Staycation: Auckland wineries, we've got you sust. . .

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Increasing numbers of wineries around Auckland region are becoming Certified Sustainable operations.

This means they've adopted holistic programmes to manage their vineyard and winery practices in order to protect the environment while efficiently and economically producing the best wines they possibly can. One fantastic bonus is that more than a handful of them are located within coo-ee of the city meaning you can zoom out for a tasting, a tour, a picnic, a platter of some description or a full-blown gourmet meal and still make it back home in time to watch the news.

Here is a selection of day-trip destinations for the sustainably-inclined ...

Northern Lights:
Fifty minutes drive north of Auckland and awarded 'Best Winery Experience' by Metro Magazine, Brick Bay Vineyard at Snells Beach is an absolute must-visit. Boasting one of the most jaw-droppingly scenic sites in the region, it produces succulent pinot gris, summer-friendly rosé and concentrated Bordeaux-style red blends - but I've also been told they serve sensational coffee. Peckish? You can pick over a freshly prepared platter on the deck of The Glass House, Brick Bay's spectacular all-weather tasting room before working it off on the 2km world-renowned Sculpture Trail.

Living proof of Brick Bay's commitment to their ecological environment is in the cacophony of croaking coming from the various lakes on the property. Permeable skin means chemicals and pollutants will flow directly into frogs' bodies with nasty consequences. A large amount of energetic amphibians on hand is always testimony to a healthy environment.

Brick Bay is open from 10am to 5pm daily. Find it at Arabella Lane, Snells Beach, Warkworth, ph 09 425 4690 or visit brickbay.co.nz

Shelley Trotter and Gary Heaven own Mahurangi River Wines, a small but tastily formed winery restaurant 60km north of Auckland. Chardonnay, syrah, merlot, malbec and cabernet sauvignon are grown on the 50-acre property which has covenanted areas of native bush, open pasture and 17 acres of north-facing vines. With fresh fish always on the menu alongside local oysters and their legendary lamb's fry, stopping here for lunch is a no-brainer. The winery and restaurant are separated by a glass window so you can watch the team working from the comfort of your table - unless of course it's vintage and chances are you'll be asked to come and help hand-plunge the reds.

Make sure you try their stunning cellar door-only Reserve Chardonnay and ask Gary to take you for an arm-wave around the vineyard or a tour of the winery.

Mahurangi River is open from 11am to 4pm, Thursday to Monday, ph 09 425 0306. Find it at 162 Hamilton Road, Warkworth. Mahurangiriver.co.nz?

De-stressed out West...

Allow yourself 30 minutes to charge out along the North-Western motorway, sail through Kumeu and Huapai then hang a right at Waimauku onto Waikoukou Valley Road and you'll find yourself curling up the driveway of the beautifully refurbished Matua Valley Wines cellar door. Overlooking sprawling vineyards and located in the historic 130-year-old cottage known as 'The Hunting Lodge', Matua is open 360 days of the year from 10am to 5pm.

Cellar door manager and self-described 'vintrepeneur' Emma Leoon and her team will be on hand to guide you through their smorgasbord of wines from across the country. Those wanting to delve deeper into the winemaking process could enrol in a 'Blending Session' where you'll be able to get hands-on with different samples and finally blend your own Matua wine.

"Our next one is set for February 18th" says Leon, "It does however tend to get messy so we'll provide you with your own Matua apron to take home as well as a bottle of your own personally blended wine".

Cost $55 per person. ?Phone the cellar door on 09 411 5501 to book or visit matua.co.nz

A mere 20 minutes from downtown Auckland? however is Kumeu Estate, not just a top New Zealand winery, but ?arguably an aristocrat amongst the world's chardonnay producers. Founded by the Brajkovich family back in 1944, at the helm today is Melba who runs the business with her four children Michael, Marijana, Milan and Paul alongside winemaker, Nigel Tibbits, who has been with the winery since 1974.

With nine different wines currently available to taste, there is definitely something for everyone who enters the cellar door. Chardonnay lovers will be interested to learn that Michael Brajkovich MW introduced the 'Burgundian' style of chardonnay production to New Zealand back in the 80s through the use of malolactic fermentation (or MLF). MLF is a natural process which biologically reduces the acidity in wine while adding flavour complexity and a degree of softness or 'creaminess'.

