Sip in the City: New Zealand’s Best Urban Wine Experiences

This was originally published on Neatplaces.co.nz and has been republished with permission.

All over New Zealand we are blessed with incredible wine experiences in our own urban backyard.

Whatever your vino preference, from a classic Marlborough sauvignon blanc to a Central Otago pinot noir or perhaps an interesting blend from a distant European vineyard, you don’t have to travel far to taste and enjoy a few glasses (responsibly naturally! ).

It can enjoy a taster flight in a cozy wine bar or an afternoon spent moving from one urban wine spot to another, expanding your knowledge and delighting your taste buds. And, of course, it’s not just excellent wines that shape these experiences, but also the considered food options that often accompany a tasting session or are part of a long lunchtime experience in a vineyard.

Think carefully curated cheese boards and lavish platters you can’t refuse. So the next time you need a little escape, try one of these places nearby.

READ MORE:
† Nine of the best cellar doors in Hawke’s Bay
† Five of the best Gibbston wineries
† Three of Central Otago’s Best Basement Doors

The urban winery

3 Ossian Street, Napier, Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay is known for wine making and many incredible vineyards. If you find yourself in Napier, with limited time and still want a great wine experience, why not try The Urban Winery.

Located in Napier’s historic National Tobacco Company Art Deco building, it is home to Tony Bish Wines and the Cellar Door also offers a range of wine labels from around the region.

Wine tastings offer a delicious tapas menu and the team regularly hosts events and live music performances here.

Known Unknown

1 Davidson Street, New Plymouth

The Known Unknown team wants to make wine fun and accessible to everyone. They have not gone the standard route with their winemaking and it is clear to see how they draw inspiration from art, design, music and food, and enjoy working with others.

An urban winery based in New Plymouth, Known Unknown, is focused on producing natural, lo-fi wines (and cider). They pay a lot of love and attention to growing organic fruit and this is reflected in the wines they produce.

Check out their tasting room if you’re in the area, there’s always an interesting licorice (or many!) to try, in addition to a delicious selection of snacks.

Wellington round up

Wellingtonians are spoiled for choice when it comes to seeking out wine experiences in their city’s backyard. Let’s start with puffincompletely at home at the bottom of the Intrepid Hotelthis cozy and intimate wine bar features natural and minimal intervention wines.

There are tasty small plates to enjoy with your chosen licorice and eclectic decor that is sure to grab your attention. The next one is Amok, where owners Thomas and Natasha describe the atmosphere here as “a classy house party, thrown by us, our way”. With a wine list focused solely on New Zealand and Australia, a great playlist and great food – it’s a house party you’ll want to stay in for a while.

Honorable mentions must go to Newtown’s too Next-doorwhich is small but perfectly formed with natural wines on tap, Noble Rot wine bar on Swan Lane is a pure example of owners Josh and Maciej’s eager to share their passion and love for wine, and Ascot combines hot dogs and wine – need we say more!

Auckland round up

In the sprawling metropolis of Auckland, incredible wine experiences can be found in the city center, K Road and the village settings of neighborhoods such as Gray Lynn and Ponsonby. Starting in the city center is The fountainstarted life purely as a mezcal bar. This intimate space on Snickel Lane has expanded its offerings and now also has a very impressive wine focus.

Take a walk (or a quick drive) down Queen Street and in the K Road district, you’ll find Heavenly Bar and East St Hall, both with interiors to gawk over and talk about. And with great wine lists to boot.

A suburb in Ponsonby is BeauThink of a cozy neighborhood wine bar but elevated. Owners Diva and Logan have used their years of hospitality experience in setting up Beau and the wine list is a reflection of their favorites from across New Zealand and Europe.

A few doors away is Annabel’s wine bar, go here for their aperitivo menu from 4pm everyday, you can’t go wrong with your selections – both the food and wine are “chef’s kiss”. If you are in the area in Gray Lynn be sure to visit Freida Margoliswhere there is always a buzzing atmosphere, bold wine list and eclectic tunes.

Alexia Urban Winery

197 West Street, Greytown

Alexia Urban Winery has been a labor of love and obsession for owners Jane and Lesley. Calling the Wairarapa wine region home, Greytown more specifically, winemaking here is one of constant evolution and learning.

With a focus on producing two different series for the public to enjoy; Alexia and Tangent by Alexia. The first focuses on single-vineyard drops, wines that will be produced year after year. While the second sheds light on emerging varieties, one-off varieties and the like.

This urban winery is family run and as such there is a closure during the winter months, even more of a reason to visit when it is open in the spring and summer period.

Ardennes

216 Hardy Street, Nelson

The Nelson Tasman region is no stranger to incredible vineyards, and the Arden team makes it their mission to celebrate the produce and wine of their region. Located in the heart of the city of Nelson, Arden offers a cosy, intimate bar and cuisine with a focus on imaginative seasonal dishes.

Their ‘by the glass’ wine list changes regularly to showcase an array of natural, local and international selections. You can also go next door to Porta Via, Arden’s younger brother, which serves as a boutique wine shop and lunch restaurant.

Christchurch round up

Christchurch is fortunate to have Waipara wine country less than an hour away, but there are also so many incredible wine experiences right in the heart of the city.

In the Arts Center there is Basement door which has a delicious menu and wine list, but it’s their vast array of creative wine flights that make this place a must-visit.

London Located at the end of Papanui Road in the city center, is a small but perfectly formed space that serves more small plates and a range of wines to match. Next door, is Meetings, a restaurant that has become known throughout the city for its focus on local, accessible and seasonal dishes. This same emphasis extends to their natural wine list, and they have hundreds of bottles in their cellar. Every detail has been thought through here and the emphasis on nature and its conservation is always present.

Back in the center, inside the welderdo you think Hello Helloa tapas and wine bar inspired by the very best Spanish hospitality with a wine list featuring drinks from all over New Zealand, Australia and Europe.

And check out this space for the opening of a new wine-focused pub called Downthe sister location to Twenty seven steps (literally down the stairs of this New Regent Street favorite).

Tussock Hill Vineyard

210 Huntsbury Avenue, Cashmere, Christchurch

Tussock Hill Vineyard & Cellar Door sits atop the Port Hills, with expansive views over Christchurch and beyond to the Southern Alps, and feels a world away from the bustle of the city below.

In reality it is only a 15 minute drive from the city center and just a few hundred yards further on you will find the suburbs of Huntsbury and Cashmere. This family-run vineyard has an excellent reputation, both for the wine they produce and for the incredible food on the menu.

With a focus on organic and local suppliers, the dishes pair perfectly with any glass of wine tasted.