(And How We Rode from Brookfields to Craggy Range in One Perfect Day)
Some wine regions are beautiful but brutal on the legs – big hills, busy roads and long distances between cellar doors.
Hawke’s Bay is different.
With nearly 200 km of mostly flat, off-road cycle paths, officially graded 1–2 (easiest to easy), the Hawke’s Bay Trails make this region one of New Zealand’s easiest places to combine cycling, wine and sightseeing in a single relaxed day. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council+2New Zealand+2
Yesterday I hosted a private tour that did exactly that:
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- Napier history and Art Deco in the morning
- Wine tasting at Brookfields Vineyards
- A 2-hour ride on a section of the Hawke’s Bay cycle trails
- Tasting and a long, slow lunch at Craggy Range, beneath Te Mata Peak
It was one of those days where everything flowed – interesting, active, but never rushed. And it’s a great example of why Hawke’s Bay is the perfect “bike & wine” region for visitors of all levels.
What Makes Hawke’s Bay So Good for Bike & Wine?
1. Flat, Easy Trails (Great for Casual Riders and E-Bikes)
The Hawke’s Bay Trails are part of New Zealand’s Great Rides network and are officially graded 1–2, which means: Hawke’s Bay Regional Council+1
- wide, mostly smooth surfaces
- very gentle gradients
- mostly off-road paths away from traffic
They’re ideal for:
- people who haven’t been on a bike in years
- families
- guests who prefer e-bikes
- wine lovers who want to ride a little, not complete a marathon
You can pick and choose sections – from short one-hour spins to full-day adventures – without needing Tour de France fitness.
2. Short Distances Between Wineries and Viewpoints
This is not a “ride 30 km before your next glass of wine” sort of region.
On the Wineries Ride section alone, there are around 10 cellar doors dotted along the trail, plus plenty of places to stop for food. Hawke’s Bay+1
In practical terms that means:
- you ride 15–20 minutes
- you stop for a tasting or a coffee
- you ride another easy section with gorgeous scenery
- you repeat as often as you like
And it’s not just vineyards: along the wider network you also get coastal views, river valleys, orchards and wetlands, so you’re not staring at rows of vines all day. Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails+1
3. Premium Tours = You Ride the Best Bits, I Drive the Rest
The one thing the Hawke’s Bay Trails don’t do is magically join every winery and viewpoint in a perfect loop.
That’s where a private tour changes the game.
- I use the van to connect the dots between Napier, wineries and the safest, prettiest trail sections.
- You only cycle the parts that are off-road, scenic and fun.
- I meet you at the other end with the vehicle, water, extra layers and anything you’ve bought along the way.
No navigating busy roads, no worrying about how to get back to town after a big lunch, and no hauling bottles of wine on your bike. You get the freedom of the trail and the comfort of a private driver.
A Real Example: From Brookfields to Craggy Range in One Day
Here’s how our recent full-day private “Bike & Wine” tour unfolded.
Morning: Napier History and Coastal Views
We started with a relaxed drive and short walk around Napier:
- the 1931 earthquake story
- Art Deco façades in the city centre
- a run along Marine Parade, with stops for photos and local stories
It set the scene: guests understood the land, the rebuild and why Hawke’s Bay looks the way it does before we even stepped into a vineyard.
Late Morning: Brookfields – Hawke’s Bay’s Oldest Boutique Winery
Our first tasting was at Brookfields Vineyards, just outside Napier.
Founded in 1937, Brookfields is recognised as Hawke’s Bay’s oldest boutique family winery, with vineyards along the Tutaekuri River between Napier and Hastings. New Zealand Wine+2Brookfields Vineyards+2
The feel here is:
- intimate cellar door
- classic Hawke’s Bay varieties (Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon)
- a sense of history – you’re tasting from a winery that helped shape the region’s reputation.
It’s close enough to Napier to fit easily into a morning, and calm enough that you can actually talk to the team, ask questions and enjoy the wines without crowds.
