The Winemaker's Tour – Hawke's Bay Wine Tours

Discover Hawke’s Bay wine country with The Winemaker’s Tour, offering private and personalised wine tours hosted by third-generation New Zealand winemaker Don Bird.

With 40 years of experience in the Hawke’s Bay wine industry, Don takes guests beyond a standard cellar door experience, sharing his knowledge of local vineyards, viticulture, winemaking and the stories behind the region’s wines. Tours explore boutique and award-winning wineries while showcasing the landscapes and wine-growing areas that make Hawke’s Bay one of New Zealand’s leading wine destinations.

Why Choose The Winemaker’s Tour?

• Private and personalised Hawke’s Bay wine tours
• Personally hosted by third-generation winemaker Don Bird
• 40 years of Hawke’s Bay wine-industry experience
• Explore boutique and award-winning wineries
• In-depth insight into viticulture and winemaking
• Luxury, air-conditioned transport
• Small private tours for an intimate experience
• Larger bespoke group tours available
• Napier cruise ship tour options
• Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari and wine tour combination
• Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2025 winner
• Five-star guest reviews

Private Hawke’s Bay Wine Tours

The signature Winemaker’s Private Tour is designed for guests who want to experience Hawke’s Bay wine country through the eyes of someone who has spent decades making wine in the region.

Hosted personally by Don Bird, the approximately seven-hour experience is private and tailored to guests’ individual wine interests.

Depending on the season and itinerary, experiences can include exploring award-winning wineries, walking through vineyards, tasting grapes from the vine and even tasting wine directly from the barrel.

Tours are designed for a minimum of two and maximum of six guests, with larger groups available by arrangement. Guests are collected from their accommodation at approximately 10am and travel in a luxury air-conditioned SUV.

Tour Hawke’s Bay With a Winemaker

What makes The Winemaker’s Tour particularly distinctive is the person behind the wheel.

Don Bird is a third-generation New Zealand winemaker with 40 years of experience in the Hawke’s Bay wine industry. His grandparents established Esk Valley Estate Winery in the 1930s, and Don later studied Oenology at Roseworthy College in South Australia before returning to New Zealand and taking over the winemaking role from his father.

His wines have received two trophies and numerous gold medals in New Zealand and international competitions. His long-standing relationships within the Hawke’s Bay wine community can also provide guests with additional insight into the people and places behind the wines they taste.

Boutique Wineries & Hawke’s Bay Wine Country

Rather than simply travelling between cellar doors, these Hawke’s Bay winery tours provide an opportunity to learn about the region’s vineyards, winemaking techniques and terroir.

The Winemaker’s Tour particularly enjoys visiting boutique wineries that reflect the character of Hawke’s Bay and provides guests with time to meet and talk with people involved in producing the region’s wines.

The journey also takes in Hawke’s Bay scenery, including river valleys, hillside vineyards and the renowned Gimblett Gravels wine-growing area.

Hawke’s Bay Wine Tours for Larger Groups

Travelling with friends, family, colleagues or another larger group?

The Bespoke and Tailored Wine Tour caters for groups of 8–22 people and can be designed around the group’s interests.

Guests can explore award-winning wineries and vineyards while enjoying the knowledge and experience of Don as their host. The emphasis remains on providing a personalised experience rather than a fixed, one-size-fits-all itinerary.

Napier Cruise Ship Wine Tours

The Winemaker’s Tour also caters for cruise passengers visiting Napier.

Private shore experiences can combine Napier sightseeing with Hawke’s Bay wine tasting, allowing cruise visitors to experience more of the region during their time ashore.

The business states that cruise tour itineraries are planned to return guests in time for their ship’s sailing.

Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari & Wine Tour

For travellers wanting to combine two distinctly Hawke’s Bay experiences in one day, The Winemaker’s Tour offers a Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari & Private Wine Tour.

The experience combines the region’s wine country with a visit to the famous Cape Kidnappers gannets, creating a full-day nature and wine experience.

More Than Wine

Tours can also be tailored for guests interested in discovering more of Hawke’s Bay’s local produce and attractions.

For those who don’t want their entire itinerary centred around wine tasting, visits to other places of interest, including olive oil and fig producers, can be arranged.

Small, Personal & Private

The Winemaker’s Tour specialises in intimate experiences rather than conventional large-group wine tours.

Private touring provides greater flexibility and gives guests more opportunity to ask questions, learn about wine and spend time enjoying the wineries and vineyards they visit.

Whether guests are enthusiastic wine collectors or simply interested in discovering Hawke’s Bay wine for the first time, Don can tailor the experience to their interests and level of wine knowledge.

Explore Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay is renowned for its vineyards, wineries, food, Art Deco heritage and spectacular landscapes.

Combine a wine tour with more of the region’s attractions, accommodation and experiences by exploring our Hawke’s Bay Travel Guide.

Book Direct with The Winemaker’s Tour

Experience Hawke’s Bay wine country with a guide who has spent decades working within the region’s wine industry.

Choose a private Winemaker’s Tour, arrange a bespoke experience for a larger group, combine wine with a Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari, or enquire about a private Napier cruise ship tour.

Support local and book direct with The Winemaker’s Tour for current availability, tour options and pricing.