Your Guide to Vineyard Exploring in Tairāwhiti

Embark on a delightful journey through the vineyards of the Tairāwhiti region, where wine enthusiasts are treated to a symphony of flavours at some of New Zealand's finest wineries. Do you have a group wanting to explore the range of wineries on offer? The team at Experience Gisborne will help curate the perfect cycle or van tour.  

The cellar doors at the boutique wineries dotted throughout the region are open and ready to welcome you for a tasting, a long lunch, and of course to share their love of wine with you!

WRIGHTS VINEYARD & WINERY

Wrights Vineyard & Winery is a popular destination for wine lovers in the Tairāwhiti region! They produce wines from the oldest Syrah and Chardonnay plantings in New Zealand – if you’re a fan of these two varieties, you won’t want to miss a visit to Wrights! They also grow Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Zinfandel,  Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc.

The family-friendly Cellar Door is open for winery tours and tastings on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 12pm and offers plenty of places to sit both indoors and outdoors, as well as several play areas for the children and live music most weekends.

For those looking for a unique cellar door experience, Wrights offers a ‘Build your own picnic’ experience – you select from a range of gourmet food options, they provide the basket and all the bits you need for a memorable picnic among the vines!

Cellar door:

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 12pm – 4pm

You’ll also find them at the Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9:30am – 12:30pm.

Website: wrightswines.co.nz

MATAWHERO WINES

10-minutes south of Gisborne is the popular Matawhero Wines where visitors can enjoy gourmet platters and wines among the vines and olive trees – a truly superb wine-tasting experience! Matawhero produces naturally dry-farmed wines which offer more intense grape flavours; their Irwin Chardonnay is an exceptional vintage and tribute to the winery’s founders. For the rosé lovers, we highly recommend the award-winning Pinot Rosé – a beautiful drop on a warm summer day with a delicious platter of fresh cheeses, dips and savoury treats.

Another highlight when visiting Matawhero Wines is the underground cellar which is home to many older vintage Matawhero wines, as well as other iconic New Zealand wine producers.

If you’re looking for the ultimate winery getaway, check out Matawhero’s luxury accommodation. These well-appointed cabins offer a unique accommodation option for those who want an immersive wine tasting experience.

Cellar door:

The Matawhero Wine Cellar Door has various opening times – click here to find out more. Bookings are advised.

Website: matawhero.co.nz

BUSHMERE ESTATE

Bushmere Estate Wines is a 100% family-owned Gisborne winery located in the Central Valley region that grows mainly Chardonnay grapes to produce some of the best tasting wine in the region. The vineyard is 17 hectares in the Central Valley Region of Gisborne District, growing mainly Chardonnay grapes, along with smaller plantings of Merlot, Malbec , Pinot Gris, Montepulciano and Sangiovese. Their fine dining experience at the on-site restaurant, The Vines, is open for lunch year-round and is the perfect way to sample not only the delicious wine, but also the freshest local produce prepared by their talented chefs.

The restaurant:

Open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday, 11am – 3pm. Dinner is by arrangement for special occasions or private functions.

Website: bushmerevines.co.nz

TW WINES

TW Wines are grown and handcrafted along The Golden Slope, Gisborne’s very own Côte d’Or and, since their 1998 vintage, have won over 40 national and international awards. Their wines are known for their power, complexity, and elegance.

Throughout summer, TW Wines offer vineyard tours and private wine tastings – a wonderful way to learn about the history of the vineyard from the winemakers themselves.

To organise a tasting, contact Geordie on 021 222 0135 or Paul 021 864 818.

Website: twwines.co.nz

THE GISBORNE WINE CENTRE

Short on time but don't want to miss out on the Gisborne goodness? The Gisborne Wine Centre is the city’s premier wine cellar and tasting room and offers guided tastings to highlight the best Gisborne wines in the region - perfect for grabbing a couple of bottles before you head home. The onsite restaurant Crawford Road Kitchen offers a lavish selection of divine dishes to enjoy for dinner, so grab a bite to eat while you're there!

Website: gisbornewinecentre.co.nz

Gisborne Wine Map

Download the Gisborne Wine Map for a detailed map and more information about each of our local wineries.