The best wineries in Christchurch range from a vineyard restaurant on the Port Hills in Cashmere and a boutique estate in West Melton to the cellar doors of the Waipara Valley, around 45 to 60 minutes north of the city. Visiting wineries from Christchurch means tasting Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay and sparkling wine at the source, often with a long vineyard lunch, a private tasting or a night among the vines. Tussock Hill and Melton Estate are closest to town, while Pegasus Bay and Black Estate anchor the Waipara side.
1Tussock Hill Vineyard
Tussock Hill is a family owned boutique vineyard on the rocky slopes of the Port Hills in Cashmere, about fifteen minutes from Christchurch city. Its handcrafted wines come from certified organic vineyards on the Port Hills and in Waipara, and the Cellar Door Restaurant serves seasonal sharing plates made from Canterbury produce. It suits anyone wanting a winery lunch or a vineyard stay without leaving the city.
Services
- Cellar Door Restaurant with seasonal sharing plates
- Organic Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pét Nat
- Vineyard Retreats accommodation overlooking the vines
- Private event venue for weddings and functions
- Online wine shop and restaurant gift vouchers
Highlights
- Wines handcrafted from certified organic vineyards on the Port Hills and in Waipara
- Regenerative approach with no pesticides, manufactured herbicides or artificial fertilisers
- Kunekune pigs, Babydoll sheep and chickens raised free range among the vines
- Also produces Black Morph Gin
Location & Contact
Name: Tussock Hill Vineyard
Address: 210 Huntsbury Avenue, Cashmere, Christchurch 8022
Phone: 03 260 0902
Website: tussockhill.co.nz
2Melton Estate
Melton Estate is a boutique winery and restaurant set among the vines in West Melton, around 20 minutes west of Christchurch. It is the home of Summer Love Sparkling, and its Restaurant and Cellar Door opens Thursday to Sunday for relaxed dining, wine tastings and vineyard views. The estate also hosts weddings, family celebrations and conferences.
Services
- Restaurant and cellar door wine tastings
- Summer Love Sparkling, Melton Méthode, Pinot Gris and Riesling
- Weddings and family celebrations among the vines
- Conferences and meetings
Highlights
- Describes itself as a solar powered winery
- Summer Love Sparkling also sold in cans
- Gift card usable for tastings, dining or online wine orders
Location & Contact
Name: Melton Estate
Address: Weedons Ross and Johnson Roads, West Melton, Christchurch
Phone: 03 347 4968
Website: meltonestate.co.nz
3Pegasus Bay Winery
Pegasus Bay is a family owned and operated winery in the Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, run by the Donaldson family, who have been involved in wine since the early 1970s. Its tasting room offers estate grown wines, including the flagship reserve range, with views into the barrel hall and cellars. It suits wine lovers making the trip north from Christchurch for a serious tasting and a picnic-style stop at the Mini Deli.
Services
- Cellar door tastings, Classic and Reserve
- Mini Deli with locally produced artisan products, enjoyed in the gardens or to take away
- Estate, Reserve and Vergence wines, plus Main Divide
- Pegasus Bay Wine Club and new release subscription
- Large format bottles and aged wines for purchase
Highlights
- Donaldson family pioneers of local grape growing and winemaking
- Tasting room open Thursday to Monday
- Estate range spans Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Malbec
- Tastings for groups of up to 10 people
Location & Contact
Name: Pegasus Bay Winery
Address: Stockgrove Road, Waipara, RD 2 Amberley 7482, North Canterbury
Phone: 03 314 6869
Website: pegasusbay.com
4Black Estate
Black Estate is a family winery farming four small hillside vineyards in the Waipara Valley, with its cellar door and restaurant on the Home vineyard about a 45 minute drive north of central Christchurch. Its wines are organic and biodynamic, and the restaurant looks across the valley to the Southern Alps. It suits visitors after a destination lunch, a private vineyard tour or an overnight stay.
