Heron's Flight - Warkworth

Wow! This charming, family-owned vineyard and winery exceeded all expectations during my husband’s and my spontaneous trip to New Zealand. The wine was exquisite—undoubtedly the highlight—but what truly made our experience special was the warmth and hospitality of the family running the place. Luke went out of his way to give us a delightful tour of the grounds, making our visit unforgettable. It was clear that this family pours their heart and soul into the craft of winemaking. If you find yourself in the Matakana region of Auckland, I highly recommend making a stop at this vineyard a part of your journey. A heartfelt thank you to the entire family at Heron’s Flight for their outstanding hospitality and, of course, the wonderful wine!

This winery offers incredibly good and unique wines. We tried Flight A, which allows you to sample three different wines. The rosé stood out with its distinct taste and color, and we really enjoyed it. The two reds we tasted had a light yet flavorful and intense profile. The hosts were delightful, and we had a wonderful conversation with Luke, who not only presented the wines but also shared interesting anecdotes about the wine-making process. He even provided us with excellent recommendations for places to visit in the area. Don’t hesitate to stop by and try their wines; you will definitely appreciate visiting this fantastic family-run winery.

What a true pleasure it is to visit Heron’s Flight Vineyard! Owner and winemaker David, along with his exceptional wines, made for a remarkable experience. I ventured in for a tasting with no particular expectations, only to discover that Heron’s Flight is New Zealand's sole Italian specialist winery. After 30 years of working with these Italian clone vines, David has truly mastered his craft. I appreciated that the tasting notes are straightforward and free from exaggerated claims. Instead, you gain insights into the 'why' behind the wine, including details about the vintage's climate, the timing of the grape harvest, and the fermentation methods. This allows you to explore the flavors and intricacies of the wine on your own. The vineyard is open every day, so if you find yourself near Warkworth or Matakana, don’t miss the chance to be whisked away to Tuscany without leaving Auckland.

Great tasting of red wines. Definitely recommend it if you like Italian wine. A smaller operation and quiet locale

We had a wonderful time during our visit to Heron's Flight Vineyard. The friendly staff welcomes you to their beautiful vineyard, and the wine was amazing! We stopped along our drive from Bay of Islands to Auckland, and it was an excellent way to break up the trip. Meeting their resident vineyard dog was also a highlight of the trip :