Gimblett Gravels Winery Ride
in Hawke's Bay
On Yer Bike Winery Tours has been the official bike hire partner for the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District since 2000. On a typical self-guided bike ride, you can visit 3 to 4 of the 6 cellar doors. The terrain is 100% flat, and the distance covered can be up to 16km with distances between wineries 5–15 minutes apart by bike.
Our Rides
Explore the wineries of the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District
On Yer Bike Winery Tours runs self-guided winery tours through the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District. Starting from our base at Roy's Hill — just 15 minutes from Hastings — you will be able to visit 3–4 of the six wineries on the route.
Located in the heart of one of New Zealand's premier wine regions, Gimblett Gravels wineries are famous for producing bold, award-winning reds such as Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as elegant whites. The Gimblett Gravels is defined by its stony, free-draining soils, which produce the bold, concentrated reds the district is known for.
It is the shorter of our two routes at 14–16km, taking in a short loop through the district. If you'd prefer a longer ride, our Bridge Pa Triangle route covers 24–26km. Both routes are on completely flat terrain, making them among the most accessible winery cycling routes in New Zealand.
Choose from e-bikes, regular bikes, and tandems. We also have kids' bikes and trailers if you're bringing children along.
Gimblett Gravels Ride Overview:
- Distance: approximately 15–18km depending on your route, on 100% flat trails.
- Capacity: Most visit 3 to 4 wineries in a day.
- Service: Free wine collection from cellar doors.
Searching Availability...
Prices
| (Per Bike) $ | Sat | Fri & Sun | Wed & Thur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Bike Adult | 65 | 60 | 55 |
| Electric Bike | 95 | 90 | 85 |
| Tandem | 130 | 120 | 110 |
What’s Included.
We’ve got everything you need for a fun and comfortable day's biking around local wineries. When you hire a bike from us, you’ll receive:
- Well-maintained bikes: Every bike in our fleet is serviced and ready to go — baskets included.
- Helmets and a proper briefing: We fit every rider before you leave and run through the route so you know exactly where you're going.
- Roadside Assistance: In the unlikely event of a flat tire or mechanical issue, we offer on-call roadside assistance to get you back on the road quickly.
- Wine collection: Buy at any cellar door before 3pm and leave it there — we collect it and have it waiting at base when you return. Your bottles come back safely, ready to take home.
What we don't include:
- We do not transport riders or bikes to start in other locations and will not collect bikes or riders at the end.
- We don't do transfers/transport to and from accommodation.
- Wine tasting fees are not included in price. These are an additional $15-$30 per person depending on where you go. Food is not included either.
Top Wineries in Gimblett Gravels
Here are the wineries on the Gimblett Gravels route:
- Trinity Hill (2km from start): One of the most recognized wineries in the region, Trinity Hill produces some of the region's most awarded Syrah, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux-style blends. A good first stop — they pour across a full range including their well-regarded Syrah and Chardonnay.
- Unison Vineyard (4km from start): A small, family-owned winery, Unison specializes in handcrafted wines made with a focus on sustainable practices. Their bold red blends are the standout — a small, family-run operation worth the stop.
- Swift Wines (6km from start): A young winery, a young winemaker making unique and original wines.
In addition, you can visit two of the three nearest Bridge Pa wineries to make up five wineries to visit:
- Ash Ridge Winery (200m from start): While located at the edge of the Gimblett Gravels, Ash Ridge is worth a visit for its award-winning Syrah and Viognier. Worth a stop for the Syrah and Viognier — it's right at the start of the route, 200m from base.
- Oak Estate (2km from start): A bistro in the vines — stop here for lunch if you're timing it right.
- Radburnd Cellars (4km from start): Kate Radburnd's range of Syrah and Chardonnay on display and for you to taste.
Each stop on the Gimblett Gravels route offers something different — from Trinity Hill's award-winning Syrah to Radburnd's multi-producer cellar door. The winemakers are often on-site and happy to talk. That's worth more than any tasting note.
Winery opening hours - Winter season.
| Winery | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Ridge Winery | — | — | — | — | — | 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM | 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Oak Estate Cellar Door | — | — | — | 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM | 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM | 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM | 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Radburnd Cellars | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Swift Wines | — | — | — | — | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Trinity Hill Winery | — | — | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Unison Vineyard | — | — | — | — | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which wineries in the Gimblett Gravels have lunch?
Oak Estate and Unison Vineyard are the primary stops for lunch and platters in the gravels. But you can also get platters at Trinity Hill, Ash Ridge, and Swift Wines.
How does the Gimblett Gravels route compare to the Bridge Pa Triangle for cyclists?
The Gimblett Gravels circuit is shorter at approximately 15–18 km depending on your route compared to Bridge Pa's 21-27 km, making it a slightly easier and more compact day out. Which means less time in the saddle between stops and more time with a glass in hand — ideal if you want a more leisurely pace or are newer to cycling.
Do the Gimblett Gravels wineries charge for tastings?
All cellar doors charge a fee of between $15–$20, which is sometimes waived if you purchase bottles of wine.
Do I need to book winery tastings in the Gimblett Gravels?
For groups of 5 or fewer, you can usually drop in. Groups of 6 or more must book in advance. We recommend booking regardless during peak summer months.
Can I visit both Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa wineries on the same ride?
You can — because the two regions border each other, it's possible to include wineries from both on a single day's ride. Ash Ridge and Oak Estate sit right on the boundary and appear on both routes. However, trying to cover both regions fully in one day is ambitious; most riders choose one region per day to enjoy it properly.
