Wine or gin? You get both in Napier. This afternoon tour strings together Mission Estate and the National Gin Distillery, then finishes with wine and cheese at Askerne Estate. I love how you taste across multiple styles (Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in the whites, plus reds like Shiraz and Bordeaux-style blends), and I also love that the guide turns each stop into practical, real-world context rather than a lecture. One drawback to plan for: the exact schedule can shift with winery opening hours, so you should expect a little variation day to day.

At $99 per person for 4.5 hours, you’re not just buying tastings—you’re also getting pickup/drop-off, a live guide, a gin session, and a cheese-board pairing. Bring comfortable shoes because you’ll be moving around estate tasting areas, and note this tour isn’t set up for wheelchair users.

Key things to know before you go

• Mission Estate (est. 1851) gives you a first taste in a Victorian, two-story tasting space with vineyard views
• National Gin Distillery is housed in an Art Nouveau National Tobacco Building, with a tasting of five gins
• Askerne Estate is a smaller-production Hawke’s Bay player (around 100,000 bottles) with 13 varietals to sample
• You’ll taste 4 to 7 wines per winery, split across reds and whites, guided by someone who can explain what you’re noticing
• Cheese board + biscuits land while you’re at the vineyards, not back in town
• A souvenir glass from Mission Estate makes the day feel a bit more like a keepsake, not just a sample flight

Why this Napier afternoon tour is such an easy win

Napier is a good place to do a tasting tour because everything is close enough to connect in a half-day loop. This one keeps the energy friendly: you start with wine, add gin in a setting that looks like it should be in a museum, and then end with a seated tasting that pairs well with the long drive-and-talk rhythm of Hawke’s Bay.

What makes it work for me is balance. You get enough structure—two winery tastings and one distillery tasting—to feel like a real experience. You also get room to decide what you like without being forced into a huge menu of samples.

And yes, the combo is smart. Wine is your baseline, but gin gives you a second flavor world, where citrus, botanicals, and spice notes show up in a way that wine lovers often find surprisingly fun. If you’re the person in your group who gets bored during wine-only tours, this is a great fix.

Getting picked up, getting settled, and staying comfortable for 4.5 hours

The tour includes pickup and drop-off, plus a live English-speaking guide. That matters more than it sounds, because Hawke’s Bay roads can be scenic but not ideal if you’re trying to manage rides between multiple cellar doors.

Most of your day is driven between stops. It’s timed as an afternoon outing, and you’re back in Napier for drop-off in the early evening. That early return is a practical win: you’re not stuck committing to a full-day wine crawl, and you can still plan dinner the same night.

You’ll want comfortable shoes. These are estate locations, and even if tastings are seated at some points, you’ll still move between viewing areas and tasting rooms. Also keep in mind the tour isn’t suitable for mobility impairments or wheelchair users, so if mobility is tight, you’ll want another option.

A small but real detail: the vehicle used on these tours is typically described as clean and modern, which helps the whole day feel smoother. When you’re booking a tasting day, comfort during transit is part of the value you’re paying for.

Mission Estate: the 1851 classic where Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay set the tone

Mission Estate is the first winery stop, and it carries weight right away. It was established in 1851, and the tasting hall sits in a two-story Victorian mansion with views over the vineyards. That combination—history plus scenery—sets your palate up for the rest of the afternoon.

You’ll be tasting between 4 and 7 wines here. The whites matter in Hawke’s Bay, and the tour leans into that reality. Chardonnay is the dominant white variety produced in the region, and you should also expect a Sauvignon Blanc tasting option at Mission Estate. On the red side, dominant varieties in the Hawke’s Bay mix include Shiraz and Bordeaux blends, so you’ll likely see reds that fit those styles too.

If you like learning what’s going on in the glass (not just what’s good), this stop is especially useful. You’ll get a chance to compare whites early, before the gin tasting resets your senses, and you’ll also get a first look at how the estate’s long timeline shows up in its current winemaking approach.

