The Matakana Mahurangi wine trail has become a favourite weekend destination for Aucklanders. In just an hour they can leave the congested city behind to take in some county air and enjoy the distinctive wines on offer at the wineries.

The region has grown steadily in the last 15 years or so, and while there are no large wineries, the boutique establishments offer a diverse selection of wines. The first winery on the road north is located just south of the delightful country town of Warkworth, but the trail begins in earnest 10 kilometres from the town on Matakana Road. A cluster of wineries is located around the township of Matakana, further south around Mahurangi, and in the coastal regions bordering Leigh.

The region is well­suited to viticulture as it enjoys long summers and warm temperatures, has a lower humidity than Northland, and the rolling, hilly nature of the country provides good drainage.

The district has a long winemaking history. Governor Sir George Grey planted the first vines over a century ago in Matakana, but as in the rest of New Zealand, viticulture was abandoned and only recently revived. The new winemaking pioneers are a diverse and passionate group with quite different approaches to growing, winemaking and marketing. Some sell all their wine through their own cellar door and restaurant, should they have one, while others distribute nationally and internationally.

A good number of wineries are very well set up for visitors and provide excellent facilities, with dining and picnic areas for the many who scoot up to the region on day trips or weekends.

In addition to the wineries, the Matakana/ Mahurangi region has a great deal to offer, with two regional parks on the doorstep and a host of attractions for young and old. An abundance of roadside stalls offer a wide selection of fresh fruit, olives, chestnuts, venison and other produce.

Matakana­Mahurangi wineries are best known for their excellent Bordeaux­style reds, which enjoy a nationwide reputation, but they are also producing classy Pinotage, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, as well as some fine sparkling wine.