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With its diverse range of micro-climates, Central Park offers a wide range of vineyards and wineries, from Mills Reed and Morton Estate in the Bay of Plenty, to New Zealand Fruit Wines in Taupo and the world-renowned wine region of Hawkes Bay.

Hawkes Bay is New Zealand’s largest producer of red wines, with more than 80 per cent of the country’s plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes. At the same time, the warm coastal climate and diverse landscape means the region also produces some of New Zealand’s best chardonnays.

Hawkes Bay is the second largest wine region in the country, and it is also the oldest, with the earliest wine pioneers producing their first vintages as far back as 1851. By the early 1920s, there were a number of vineyards firmly established in the area.

There are more than 70 vineyards in Central Park, most of which offer wine tasting at the cellar door, while others have cafes, restaurants and sometimes even accommodation amongst the vines.

If you’re wanting to take in a selection of leading vineyards, join a group wine tour or take a tour with a local expert who can tailor a wine tour especially for you and your tastes. Make the most of the cellar door wine tasting that is available and take the opportunity to try some of the best wines in New Zealand. And if you like what you try, you can purchase by the bottle or by the case, with most vineyards arranging courier to ship it to your home anywhere in New Zealand or around the world.

While you’re in wine country, don’t forget to check out the huge number of concerts and events happening at vineyards across the area.

The Mission Estate is home to the signature “Mission” concert every year, which has hosted international singing stars such as Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Jimmy Barnes, Dionne Warwick and Dame Kiri te Kanawa. Other New Zealand artists hold a vineyard tour every year, visiting vineyards around the country, including Hawkes Bay and the Bay of Plenty. Check out http://www.thewinerytour.co.nz/news.html for the latest news and updates on this summer highlight.

Featured: New Zealand’s wine country – Hawke’s Bay

Home to a variety of attractions and favorable weather in all seasons, the Hawke’s Bay is a year round destination. Known for being one of the premier wine producing areas in New Zealand and the country’s oldest wine region, the Hawke’s Bay boasts over 70 vineyards and is well regarded for its excellent quality wine along with its fresh produce.

Mission Estate Winery is New Zealand’s oldest winery being established in 1851 by the French Marist order and is now one of the most iconic wineries in the country. Known for the stunning seminary building overlooking Napier, Mission Estate is a popular venue for weddings and conferences as well as hosting the annual Mission Concert which over the years has headlined guests such as Lionel Richie, Tom Jones, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart and Ray Charles.

Other top class wineries in the region include Esk Valley, Trinity Hill, Craggy Range and Church Road. The Black Barn Winery offers an amphitheatre which has been described by many performers as the best outdoor venue in New Zealand.

A number of operators run tours of the wineries and one of the most popular ways to see the region and visit the wineries is with one of the numerous bike tours in which visitors pedal their way to various wineries while taking in the sights.

The Hawke’s Bay is not only about wine with many other activities and attractions on offer. Gannet Beach Adventures offer visitors the chance to see the world’s largest mainland Gannet colony on the famous Cape Kidnappers coastline.

Known as the Art Deco City, Napier, located in the south of Hawke’s Bay, boasts the world’s largest collection of inner city art deco buildings in the world and every year thousands of enthusiast flock to the city for the Art Deco Weekend Summer Festival.

A short drive down the coast sits the city of Hastings, home to the Hawke’s Bay Opera House and numerous art galleries. Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers are two of the stunning natural features that adorn this area and with activities such as hot air balloon rides, a visit to the Splash Planet water park, wandering the Art Trail or playing a round at ‘Cape Kidnappers Golf Course’ – one of the top 50 golf courses in the world designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak, there are plenty of options for the whole family.

Stretching from Mahia in the north to Porangahau in the south, the Hawke’s Bay covers 1.42 Million hectares with the shoreline spanning 350km of the Pacific Ocean.

Spring HOT Fest | Rotorua – 2010

Spring HOT Fest 2010
24-30 September, Spring Hot Fest 2010
Don’t miss the fun as Rotorua celebrates its super hot status with a week full of festive fun. A Spring holiday family festival that’s guaranteed to prove a hot time, Hot Highlights for 2010 include the Opening and Closing Gala Entertainment Nights, the Hot Non-stop Film Festival, [...]

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