One more thing I really like: you take home a Mission Estate branded wine glass souvenir. It’s not the same as buying a bottle, but it’s a physical reminder that makes the day feel more complete.

Possible drawback? Like most tasting flights, you’re tasting more than you’re analyzing. If you’re the type who wants to linger on a single wine for a long, slow chat, you may wish the stops allowed more time per pour. The good news is the guide can help you prioritize your favorites so you don’t feel rushed even if the schedule is tight.

National Gin Distillery in the Art Nouveau Tobacco Building

After wine, you switch gears to gin at the National Gin Distillery. The most memorable part here is the setting: it’s in the Art Nouveau National Tobacco Building. Even before you taste, that kind of space makes the tasting feel like a destination, not a random stop.

Your gin tasting is five gins. That structure is ideal for most groups. Five is enough variety to notice patterns—citrus notes vs. juniper-forward styles, spicier botanicals vs. softer profiles—without turning it into a never-ending flight.

This is also where I think the tour is smart for non-wine people. If you don’t care about grape varieties, you can still enjoy what you’re smelling and tasting in a very direct way. And because you’re comparing multiple gins side-by-side, you’ll start picking out your personal style preferences quickly.

One practical heads-up: there will be no gin tastings on Sundays. So if you’re picking a weekend departure, double-check the day you’re traveling. (The tour also notes that the program can shift based on winery schedules, so if you’re traveling during a period with unusual hours, have a flexible mindset.)

Askerne Estate: seated wine tasting with NZ cheese among the vines

Next comes Askerne Estate, about a 20-minute drive after the distillery stop. Askerne is producing a relatively limited volume—around 100,000 bottles—and you’ll sample wine across 13 varietals (at least across the tasting flight options offered that day).

This stop is designed to slow down a touch. You’ll have a seated tasting, and it includes a complimentary cheese board of New Zealand cheeses. Tastings are paired with the kind of “eat and compare” vibe that makes the day feel less formal and more like a relaxed afternoon.

The pairing matters because it helps your palate recalibrate after tasting multiple styles. Cheese also brings salt and fat into the mix, which can make wine flavors feel clearer—especially the way whites show acidity and reds show structure.

If you’re a notes person, this is a great time to write down what you liked from Mission Estate, then compare it with what you taste here. The best part is that you’re not doing the comparison in a car or standing in a doorway—you’re sitting down with actual food on hand.

One possible drawback: seated tastings can feel more structured, and if you like lots of back-and-forth during pours, your enjoyment depends on how interactive the tasting staff and guide can be that day. It’s not listed as a problem, just something to keep in mind.

The guide factor: why Ross-style hosting makes the day better

A huge share of what people love about this tour is the host. In many departures, the guide is Ross, and his mix of industry background and local context shows up in the way he explains what you’re seeing and tasting.

From past experiences with this tour format, I’ve seen patterns that really improve the value:

• The guide shares stories and practical details, not just facts on a signboard
• He’s comfortable answering questions, even when the group is small
• He keeps the ride interesting with commentary that ties the region together

Ross also has local ties—there are references to him working in orchards and the wine world—so the commentary tends to connect to how Hawke’s Bay works day-to-day, not just what it sells.

This is a big deal because a wine-and-gin tour can easily become repetitive. When the guide adds context—how varietals behave in the region, why certain tasting choices make sense, what to look for in the glass—the day starts to feel like you understand what you’re buying later.

Price and value: is $99 per person fair for what you get?

At $99 per person for about 4.5 hours, you’re paying for more than liquid in a cup. You’re paying for:

• Pickup and drop-off (so you’re not driving and navigating)
• A live guide
• Tastings at 2 wineries
• A National Gin Distillery tasting (five gins)
• A New Zealand cheese board pairing
• A Mission Estate souvenir glass
• Bottled water

That’s the core value. If you were to do this on your own, you’d still be spending on tastings, plus transportation, plus the time and hassle of booking multiple cellar doors and fitting them into a single route. You might be able to create a cheaper version, but it usually costs you effort, scheduling stress, and often loses the guide-driven “what to notice” value.

