, thyme and honey-glazed apples, to duck confit and leek risotto. Be sure to try their skin-fermented flora, chambourcin and chardonnay wines. akeakevineyard.co.nz
Marsden Estate is open for breakfast and lunch with dishes such as fillet steak with leek and blue cheese potato, mushroom purée, truffle oil and kūmara crisps, or fettuccine pasta with garlic prawns, salmon, capers, spinach and herbs in a white wine and cream sauce. If you’re there for a cellar-door tasting experience, then be sure to try the viognier and pinotage wines. marsdenestate.co.nz
Russell is one of the best and more historical gateways and getaways of Northland. The Duke of Marlborough Hotel is a 19th-century building with recently refurbished rooms, bar and a restaurant with fantastic service, excellent food and a very smartly priced wine list. theduke.co.nz
If you want to take it to the next level, then A Taste of The Landing is a must. There are two packages to select from. The first is a two-and-ahalf hour experience in which guests travel by private boat from Russell to Wairoa Bay. After a tour of the vineyard set among native bush where kiwi roam wild, guests head to the onsite state-of-the-art winery for a guided tasting of five of the label’s wines.
Step it up another level for their Cellar Door Lunch, a four-and-a-halfhour experience in which guests arrive by The Landing’s private boat, explore the vineyard, sites of historic interest and native forest walking trails, followed by a guided wine tasting and a two-course lunch prepared by the chef.