23 Nelson Wineries on the Nelson Wine Trail© www.nelsontasman.nz
23 Nelson Wineries on the Nelson Wine Trail

24 Best Wineries in Nelson

© www.nelsontasman.nz

Where to Find the Nelson Vineyards

There are many reasons to love the Nelson region in New Zealand. The obvious one is for its sunny climate. This, mixed with the weathered gravels of an ancient river system stretching from St Arnaud to the coast has created the perfect gravel threaded clay soils for growing wine grapes. From the Moutere Hills to the foothills of Richmond, the region is scattered with vineyards. Many of these vineyards have their cellar doors open for tastings of their magnificent creations. Because of the close proximity of most Nelson wineries, it’s easy to hop on a bike to explore a selection. A popular way of getting between the Nelson wineries is via the Great Taste Trail, which you can read more about in Mountain Biking in Nelson Tasman.

All the Nelson wineries mentioned below are family-owned, meaning that you’ll often meet the winemakers themselves when visiting their cellar door. It’s a great way to experience their passion!

So whether it’s by bike, by a bus tour, or just experiencing one Nelson winery, you’ll find a winery to fulfil your foodie side in Nelson!

1. Fossil Ridge Wines

On the Richmond Foothills, a mere 20 minutes drive from Nelson city, Fossil Ridge Wines offers cellar door tastings, a cafe, brunch and platters. Why not try their macadamias and olives too? Fossil Ridge Wines is open in summer Wednesday to Sunday.

Location: 71 Hart Road, Richmond

Pexels© Pexels

2. Milcrest Estate

A big name in the wine-making industry, Milcrest Estate produce award-winning Aromatics, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Dolcetto and Montepulciano. They offer a selection of gourmet platters, cheeseboards, and drinks including beers. They are open in summer Friday to Monday or in winter by appointment.

Location: 114 Haycock Road, Hope

Milcrest Estate© Milcrest Estate

3. Greenhough Vineyard

For a guilt-free tasting experience, check out Greenhough Vineyard for their organic wines. Just a short distance away from Richmond, it’s worth popping into their cellar door for a tasting. They are open on Sundays from Labour Weekend (typically around late-October) to Easter Wednesday (typically around mid-April).

Location: 411 Patron Road, Hope

Pexels© Pexels

4. Brightwater Vineyards

If you like Pinot Noir, then you can’t miss Brightwater Vineyards. Taste award-winning Pinot Noir at their spacious cellar door in Hope. Enjoy a laid-back and unpretentious atmosphere. They are open Monday to Fridays all year round.

Location: 546 Main Road, Hope

Brightwater Vineyards© Brightwater Vineyards

5. Falcon Ridge Estate

Falcon Ridge Estate is passionate about their methods. They boast their award-winning wines being handpicked in their elevated vineyard. In turn, that gives visitors to their cellar door a spectacular view overlooking the Waimea Plain, Nelson and Tasman Bay. Flacon Ridge Estate is open every day all year round.

Location: 5 Higgins Road, Spring Grove

Pexels© Pexels

6. Kaimira Wines

It doesn’t get more alternative than Kaimira Wines. Try their organic wines while checking out their on-site art gallery. They boast some unusual varieties, as well as all the favourites. Kaimira Wines opens between November and March, Monday to Saturday.

Location: 97 Livingston Road, Brightwater

Pexels© Pexels

7. Seifried Estate

This open year-round vineyard is perfect for all seasons. In summer, relax with a glass of wine out in their vineyard garden or huddle next to the fireplace in winter. Restaurant hours are often changing so give them a call before your visit.

Location: Corner of State Highway 60 and Redwood Road, Appleby

Seidfried Estate© Seidfried Estate

8. Te Mania Wines

Another cool and quirky Nelson winery, Te Mania Wines produces some fantastic organic and biodynamic wines in their cellar door. Additionally, don’t miss the world’s biggest grapevine rugby ball! (Yes, did you know that the first rugby game in New Zealand happened in Nelson?) Te Mania Wines are open daily in summer and from Monday to Friday in winter.

Location: 108 McShane Road, Richmond

Te Mania© Te Mania

9. Richmond Plains

Visit this wine producer who produced New Zealand’s first Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from organic and biodynamic grapes. These forward-thinkers offer around seven different varietals, as well as Te Mania wines. Richmond Plains are open daily in summer and from Monday to Friday in winter.

Location: 108 McShane Road, Richmond

Richmond Plains© Richmond Plains

10. Waimea Estates

Visit this winery all year round for some wine tastings outdoor or indoor amongst the vines. The Waimea Estates are open daily.

Location: Appleby Highway, Hope

Waimea Estates© Waimea Estates

11. Rimu Grove Winery

With some fantastic views over the Waimea Inlet, try some Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling in the Rimu Grove Winery. They are open daily in summer.

