Gourmets invited to hit Northland's subtropical wine and food trail

Foodies and wine lovers are being encouraged to develop a taste for Northland via a food and wine trail through the region.

Whangarei-based agency Enterprise Northland is targeting "gastro-tourists" in Auckland and further south, as well as incoming foreign visitors, as it mounts a taste, learn and buy campaign showcasing the best of sub-tropical food and wine experiences in the north.

"We know a lot of people want these food and wine experiences and we're making the point that Northland is a subtropical wine-growing region," says food and wine trail project co-ordinator and former Cuisine magazine editor Lyn Barnes, who lives in Kerikeri.

"To me, we're the leisure-pleasure region."

Between 30 and 40 venues from Wellsford north are likely to feature initially on the mainly state highway-based trail when it raises its first glass in April or May.

On the menu will be "signature dishes" or platters of food that Ms Barnes hails as value-added or niche market tastes of the Northland region.

These can include local salamis, cheeses such as Mahoe and Fromage du Nord, yoghurts, sauces - especially those with tropical flavours - Makana chocolates, honey, macadamia nuts, olives and olive oils, organic meat and vegetables, pineapples, cherimoya desserts and fruit juices.

It's hoped a selection of the best wines from Northland's 10 wineries will be available for trail quaffing.

Inclusion on the trail venue list is not automatic.

Participants are being selected according to criteria such as location - which should be mainly, but not limited to, the east-west Twin Coast Discovery route or other highways - availability of produce, variety and point of difference.

Trail stops will involve venues in farm gate, artisan (niche market Northland food producer), winery, guided food experience and restaurant, cafe and bar categories.

Ms Barnes says all stops on the trail must deliver a worthwhile visitor experience that, with quality and freshness, highlights Northland produce in one or more of the categories.

About 20,000 food and wine trail maps will be printed by April and distributed to Northland, Rodney and Auckland visitor centres, with reprints as required.

The maps will be updated at the end of this year and revised annually.

Ms Barnes made her mark in food and produce promotion in the Bay of Islands by starting a regular farmers' market in Kerikeri 15 months ago.

It now has 55 food and producer stalls.