Kumeu Wine Tour with Muriwai Gannet Colony and Black Sand Beach
Three boutique wineries, a world-famous seabird colony, and a volcanic black sand beach — all within a single afternoon from Auckland.
The Kumeu Wine Tour takes you through the rolling hills of West Auckland to three family-owned wineries with deep roots in New Zealand's wine history, before finishing with a coastal walk at Muriwai alongside a thriving gannet colony.
West Auckland's Kumeu district has been producing wine since the early twentieth century, shaped largely by Croatian immigrant families who brought European winemaking traditions with them. Today their descendants continue to run these estates, and the stories behind each label are as compelling as the wines themselves.
This tour pairs structured wine tastings with open air exploration. After your cellar visits you travel a short scenic distance to the Muriwai cliffs, where Australasian gannets nest in one of the most accessible wild seabird colonies in New Zealand, and then descend to a stretch of black sand beach before returning to the city.
Tour Highlights
Guided tastings at three distinct family-owned boutique wineries in the Kumeu wine region.
Scenic drive through the Muriwai countryside and Ararimu Valley on the outskirts of Auckland.
Close-up views of the world-famous Muriwai Gannet Colony perched on dramatic coastal cliffs.
A walk on the striking black sand beach at Muriwai, unique to New Zealand's volcanic west coast.
Antipasto or cheese platter served alongside your wine tasting at the final winery stop.
Visit Kumeu River, home to New Zealand's first Master of Wine and a pioneer of screw cap closures.
Learn about the Croatian immigrant families who founded West Auckland's wine industry over eighty years ago.
Itinerary
Founded in 1944 by the Brajkovich family, Kumeu River is one of Auckland's original wine pioneers. Winemaker Michael Brajkovich holds the distinction of being New Zealand's first member of the Institute of Masters of Wine in London. The winery is best known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and also produces the Kumeu Cremant, a bone-dry blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with notes of fresh bread, goat's cheese, and a hint of citrus.
The Soljan family's connection to West Auckland winemaking spans generations, beginning at their original Henderson vineyard before moving to the Kumeu property. The estate grows Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Pinotage, and blends modern winemaking technology with traditional methods. Among their most prized possessions are handmade seventy-year-old totara barrels still used to age their Founders Tawny Port.
Nestled in the Ararimu Valley, West Brook is one of New Zealand's oldest and most respected boutique wineries, with origins tracing back to the Ivicevich family who arrived from Croatia in 1935. Here you enjoy your final tasting alongside an antipasto or cheese platter in a relaxed vineyard setting. The surrounding valley scenery makes this a fitting conclusion to the cellar door portion of the day.
A scenic drive from the wineries brings you to the Muriwai coastline, where a leisurely ten-minute walk leads to a viewing platform overlooking one of the most accessible gannet colonies in the world. Australasian gannets return seasonally to nest on the volcanic rock stacks and cliff edges, offering a remarkable wildlife experience within easy reach of Auckland.
After the colony walkway you descend to the expansive black sand beach, a signature feature of New Zealand's volcanic west coast. The beach provides a striking contrast to the vineyard landscapes earlier in the day, and your driver will collect you from the beach before the return journey into Auckland.
What's Included and Excluded
Included
- Wine tastings at three boutique wineries
- Antipasto or cheese platter at West Brook Winery
- Guided transport throughout the tour
- Visit to Muriwai Gannet Colony
- Walk on Muriwai Black Sand Beach
- Return transfer to Auckland city
Not Included
- Additional wine or food purchases at wineries
- Gratuities for guide or driver
- Personal travel insurance
- Hotel pickup or drop-off outside designated meeting point
Important Information
Ready to Explore Kumeu Wine Country?
Secure your place on this West Auckland wine and nature experience. Small group numbers mean availability can fill quickly, particularly on weekends and during peak season.
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