Kumeu River is open Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm and Saturdays from 11am at 550 SH16 Kumeu, ph 09 412 8415. Visit kumeuriver.co.nz?

Island Style...

Jump on the Fullers Ferry at the downtown terminal and 40 minutes later you'll land at Waiheke Island, home to a host of New Zealand's premier Certified Sustainable wineries and vineyards. Wine touring on Waiheke is a breeze now that you can take your own car across or try the new Fullers 'Island Hopper' bus which travels three routes across the island - just tell the driver where you want to stop. Situated right in the centre of Waiheke Island overlooking rows of vines rolling down to the ocean is Peacock Sky Vineyard.

Owners Rob and Connie are always on hand to welcome you into their 'Tasting Room' where their 30-minute casual, unpretentious wine and food pairing lessons are always popular. You'll also get to sample their 2010 Methode Traditionnelle which is finding fans far and wide.

"It's classically made, but as pinot noir doesn't grow well on the island we made the risky call to blend 20 per cent cabernet sauvignon into 80 per cent chardonnay," says Rob, "but the reaction has been amazing! The colour is just gorgeous and there's a hint of berry on the finish which is just lovely."

Try and catch a glimpse of the flock of wild peacocks and give Sky the cellar door dog a scratch behind the ears and treat yourself to a famous Peacock Sky platter.

152 Trig Hill Road, ph 09 9504386 or visit peacocksky.co.nz

Head out east to Man O' War Vineyards where their shiny new tasting room is now one of the Waiheke's most popular destinations. Encapsulated within the 4500-acre Man O' War Station, the 150 acres of vineyards comprise of 90 individual hillside parcels which are carefully tended and blended to create a range of ten wines to suit every palate.

Must-tastes include the massively popular Ponui Island Pinot Gris 2011, created from fruit grown on the world's smallest wine region, a tiny island just off Waiheke accessible only by the tide. It's a luscious, spicy white wine which works beautifully with anything on their platter menu. The Gravestone Sauvignon Semillon has an incredible style all of its own and fans of muscular, multilayered reds definitely need to try the Dreadnought Syrah or forever kick themselves for missing out. Ph 09 372 9678, find it at Man O' War Bay Road, or visit manowarvineyards.co.nz

Southern Style...

Turanga Creek Vineyard, situated 30 minutes drive south of the CBD in Whitford, is the Auckland region's first fully-certified organic winery and now that the 'cow pat pit' is in, they're 100 per cent committed to their conversion to biodynamics. "We have the same growing conditions as Waiheke" says owner Mandy Allen. "Gorgeous sea breezes, great soils and sunshine give us the ideal mix for growing great wine. I always encourage people to try our viognier (vee-yon-yay) because it's so light, tropical and really different."

In addition to sampling wines, visitors can relax in the just-opened 'Down to Earth Wine Bar' and fill their boots with organic breads, cheeses, plump, juicy Clevedon oysters and delicious deli platters from 11am - 8.30pm, Thursday to Sunday. Saturday, February 11th sees Turanga Creek hosting Aloe Blacc, the John Butler Trio and Annabel Fay on the More FM Summer Vineyard Tour (www.ticketek.co.nz).

Find it at 133 Whitford Park Road, ph 09 530 8936 turangacreek.co.nz

Villa Maria Estate might be one of the most well-known brands in the country, but there are still plenty of Aucklanders unaware of this fantastic facility right on their doorstep just minutes from the airport and situated smack bang in the middle of a volcanic basin in Mangere. Overlooking the Ihumateo vineyard and open 7 days for lunch, Villa Maria's Café provides a place to enjoy a glass of wine, maybe share a platter or indulge in the full a-la-carte menu. In the tasting room take time to try some of their lesser-known wines like Verdelho, Viognier, Arneis or Grenache and learn how wine is made by taking one of the daily tours around the state-of-the-art winery.

Always a superb venue for a concert, make sure you check out 80s stars Hall and Oats on January 29 plus catch Gin Wigmore, The Muttonbirds and Avalanche City play the Classic Hits Winery Tour 2012 concert on Saturday, March 3.

Villa also has a comprehensive resource explaining their sustainability programs on their website. ?Find it at 118 Montgomerie Road, Mangere or visit villamaria.co.nz