Cruise Ship Days – North Canterbury and Waipara Wine and Beer Tour
Please scroll down for map, timetable, and venues
STOPS
Have a close look at all the stops below as a lot of them require bookings in advance. We have attached all their contact details for you. We always recommend pre booking lunch. We would also recommend pre booking all tastings or lunch for the wineries.
Groups of 8 or more are welcome on our tours but please call us on 0800 6937 2273 and let us know which wineries or venues you have booked. This is due to logistics and numbers in our buses. We advise larger groups to pre book tastings in order to avoid disappointment.
1. Old School Collective & Cafe (027 633 4232) or (lisa@osc.nz)
Open: Mon-Fri 8am-3pm
Old School Collective & Cafe is a destination for those with a love of boutique stores, good coffee, and wonderful people. Visit the Office Cafe, Billies Kitchen Shop, Room four, Louis Who?, Studio 7, Brows n Beauty, and Woven Veranda.
2. The Mill Waikuku & Cocoa Black Cafe (03 312 7978 or sandersonpottery@gmail.com) & (03 312 700 or waikuku@cocoablack.co.nz)
Open: Thurs-Mon 11am-3pm for the Mill Waikuku, 7am-3.30pm DAILY for Cocoa Black Cafe
Well worth the stop is the The Mill complex. Bundled together under one historic roof, the businesses that make up The Mill offer an abundance of rare and unexpected finds. If you’re looking for a bargain, visit The Emporium of Lost Treasures as it specializes in vintage clothing, homewares, second-hand books and other intriguing items.
3. Out of the Bleu Gift shop (03 261 5111) or (info@outofthebleu.co.nz)
Open: Wed-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm
Out of the Bleu is a gorgeous little store brimming with beautiful homewares and gifts. Small space in big style.
4. The Amberley Hotel (0800 023 929) or (admin@amberleyhotel.co.nz)
Open 7 days
The Cork & Crown Restaurant offers a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere & talented chefs passionate about using only the freshest, premium quality and local ingredients, you’ll find something to satisfy any taste with their homemade creations and local favourites.
Also at the Crown & Shepherd Bar, you’ll find a vibrant community, great yarns and a service second to none – unwind over a cool beer and some live sports action.
5. The Nor’wester Cafe (03 314 9411) or (info@morwestercafe.co.nz)
Open: Tues-Sun 8am-3pm
This “quaint” little cafe has been a destination point for so many over the years, and renowned nationwide for their quality of food and service to provide exactly what you are looking for. You won’t be disappointed by the Nor’wester Cafe.
6. Pegasus Bay Winery (03 314 6869) or (info@pegasusbay.com)
Open Thurs-Mon 10am-5pm
Pegasus Bay is owned and operated by the Donaldson family, pioneers of the local wine industry who are recognized globally for producing some of NZ’s very best wines. The house style is generous, complex, and impeccably balanced. Grapes come from their home vineyard, which is now almost 40 years old.
As well as the current vintages on offer, there are large format bottles and a blackboard with a selection of ages wines for purchasing at very reasonable prices.
Tastings: $20pp & refundable with any wine purchase of six bottles or more.
Groups: We cater for groups up to 10 people. Sorry, but we are unable to provide tastings for any group larger than this.
7. Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park (03 314 9198) or (quarrycliffs@gmail.com)
Open: Wed-Sun 10am-5pm
Embark on an unforgettable journey through their remarkable Sculpture Trail. Immerse yourself in the captivating ambience of disused quarry, harmoniously blending with the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Waipara Valley’s dramatic landscape.
Adults: $16, children (16 and under): free
8. The Bone Line Winery (03 314 8699) or (sales@theboneline.co.nz)
Open: 11am-4pm DAILY
Harvesting only fruit from their family vineyard, everything is grown and made on The Boneline site. They are extremely involved and fortunate in having full control of every aspect that contributes to what’s in the bottle – apart from the weather!
The harsh climate coupled with mature vine age means the vineyard produces low volume, intensely concentrated, premium quality perfectly suited to boutique wine productions.
9. Georges Road Wines (021 121 8669) or (kirk@georgesroadwines.co.nz)
Producing some of NZ’s finest Syrah and Pinot Gris, as well as the perennial customer favourite, their Rose. Georges Road Wines love sharing their wines, and the stories of their vineyard. Book your visit online so Kirk can personally guide you through.
