LOCAL GETAWAYS: MATAKANA
MOMENTS TO MATAKANA There is more to wine tasting in the Matakana region than incredible award winning wines. The combination of art, food and family is a consistent theme and offers many reasons to visit this bustling community not far from Ponsonby. Some of the fine wines and award winning craft beers already have a place on local Ponsonby wine lists or upon the shelves of iconic wine and beer merchants like Glengarry. So if you prefer to stay close to home you can still enjoy the flavours and spirit of Matakana without going far. Of course almost all the vineyards and galleries offer online sales direct to the public so it is easy to bring a little of Matakana right to your doorstep. We talked to a few people from businesses in the area to find out what makes this destination a wonderful local getaway for our readers.
Heron’s Flight www.heronsflight.co.nz Less than an hour from Ponsonby is Heron’s Flight Vineyard, the only vineyard growing solely Italian grapes and producing authentic Italian style wines in the country. Former long-time Herne Bay locals (since 1969) Anne and Dave Hoskins bought north facing land in Matakana in the 80s, inspired by the vineyard endeavours of their neighbours who started Goldwater Estate wines on Waiheke.
Heron’s Flight Vineyard
64 PONSONBY NEWS+ August 2020
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)