Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s leading producer of red wines and the second largest wine region in the country. Winemaking in the region dates back to 1851 when a group of French Marist missionaries established Mission Estate, in the very earliest days of European settlement. Today, there are more than 4,000ha of wine producing grapes in the region, and over 70 wineries. The source of over 80 per cent of New Zealand’s Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes, Hawke’s Bay has established a reputation for superior quality red wines. The warm maritime climate and varying landscape also produces New Zealand’s richest and most complex Chardonnays. Wine touring is a natural in this region, complemented by an outstanding array of vineyard restaurants.

A visit to La Grande Maison, the imposing headquarters of Mission Estate, remains a highlight of any wine tour. New Zealand’s oldest winery, Mission Estate has never lost sight of its French heritage. The driveway to the estate takes you past a row of Muscat grapes that have been grafted from the original stock bought to Hawke’s Bay by the Marist Fathers. Still operated by the Marists, the Brothers of the Marist Order have refined their winemaking skills with visits to France.

Named by Captain James Cook after the local Maoris tried to kidnap the servant to his Tahitian interpreter, Cape Kidnappers is the site of a large gannet colony. The gannet is a large, white, sea bird with black-tipped flight feathers, a golden crown and a wingspan of close to two metres. When they find a shoal of fish, the birds fold their wings and plunge straight into the sea. The gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers is believed to be the only mainland sanctuary in existence. Between October and March, about 20,000 gannets build their nests at Cape Kidnappers, hatch their young, and prepare them for their long migratory flight.

The largest city in the region is Napier, which lies close to the neighbouring city of Hastings. In 1931 this east-coast city was devastated by an earthquake and in its aftermath, the citizens of Napier rebuilt their city predominantly in the art deco style that was fashionable at the time. Today, Napier has many outstanding examples of this distinctive 1930s style.

The golf course at the Farm at Cape Kidnappers has drawn fresh superlatives from the world’s golfing press. Designed by Tom Doak, the layout makes inspired use of the fingerlike projections that jut out into the sea to create several spectacular and challenging holes. When the sea wind is blowing – and it often does – this is no place for faint hearts. One of these clifftop holes, the 15th, is known as the Pirate’s Plank. From the tee shot, the fairway tapers until it measures barely 20 metres across where it meets the green, with a sheer cliff face on one side plunging down to the sea. Adding to the drama of the scenery, airborne gannets ride the wind above the course, searching for fish in the waters below. This is seaside golf at its finest.