Tasting: 5 wines for $15 pp, refundable with a purchase of 2 bottles or more.
10. Terrace Edge Wines (022 151 3013) or (info@terraceedge.co.nz)
Open: Thurs-Fri 11am-4pm
Terrace Edge pride themselves on offering wines that are completely organic. Their wines fully express the unique terroir of the vineyard, characterized by exceptional ripeness, texture, minerality, and a rich aroma profile – all of which are rooted in the distinctive qualities of the Glasnevin gravel soil.
11. Torlesse Wines (03 314 6929) or (winery@torlesse.co.nz)
Open: 11am-5pm DAILY
Torlesse Wines grape intake includes the Winery Block Pinot Noir plus other vineyards which are spread throughout the Waipara region, giving a diversity of growing conditions which imparts a range of characters and complexity to ALL their wine styles.
Delicious platters, and hot dishes including peppered squid or wedges are offered at the Cellar Door- bookings required.
12. The Old Glenmark Vicarage Wine (03 3146 775) or (info@glenmarkvicarage.co.nz)
Open: 9am-8pm DAILY
Built in 1906, The Vicarage is a beautiful example of late 19th century architecture set amongst 100+ year old trees and established grounds. Small quantities of each vintage are handcrafter at our neighbors’ winery by a team with a passion for quality craftsmanship, wines of distinction and an impressive list of awards and medals.
Booking essential, minimum group size of 6 – tour of house and gardens with Damian, finishing up with a complimentary wine tasting of the Vicarage’s own wine label. $25 pp.
13. Waipara Springs Winery (03 314 6777) or (cellardoor@waiparasprings.co.nz)
Open: 11am-4pm DAILY
The vineyard of 26 hectares is planted with Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Merlot with the wines crafted in two differing styles, the fresh fruit driven wines under the Waipara Springs label and the structurally driven wines of the Premo label. Waipara Springs provides a truly authentic estate and dining experience.
14. Black Estate Wines (03 314 6085) or (bookings@blackestate.co.nz)
Open: 10am-4pm DAILY
Black Estate is a family owned, biodynamic winery on the slopes of Waipara Valley, North Canterbury. All elements that make up their vineyards are considered, especially how they interact and make one healthy, vital whole.
Enjoy our wines with local and organic produce cooked by Olly Le Maitre and his team. Open Thurs-Mon from 11.30am-4pm. Bookings required.
The Cellar door is open 10am-4pm DAILY. Bookings preferred (maximum 6).
15. Mountford Estate Winery (https://www.mountfordestate.com/contact)
Bookings required, available Mon-Fri: https://www.mountfordestate.com/contact
The Mountford Estate is set in a park like environment on the North West face of the waipara Valley’s eastern hills below the Teviotdale range. The soils, which are marl (active limestone), add a fine minerality to the finished wines.
16. Greystone wines (03 314 6100) or (cellardoor@greystonewines.co.nz)
Open: Thurs-Mon 11am-4.30pm
Whether you pop around for a wine tasting or settle in for a long lunch, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Greystone Cellar Door. Let chef Theo Dubost delight you with his acclaimed locally-inspired menu, while our Cellar Door team shares the perfect pairing for your palate.
17. Waipara Winehouse (03 314 6777) or (cellardoor@waiparasprings.co.nz)
Open: TBA
Formerly known as The Mudhouse/Waipara Hills, Waipara Winehouse is under new ownership. Fully reopening in summer 2024.
19. D.O.T.I Eatery & Bar (03 314 0220) or (eat@doti.co.nz)
Open: Thurs-Mon 11.30am-late
We want everyone who walks through our doors to enjoy our delicious food options and our range of drinks in a relaxed, casual environment. So we thought we’d make that goal part of our name – D.O.T.I. – Don’t Over Think It!
20. Brew Moon Brewing Company (03 314 8036) or (sales@brewmoon.co.nz)
Open: Wed-Fri 3pm-8pm (at least), Sat-Sun 12pm-8pm (at least)
Brew Moon Brewing Company is North canterbury’s original craft brewery, producing an established range of high quality, popular beer styles alongside a selection of more exotic seasonal brews. Alongside our beers, we pour a small selection of local wines, and provide a range of wood-fired pizzas, burgers and small plates.