Matakana
Matakana: The Eclectic North, Blending Bordeaux with Tuscany
An hour north of Auckland, the picturesque Matakana region is a thriving hub of art, food, and wine that feels worlds away from the city. Often promoted as "Auckland's answer to Tuscany," Matakana boasts a warm, humid maritime climate and volcanic clay-loam soils that enable it to grow one of the most diverse selections of grape varieties in New Zealand.
While it shines with Bordeaux-style reds (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc) and elegant Syrah, Matakana’s real point of difference is its innovative embrace of Italian varietals like Sangiovese and Dolcetto.
With small, family-owned vineyards, stunning sculpture trails, and a vibrant local market scene, Matakana offers a distinctly eclectic and inspirational wine journey where you’re likely to meet the passionate winemaker behind the bottle.
