Hawkes Bay winery listed among world's best

A Hawkes Bay winery has appeared alongside world-renowned vineyards in Burgundy, Tuscany and California in a major travel guide's top 10 list - a win being hailed as a boost for the fast-growing wine tourism market.

Black Barn Vineyards, in Havelock North, was picked among the world's greatest vineyard inns and hotels by the long-running and best-selling US travel guide Frommers.

The guide - which also features Italy's medieval Castello di Vicarello and the prestigious Chateau Andre Ziltener in Burgundy - pitches Black Barn as "the place to go" with family, another couple or a small group.

It lauds the winery's luxury accommodation, its summer amphitheatre, its accessibility to the rest of the region and its Black Barn Bistro, last year named winery restaurant of the year by Cuisine magazine.

The winery's cellar door and events manager, Francis De Jager, regards the rating as an important gain for all Kiwi wineries.

"To be on that list is a huge credit for Hawkes Bay and New Zealand - it's just going to help channel more visitors here."

Overseas tourists accounted for a third of visitors to the winery, and most sought a "wine experience" rather than a quick tasting.

"They're not just coming here to taste wine, they're wanting to do everything," Mr De Jager said.

"There's no shortage of luxury destinations to visit in New Zealand or around the world, so to get on a list like this, you're really getting your name out there.

"We are not a big operation but we set ourselves a standard, and when we get pats on the back like this, it's fantastic for the motivation."

New Zealand Winegrowers global marketing director Chris Yorke agreed the win would help lure more highly sought-after wine tourists.

A recent Tourism NZ study showed tourists visiting New Zealand for its wineries stayed longer and spent more per day.

THE TOP 10
* Algodon Wine Estates, Mendoza, Argentina.
* Chateau Andre Ziltener, Burgundy, France.
* Castello di Vicarello, Tuscany, Italy.
* The Yeatman Hotel and Wine Spa, Porto, Portugal.
* Kenwood Inn and Spa, Sonoma County, California.
* Black Barn Vineyards, Hawkes Bay.
* Steenberg Hotel and Winery, Cape Town, South Africa.
* Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
* Can Bonastre Wine Resort, Spain.
* The Louise, Barossa Valley, Australia.