On Yer Bike Winery Tour

Hawke's Bay is beautiful and most importantly flat, which makes it perfect cycling terrain. You will be given a 21-speed mountain bike (or tandem if you prefer) for the day, complete with helmet, a delicious packed lunch and a cell phone — to arrange the collection of wine purchased en route, to seek clarification on the directions or to phone in if you have run out of puff.

There are six wineries to visit on the route: Sileni, Te Awa, Ngatarawa, Trinity Hill, Huthlee and Alpha Domus. The longest ride is 17 miles, but fewer wineries can be visited, less distance traveled and a more leisurely pace taken to soak up the sun and enjoy the ambience of the region. You find yourself cycling through olive groves, over farmland and orchards, past ostrich farms and horse studs, and there is also the opportunity for some off-road cycling through vineyards.