Thursday, Day 33 - Feb. 8 - 10AM to 6PM, Napier and Hastings, North Island, New Zealand

Napier and Hastings are unique twin cities located within the region of Hawke's Bay on the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island. The area is blessed with a Californian-Mediterranean climate, boasting one of the highest sunshine averages in the country. The area is also dotted with colorful vineyards and orchards, with some of the most fertile farmland in the country. Within the region are more than twenty of New Zealand's finest vineyards,

This is also a new port for us and we are eager to try some of the area wines on our free ship’s tour, Hawkes Bay Wine Trail at 10:30AM for 4 1/2 hours through the picturesque countryside to the Gimblett Gravels, an area which has become quite famous for its production of high quality wines. The very special soils and unique climatic conditions - together with the expertise of local winemakers - are key elements to producing ultra-premium wines in the Gimblett Gravels district, which represents 32 wineries and wine growers. A distinctive feature of this area is that it is up to three degrees Celsius warmer during the day in summer and autumn, compared with most other areas in Hawkes Bay. The evenings are also warmer because of the thermal conductivity in the stony soils.

We first drive through the Art Deco town of Napier where every thing was rebuilt in the 1930's after a devastating earthquake. We then visit the first of two wineries, Moana Park which has a different take on wine making with no additives. They freely admit that this makes their wines unpredictable from year to year. We thought that the wines were very astringent!

From there we drive out into the countryside to Te Mate a jagged point of a mountain. After we twist and turn and are guided part of the way by a police escort since the road is not wide enough for the bus and an oncoming car, we are treated to a stunning view of the whole bay area.

Our final visit is to Mission which is Hawkes Bay's most iconic vineyard and New Zealand's oldest wine producer, started in 1838 by a group of French missionaries. The vineyard's beautiful old seminary building is set on the hills above Napier and has been faithfully restored. It is home to the Cellar Door, walk through time and history in a setting that complements both the old and new. The Mission vineyard consistently produces some of the country's most sought-after wines which we sample. These wines are much more to our liking especially the 2017 Late Harvest. It is a dessert wine along the lines of a German ice wine without the freezing temps since this part of new Zealand doesn’t get that cold.

The tour is rushed as drive time was more than allowed for, but it is a good tour and Mission is a beautiful place.

Again we are worn out by the time we get back to the ship a few minutes past all aboard time. We have a Prime 7 date with a friend. So after a good meal and good conversation we are more than ready for bed,