Location: Bronte Road East, Road 1, Upper Moutere

Rimu Grove Winery© Rimu Grove Winery

12. Ruby Bay Vineyard

Try some Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Reisling, Sauvignon Blanc and Methode Traditionelle along with some awesome views across the Tasman Bay. Ruby Bay Vineyard is open Monday to Friday in summer.

Location: 271 Pomona Road, Ruby Bay

Amos Bar-Zeev on Unsplash© Amos Bar-Zeev on Unsplash

13. Kina Beach Vineyard

For a coastal setting along with your wine tasting, check out the Kina Beach Winery. You can only visit the vineyard between Monday to Friday by arrangement only.

Location: 21 Dee Road, Kina

Pexels© Pexels

14. Kina Cliffs Vineyard

The Kina Cliffs Vineyard is your one-stop-shop for views of the sea, mountains and the vines! Taste award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Rose just 2km off the Tasman Great Taste cycle trail. Find out more in Mountain Biking in Nelson Tasman.

Location: 38 Cliff Road, Kina

Jorge Royan© Jorge Royan

15. Blackenbrook Vineyard

Although most vineyards in Nelson are family-owned, you won’t get that family feeling more than in the Blackenbrook Vineyard. To reflect this, they are only open on selected long weekends or by appointment.

Location: 50 Baldwin Road, Tasman (turn off at the Tasman General Store

Blackenbrook Vineyard© Blackenbrook Vineyard

16. Riwaka River Estate

A small family-owned vineyard producing unique and distinctive-character wines, the Riwaka Estate grown grapes from limestone soils. They are open daily between October and April. While you are in the area, we recommend a visit to the short walk leading to the Riwaka Resurgence (end of Riwaka Valley Road), a river emerging underneath the mountains of the Kahurangi National Park.

Location: 60 Takaka Hill Highway, Riwaka

Riwaka Rivere Estate© Riwaka Rivere Estate

17. Dunbar Estates

Formerly the Rabbit Hill Estate, Dunbar Estates is nestled along the Motueka River surrounded by the foothills of the Mt Arthur Range. Check out their lavender farm along with their rustic cafe serving hand-crafted wines. They are open Sundays from September to October, Friday to Sunday from October to November, and Wednesday to Sunday from December to April.

Location: 1469 Motueka Valley Highway, Ngatimoti

Jorge Royan© Jorge Royan

18. Neudorf Vineyards

A vineyard and a deli! Neudorf Vineyards serves their wines with artisan cheese and olives from their baby deli in the Neudorf garden. They are open daily from October to the end of April.

Location: 138 Neudorf Road, Upper Moutere

Neudorf Vineyards© Neudorf Vineyards

19. Himmelsfield Wines

A small vineyard with a big punch, Himmelsfield Wines is grown from a 1.2ha (3-acre) hand-managed vineyard. Try their Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet. Find them open daily between November and Easter (typically April).

Location: 100 Gardner Valley Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere

Himmelsfeld Wines© Himmelsfeld Wines

20. Glovers Vineyard

For a sense of tradition, visit the Glovers Vineyard. Try long-lived and well-structures red and whites at their cellar door. Varieties include Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Shiraz, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. What’s more, they are open daily.

Location: Gardner Valley Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere

Photo by Matthieu Joannon on Unsplash© Photo by Matthieu Joannon on Unsplash

21. Gravity Winery

Enjoy some of the best views of the Southern Alps and Tasman Bay while tasting a glass of organic wine at Gravity Winery. Treat yourself to some seasonal cuisine too. They are open daily all year. Note that Gravity Winery was formerly called “Mahana”.

Location: 243 Old Coach Road, Upper Moutere

24 Nelson Wineries on the Nelson Wine Trail© George Guille Media - www.nelsontasman.co.nz

22. Harakere Farm

If you like home-produced everything, then this is the place to be. Try Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Pinot Rose from the 3-acre vineyard, as well as olive oils, cheeses, jams, preserves and home-baking. They are open on selected weekends.

Location: The Old Post Office Country Store, 1381 Moutere Highway, Moutere Village

Pexels© Pexels

23. Kahurangi Estate

For a touch of history, taste wines from some of the oldest vines in the South Island. The Kahurangi Estate presents hand-crafted and award-winning wines in their cellar door that is open daily.

Location: Corner of Moutere Highway and Sunrise Road, Upper Moutere

Emanuel Feruzi on Unsplash© Emanuel Feruzi on Unsplash

24. Moutere Hills Vineyard

Serving both Moutere Hill wines and local beers, there’s something for everyone at the Moutere Hills Vineyard. Enjoy regular live music on Sunday afternoons throughout summer. They are open daily throughout summer, which their Fox ‘n Grapes bar is open on Fridays from 5pm.

Location: Eggers Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere

Pixabay© Pixabay

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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