Wine plus gin, all in one circuit.

This tour is a smooth way to experience Mission Estate in Napier and finish with the underground cellar roaming vibe, plus you get proper tastings instead of a quick pour-and-run. I also like that you’re not stuck only on wine: the day includes a dedicated gin stop. One heads-up: it’s a lot of alcohol in a 5.5-hour window, so pace yourself and plan water breaks.

The routing works because it keeps you moving, but not rushed. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned van, get a live English guide, and enjoy tastings that actually come with context—why these wines and spirits exist, not just what they taste like. If your group wants a fun, relaxed afternoon with real local flavor, this fits well. One more consideration: it is not set up for wheelchair users.

Key highlights you’ll feel immediately

• Mission Estate Restaurant lunch in the Old Mission House: a gourmet platter plus a glass of wine you choose to match your food.
• Mission Cellars tasting with Marrist-era history: you’ll hear about the Mission House and the Marrist Order arriving in Hawkes Bay in 1851.
• Underground cellar access: after tasting, you can roam and get a closer look at the grounds and cellar spaces.
• National Distillery gin tasting in the National Tobacco Building: an iconic Art Nouveau-style Napier landmark sets the tone.
• Askerne Estate finale with cheese and biscuits: you’ll pair tastings with a complimentary cheese board, in a small family-run setting.
• Guide-led vineyard context: you may get a brief in-vineyard talk on grape growing practices in the region.

First stop: Mission Estate Restaurant and that gourmet platter

Your afternoon starts at Mission Estate Restaurant in Napier, in the Old Mission House setting. This is not just a place to eat. It’s part of the story of the estate and a classic Hawke’s Bay introduction.

Before the main lunch, you’ll get a gourmet platter with a glass of wine of your choice. The platter is built like a grazing board: cold meats and cheeses, fresh and dried fruits, breads, biscuits, and in many cases a hot seafood element. You’re meant to settle in, nibble, and then taste with your meal rather than tasting first and eating later.

Why I like this approach for you: it lowers the “tasting pressure.” Instead of rushing to decide what you like, you can think while your palate warms up with food. Also, wine tends to make more sense once you’ve eaten something salty or creamy. This platter does both.

The tone here is also very approachable. It’s a gourmet lunch, but it doesn’t feel like a formal event where you’re worried you’ll do the wrong thing with a glass.

Mission Cellars wine tasting: history you can picture

After lunch, you move into Mission Cellars for a detailed wine tasting. Expect a strong focus on where Mission Estate fits into Hawkes Bay’s story. A key part of the talk is the Mission House and the Marrist Order arriving in Hawkes Bay as missionaries during 1851.

You don’t just hear a date and move on. The guide frames the estate’s evolution, so the wines connect to a place that has been in motion for a long time. That makes the tasting feel less like product sampling and more like learning the region’s logic.

Then comes the best payoff: you’re free to roam Mission House and explore the cellar area, including the underground cellar spaces. This is the part many wine stops skip. Being able to walk around after the tasting helps you remember what you just learned. It also gives you time to look closely at the setting.

Possible drawback here for some people: if you prefer strict schedule timing over browsing, the roaming time can feel like it stretches your attention. It’s a good stretch, just don’t treat it like a photo sprint.

Napier gin at the National Distillery: an art nouveau setting

Next, the tour shifts gears to spirits. You head to the National Distillery, operating out of the National Tobacco Building in Napier’s Ahuriri area. If you like buildings as much as bottles, this stop is fun on its own. The venue is known for its distinctive Art Nouveau look, and the tour experience keeps that vibe light and friendly.

At the distillery, you’ll take part in a gin tasting with a guided format. You’ll also have the option, on special request, to taste rum. That’s a nice touch if your group has mixed tastes or if you want to expand beyond gin.

The tasting is relaxed, but it still gives you enough structure to compare styles. The key is that you can taste and talk at the same time instead of being marched through a rigid script.

Why this stop is valuable: gin often gets treated like a cocktail ingredient. Here, you get a chance to taste it as a product with its own personality—botanicals, balance, and the way Hawkes Bay tourism culture blends with Napier’s port history.

One practical note for your day: this is a second distinct tasting setting after Mission. If you’re drinking consistently, keep using the water and snack rhythm you started at lunch.

Askerne Estate finale: cheese boards, biscuits, and aromatic wines

Your tour ends at Askerne Estate for the final tastings. This is a smaller, family-owned and operated stop, and that matters. It tends to feel more conversational and less like a big, high-throughput production line.

