Gisborne Wineries & Breweries
The country's largest grape growing region, Gisborne is famous as the chardonnay capital of New Zealand. White wines dominate but there has been success with merlot and pinot noir varieties. Most local vineyards offer tastings and tours by arrangement, and some have restaurants and picnic facilities on site. There is also a brewery and a cidery open to the public.
Wineries:
- Amor-Bendall Wines
24 Moana Road, Wainui Beach
This beachside vineyard produces pinto gris, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, rose, cabernet franc and gewürztraminer. Cellar door sales are available 7 days from 8am to 6pm, phone 06 868 0928.
- Brunton Road
44 Brunton Road, Patutahi
These single vineyard wines are predominantly made in the vineyard and include chardonnay, merlot, viognier, pinot gris and gewürztraminer.
- Bushmere Estate
166 Main Road, SH2 Matawhero
A 17 hectare vineyard producing mainly chardonnay, along with gewürztraminer, viognier, rose and merlot. Tastings and function facilities available.
- Hihi Wines
53 Bond Road, Ormond, RD 1
An award-winning boutique winery based in Ormond producing chardonnay, gewürztraminer, viognier, rose, pinotage, malbec and merlot malbec wines. Tastings are available at the vineyard or at the Gisborne Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings.
- Kirkpatrick Estate
569 Wharekopae Rd, RD2
This award-winning vineyard on the Patutahi plateau produces merlot, chardonnay, malbec, gewürztraminer and cabernet sauvignon. Visitors are welcome at the cellar door (daily in summer, winter by appointment) for tastings, tours and anti-pasto platters.
- Longbush Wines
This vineyard produces largley chardonnay and merlot. Tastings are available at the Wharf Cafe, 60 The Esplanade, in the centre of Gisborne City.
- The Millton Vineyard
119 Papatu Road, Manutuke
This award-winning fully-certified organic vineyard specialises in riesling, chenin blanc and late harvest dessert wines. Visitors can enjoy the garden vineyard with BYO picnic area. The cellar door is open Monday to Saturday, and tutored wine tastings are available by appointment.
- TW Wines
Back Ormond Road, RD1
A 30ha vineyard offering a selection of award-winning wines including chardonnay, semillon, merlot, malbec and viognier. Tours and tastings are available by arrangement.
- Wrights Vineyards
202 Wainui Road
A certified organic vineyard producing gewurztraminer, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, methode traditionelle, merlot and syrah, and a small amount of late harvest semillon. Wine tastings are offered by appointment.
Breweries and Cideries:
- Sunshine Brewery
109 Disraeli Street, Gisborne
A micro-brewery and shop producing a range of award-winning, fresh and unpasteurised all-malt beers. Tours by appointment.
- Bulmer Harvest Cidery
91 Customhouse Street, Gisborne
An award-winning range of cider and mead liqueurs. Cidery tours, free tastings and cellar door sales are available.