There is one optional add-on you should know about: beer tasting fees aren’t included. The tour notes this as optional, so if beer is part of your group’s preferences, budget a little extra.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys guided tastings and wants a structured tasting day without the planning headache, this price feels aligned with what you’re getting.

How to enjoy the tastings like a pro (without turning it into homework)

You don’t need to be a wine expert to get a lot out of this. The point is to taste and compare, then let your preferences guide you.

Here’s how I’d handle it:

• Pick 2 or 3 favorites early, then compare later stops to those. If you try to remember everything, you’ll forget the best stuff.
• Use the water between tastings. It’s included, and it helps keep your palate from blurring out flavors.
• Order your questions around the glass. Ask what to notice: acidity vs. oak vs. fruit weight, or how gin botanicals change from one pour to the next.
• Eat something before you start. The tour includes a cheese board, but it doesn’t list a full meal, so arriving hungry can make later flavors feel sharper than you want.

If you like writing notes, bring a small notebook or notes app. One issue I’ve seen with tasting tours is the wish for a simple way to remember what you liked. You’ll fix that in 10 seconds with a pen.

Real-world gotchas: days without gin, days without beer, and seasonal changes

This tour is built around winery and distillery schedules, so you should plan around a few rules:

• There will be no gin tastings on Sundays
• There will be no beer tastings on Mondays or Tuesdays
• The program may vary due to wineries adjusting opening days/times or itinerary time constraints

That last point is the one that affects your expectations. While the tour is set up for two wineries and the National Gin Distillery, the exact winery lineup or sequencing can shift seasonally. In past departures, some groups have experienced different cellar door combinations when schedules aligned differently, so keep your mind flexible and focus on the overall format: guided tasting + pairing + scenery.

Who should book this tour?

Book it if you want:

• A guided Napier wine day that’s not overly long
• A mix of wine plus gin (so the day stays interesting)
• Time spent at estates with proper tasting setups and a seated finish with cheese
• A driver/guide who can explain what’s in front of you while you taste

This tour is especially good for couples and small groups who enjoy learning while still keeping the mood relaxed.

Skip it if:

• You need wheelchair access or have mobility limitations that make estate walking difficult
• You want a totally self-guided tasting schedule (this is structured for a reason)

Should you book the Napier afternoon wine and gin tasting tour?

If you’re trying to choose between a wine-only tour and a mixed day, I’d lean toward booking this one. The value isn’t just the number of tastings—it’s the pairing of Mission Estate’s classic style, gin in a standout building, and Askerne’s seated cheese-board tasting. You get a full afternoon loop that feels complete, and you’re back early enough to enjoy your evening in Napier.

If you hate uncertainty, read this as: expect minor adjustments based on season hours, not a total surprise. Bring comfortable shoes, keep a flexible mindset for the second winery, and you’ll be set for an afternoon that tastes like Hawke’s Bay while giving you a memorable gin twist.

FAQ

How long is the Napier afternoon winery and gin tour?

The duration is 4.5 hours.

What does the tour include?

It includes pickup and drop-off, a tour guide, tastings at 2 wineries, a National Gin Distillery tasting, a New Zealand cheese board, and a Mission Estate branded wine glass souvenir. Bottled water is also included.

How many wines will I taste at each winery?

Each winery offers between 4 and 7 wines for tasting, split between reds and whites.

How many gins are tasted at the distillery?

At the National Gin Distillery, you will taste five gins.

Are there days when gin tastings are not available?

Yes. There will be no gin tastings on Sundays.

Is beer tasting included?

Beer tasting fees are not included. Beer tasting is optional, and there are no beer tastings on Mondays or Tuesdays.

What should I bring?

Comfortable shoes.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.