Askerne is known for producing a number of aromatic estate-grown wines. The tasting experience here is described as generous, and you’ll get a complimentary cheese board to pair with your pours, including cheese and biscuits.

The estate also grows more than a dozen varietals, even though it produces about 100,000 bottles. Translation for you: you’ll likely find a range of flavors in the tasting flight, and the staff can talk about what those varietals mean in the Hawkes Bay growing conditions.

There may also be a short in-vineyard talk about grape growing practices in the region. If you like the “why” behind the taste—soil, climate, vines, timing—that extra bit can turn the last stop from enjoyable to memorable.

You’ll then head back toward your pickup locations, generally arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 pm.

What you’re really paying for: tastings, lunch, and time saved

At $134 per person for about 5.5 hours, you’re paying for three things at once:

• Multiple tasting fees handled for you (wine and gin)
• A proper lunch with a glass of wine included
• A guided route that takes you between Napier’s key spirits and wine spots

If you tried to do this as a DIY plan, you’d spend time coordinating transport and booking tastings at multiple wineries and distilleries. This tour gives you the structure and the pacing, plus someone else handles the “when do we go where” problem.

The alcohol factor also affects value. Because multiple tastings are part of the package, you’re getting more product experience than a single-winery half-day that includes just a couple pours.

Just keep your own priorities straight. If you want a calm day with one tasting and then a long unstructured lunch, this might feel more drink-focused than you want. If you love trying different styles in one afternoon, it’s a strong value.

The pace and alcohol reality: plan like a smart wine friend

This day is built around consecutive tastings. That’s fun. It’s also a lot.

Here’s how I’d approach it so you enjoy the tour without the end-of-day wobble:

• Use the platter lunch as your anchor meal. Eat before you keep tasting.
• Drink water between tasting pours. The vehicle includes water, which helps.
• If you’re buying bottles, don’t make final decisions right after you’ve tried multiple flights. Take a breath, then choose based on what you liked most with food.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to savor, you’ll be happy. If you go full-throttle early, you’ll feel it by the last stop.

Day-of logistics that matter (without the headache)

The tour is built for convenience. Pickup is included, and you’ll want to be in your hotel lobby about 5 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.

The tour goes ahead in all weather conditions. Since Napier can be unpredictable, wear comfortable shoes that handle uneven ground and possible wet patches.

It is also not suitable for wheelchair users. If you need accessibility support, you’ll want to confirm options with the operator before booking.

If you have dietary requirements, you can request catering with prior notice. That’s important here because the lunch platter is a key part of the experience, and you’ll want the food to work with your needs.

Who this tour suits best

This tour is ideal if you want:

• A mix of Mission Estate wine culture plus a serious gin tasting stop
• An easy afternoon plan without arranging transport between multiple venues
• A guided explanation of Hawkes Bay wine and spirit-making in plain language

It may be less ideal if you:

• Prefer minimal drinking or a non-alcohol-centered outing
• Need wheelchair accessibility
• Want a long standalone winery day with minimal tastings

Should you book Napier’s winery plus gin tour?

Yes—if your idea of a great day in Hawkes Bay is tastings that actually connect to place, plus a lunch that feels like part of the tour rather than a token sandwich. The Mission Estate start gives you a strong foundation, the National Distillery stop is a fun Napier setting change, and Askerne ends with pairing that feels friendly and relaxed.

Book it with a couple smart moves: eat early, sip water, and keep your bottle purchases for when your brain is still clear. If you do that, you’ll leave with a better sense of New Zealand wines and spirits—and you’ll have seen Napier’s distinctive “old building to modern taste” spirit in the process.

FAQ

How long is the Napier winery and gin tasting tour?

It runs for about 5.5 hours.

What’s included in the price?

You get all tasting fees plus the Mission Estate lunch platter with a glass of wine, water in the air-conditioned vehicle, and a live English guide.

Do I get picked up from my hotel?

Yes. Pickup is included, and you should be ready in your hotel lobby about 5 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

Is there lunch on the tour?

Yes. You’ll have a gourmet platter lunch at Mission Estate Restaurant, and it includes a glass of wine with your choice.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour goes ahead regardless of weather conditions.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes, dietary requirements can be catered to with prior notice.

Is gin tasting included every day of the week?

Not always. During low season, no gin tasting is offered on Sundays, and wine tasting at Church Road Winery may be added instead.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll be walking around winery and distillery areas.