Midday: Onto the Hawke’s Bay Cycle Trails
After Brookfields, it was time to change pace.
I teamed up with Jan at Napier City Bike Hire in advance (including e-bikes where needed), then dropped my guests at a flat, off-road section of the Hawke’s Bay Trails. From there, we set off on a relaxed 1.5-hour ride with several opportunities to spot native birds in the wetlands and enjoy an ever-changing backdrop of orchards and open countryside.
Along the way they got:
- country roads without the traffic
- river views and farmland
- that feeling of being in the landscape, not just looking at it through a window
Meanwhile, the van “leapfrogged” to meet them further along the trail:
- snacks, water, extra clothing all travelled with me
- any purchases from the morning tasting stayed safe and cool
- if anyone had tired legs, they always had the option to ride in the vehicle for a section
No pressure, no racing – just a gentle spin through the Hawke’s Bay countryside.
Afternoon: Craggy Range – Wine and Lunch Under Te Mata Peak
We finished the ride and continued by van to Craggy Range, one of Hawke’s Bay’s best-known wineries, set at the foot of Te Mata Peak in the Tukituki Valley.
Craggy Range is a family-owned estate famed for its premium wines and dramatic setting beneath the cliffs of Te Mata.
Here, My guests enjoyed:
- a relaxed tasting
- a long lunch, with local produce paired to the wines
- time to simply sit, chat and take in the view
- a renowned restaurant with views over the vines and towards the “Sleeping Giant” of Te Mata Peak. And even when the itinerary had a lot more options, we stayed at Craggy the rest of the afternoon, flexibility is always available.
No one had to think about the drive back. That’s my job.
Different Wine, Different Atmosphere
One of the best things about this kind of day is the contrast:
- Brookfields – historic, boutique, quietly traditional; a Hawke’s Bay original with a feeling of being “in on a local secret”.
- Craggy Range – iconic, dramatic, with a strong focus on estate wines and fine dining in a world-class setting under Te Mata Peak.
Linking them by bike and van lets you experience both without having to choose between “small and personal” or “big and famous”.
Why This Style of Tour Works So Well
For many visitors, especially cruise passengers or people here for just a couple of days, time is precious. A bike & wine day like this works because it is:
- Active but achievable
- Flat, easy trails; e-bikes available
- Around 2 hours of riding broken up by tastings and lunch
- Immersive but comfortable
- You feel the wind, smell the vines and actually move through the landscape
- But you still have the backup of a private vehicle, air-conditioning and safe transfers
- Flexible
- We can shorten or lengthen the ride
- Swap wineries to match your interests
- Add or remove sightseeing such as Art Deco Napier or a Te Mata Peak viewpoint (weather permitting)
And crucially: it’s private.
We move at your pace, not at the pace of a big group. If you love a particular wine and want to stay longer, we stay. If the view is perfect, we stop for more photos.
Is a Bike & Wine Day Right for You?
You don’t need to be a serious cyclist for this kind of tour.
A Hawke’s Bay bike & wine day is perfect if you:
- enjoy being outdoors but don’t want a full-on “sporty” ride
- love wine and food but like to balance it with some gentle movement
- want to see more than just cellar doors – rivers, farmland, Te Mata Peak, Art Deco Napier
- prefer a small, personal experience rather than a large bus tour
If that sounds like you, then Hawke’s Bay might be the easiest and most enjoyable “bike & wine” region you’ll visit in New Zealand.
Ready to Ride the Best Bits?
If you’d like to experience:
- Brookfields or other boutique wineries
- a gentle, scenic section of the Hawke’s Bay Trails
- a long, relaxed lunch at an estate like Craggy Range
- and have someone else handle the driving, timing and logistics
get in touch and ask about a private Bike & Wine Day with Premium Tours.
You focus on the views, the stories and the wines.
I’ll make sure you ride only the best bits – and arrive everywhere with a smile, not with tired legs.
