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Summer is the time of year when we take time to unwind
and enjoy the sunshine. If part of your enjoyment involves visiting
wineries then we have a few ideas to make it more pleasant, in addition
at the bottom of the article are a few of the wineries that our listed
on this website as being family friendly.
When visiting wineries it is best to go when you know your children
will be at their best:
Young children in general are in better mood in
the morning, than in the afternoon. Twenty minutes is normally the
maximum a young child will be happy to hang around you before they start
to want some attention. With one parent normally the child's favourite,
let that person have the first opportunity to try the wines, allowing
them to take the children away should the children get impatient.
If you think that your children may get in the way a bit, see if any
of the wineries have a small toy box with some toys for your children to
play with. Keeping a small bag in your car, containing a few books and
small toys and pen and paper, can help where no toys are provided.
However Selecting a winery that is happy to have children accompany
their parents is another thing that makes this process even
easier.
Ascension
Vineyard and Cafe in Matakana, one hour north of Auckland
is one such winery that makes this process enjoyable. We rang up on New
Years morning to book a table for coffee, advising them that we had five
children in tow with five adults. They not only accommodated us with a
suitable size table, in addition they provided us with a table right
next to the sandpit and wonderful service.
Alway make sure you have decided who the drive is before you start on
your trip to the winery. It is very easy to drink more wine when you are
wine tasting than you think.
Some wineries just like making it easier for parents take
Church Road Winery
in
Napier has the country's only wine museum which 'fix-it' kids find so
much fun. The older kids and adults can also enjoy the petanque court.
Choosing to go to vineyards that have these type of attractions will
make the visit enjoyable for all age groups. We have listed some other
wineries below that are welcoming of families.
If you plan to get at a winery, especially in the evening, find out if
they are happy to have children as guests. Some vineyards are happy to
have children during the day time, but reserve the evenings for adults
only.
In some of the smaller wineries holiday times can be very busy and
staff may not be up to speed coping with larger than normal numbers of
visitors as in larger wineries. If you are visiting such a winery for
brunch it may pay to take some favourite food and a bottle of water for
your child, just in case your five minute wait turns into a twenty
minute wait. It shouldn't happen of course, but sometimes things just
don't go to plan for even some of the best wineries.
However sometimes you may wish you never made the effort to go to a
winery when your child decides to throw their very first full scale
tantrum just as the first drop of wine gets poured into the tasting
glass. If that is the case, just smile and know that it will get easier
in time!
Family Friendly Wineries
All wineries listed below would appreciate parents and caregivers
of children to take full responsibility for children. Remember
that other customers use these wineries and consideration should be
taken to create a pleasant time for all.
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Whangarei - Upper North Island
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Longview Estate
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State Highway One, On the entrance to Whangarei.
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Ph: 09 438 7227 Web:
www.longviewwines.co.nz
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Email:
longview.wines@xtra.co.nz
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Let your children play on our grass area or have a swing while
you try our wonderful wines (well, it's an idea!).
Matakana - Upper North Island
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Herons Flight Cafe and Winery
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49 Sharp Road, Matakana.
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Ph:
09 422 7915
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Email:
heronfly@wk.planet.gen.nz
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Web:
www.heronsflight.co.nz
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Hours:
Open from 10 am daily
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One
of the pleasures about Herons Flight is that relaxed feeling you get
when you arrive. The food is wonderful, the view magical and the
wine is great. Children are most welcome here. A great venue for all
concerned.
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Ascension Vineyard and Cafe
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480 Matakana Road, Matakana.
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Ph:
09 422 9601
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Email:
ascension@xtra.co.nz
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Web:
www.ascensionvineyard.co.nz
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Hours:
Weekends 9 am to 5 pm
Weekdays 10 am to 4 pm (winter)
11am to 5 pm (summer)
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With
grapevines as a back drop, a sandpit for the kids and delicious food
and their own wine you may not want to leave. An excellent venue to
go with children - but also without.
Auckland West - Upper North Island
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West Brook Winery
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Ararimu Valley Road,
Waimauku. Ph: 09 411 9924
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Enjoy tasting some of the
wonderful wines here. You may enjoy trying them at our beautiful picnic area.
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Matua Valley Wines
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Waikoukou
Valley Road, Waimauku. Ph: 09 411 8301.
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We have a playground for the children to enjoy while you enjoy
our wines.
Napier - Central North Island
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Church Road Winery
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150 Church Road, Taradale,
Napier. Ph:06
844 2053
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Tour the country's only wine museum which 'fix-it' kids find
especially riveting. They'll enjoy the winery tour, too, and can
play petanque in the park-like grounds.
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Martinborough - Lower North Island
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Martinborough Wine Centre
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6
Kitchener Street, Martinborough.
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Ph: 06 306
9040
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Try the variety of wines available around
Martinborough here at the Wine Centre.
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Blenheim - Upper South Island
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Montana Brancott Winery
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State Highway 1, Riverlands,
Blenheim.
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Ph: 03 578
2099
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The South Island's leading wine tourism experience comes
complete with a safety-conscious wine-themed playground. Kids
find the winery tour fascinating.
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