Volcanic Hills Winery Tasting Room (at the top of the Skyline Gondola)

At the top of the Skyline Gondola on Mount Ngongotaha, Volcanic Hills Winery’s tasting room pairs New Zealand wines with wide views over Lake Rotorua. Its wines are made in Rotorua from grapes grown in regions including Marlborough, Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay. Choose a tasting to compare styles, or settle in with a glass and a bread-and-dip platter. The relaxed setting suits a midday pause or a drink as the city lights come on; weekday visits are suggested for a quieter tasting.

Wines from across New Zealand

Volcanic Hills makes its wine in Rotorua, using grapes grown in other parts of New Zealand. Its range draws on regions including Marlborough, Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay, bringing several well-known wine-growing areas together in one tasting room.

The selection includes varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Rosé. Some wines offer less familiar combinations, including a Chardonnay made using oak and stainless-steel methods. You can ask the team about what is in your glass and what you tend to enjoy; the tasting is intended to help you explore without relying on technical wine vocabulary.

A tasting stop at the gondola summit

The tasting room is at the top of the Skyline Gondola complex on Mount Ngongotaha. Large windows look across Lake Rotorua and the surrounding hills, forests and mountains. On a clear evening, the view includes Mokoia Island and the city lights.

A five-wine tasting is one way to compare the selection, and fortified wine is also available to taste. If you would rather linger over one glass, you can settle in with a drink and something to eat. A bread-and-dip platter has been paired with the wines; the room also works as a casual stop if you have already eaten elsewhere at the complex.