Services
- Restaurant with organic, local produce
- Cellar door tastings, open seven days
- Private tours and experiences
- Vineyard B&B accommodation on the Home vineyard
- Venue booking for celebrations and private events
Highlights
- BioGro and Demeter certified wines
- Two Hat winery restaurant
- Listed in World’s 50 Best Discovery (2026)
- Single-vineyard wines from the Home, Damsteep, Netherwood and Skypunch vineyards
- Netherwood vineyard planted in 1986
Location & Contact
Name: Black Estate
Address: 614 Omihi Road (SH1), Waipara 7483, North Canterbury
Phone: 03 314 6085
Website: blackestate.co.nz
5Waipara Springs
Waipara Springs is a third-generation family winery in the heart of the Waipara Valley, producing wine since 1989 from vines first planted in 1982. The old shearing shed is now its restaurant, serving local produce alongside wines from the estate. It suits groups and families wanting a relaxed vineyard lunch, a tasting or a hosted function north of Christchurch.
Services
- Vineyard restaurant and tasting room, open seven days
- Estate, Reserve, Rosé, Sparkling and Pioneer wine ranges
- Wine tasting events and a wine blending experience
- Corporate events and private functions
Highlights
- Third-generation family vineyard
- Restaurant set in the estate’s original shearing shed
- Produces Aroha Gin
- Wine club for regular deliveries
Location & Contact
Name: Waipara Springs
Address: 409 Omihi Road, Waipara 7483
Phone: 03 314 6777
Website: waiparasprings.co.nz
Wineries in Christchurch at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Tussock Hill Vineyard | Wines handcrafted from certified organic vineyards on the Port Hills... |
| Melton Estate | Describes itself as a solar powered winery |
| Pegasus Bay Winery | Donaldson family pioneers of local grape growing and winemaking |
| Black Estate | BioGro and Demeter certified wines |
| Waipara Springs | Third-generation family vineyard |
How to Choose the Right Winery in Christchurch
- Travel time: Port Hills and West Melton vineyards sit within about 20 minutes of the city, while the Waipara Valley is roughly 45 to 60 minutes north, so plan a sober driver or a tour for a Waipara day.
- Food: decide whether you want a full restaurant lunch, sharing plates or a lighter deli stop, and book ahead for weekend tables.
- Opening days: several cellar doors close early in the week, so check days and hours before you set out.
- Wine style: look for the varieties you enjoy, such as Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay or sparkling, and whether organic or biodynamic growing matters to you.
- Occasion: for weddings, functions or an overnight stay, choose a winery that offers venue hire or on-site accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christchurch Wineries
Are there wineries in Christchurch itself?
Yes. There are vineyards on the Port Hills above Cashmere and in West Melton on the city’s western edge, both reachable in around 15 to 20 minutes from the central city. Most of the region’s larger wineries are in the Waipara Valley in North Canterbury.
How far is the Waipara Valley from Christchurch?
Waipara wineries along Omihi Road and Stockgrove Road are roughly 45 to 60 minutes’ drive north of central Christchurch via State Highway 1, which makes them an easy day trip.
Which winery near Christchurch is closest if I am staying in the southern suburbs?
A winery in Christchurch on the Port Hills, such as one in Cashmere, is the quickest option from the southern suburbs. From the airport or the western suburbs, West Melton is the nearer choice.
Do Christchurch wineries charge for tastings?
Many cellar doors charge a tasting fee, and some refund it when you buy wine. Fees and formats vary, so check the winery’s own website before you visit.
Do I need to book a winery lunch?
Booking is strongly recommended, particularly on weekends and in summer. Winery restaurants often have limited sittings, and some cellar doors cap group sizes for tastings.
What wines is Canterbury known for?
North Canterbury is especially associated with Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay, with Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wines also widely made. New Zealand Wine has more on the country’s wine regions and varieties.
What do sustainable and organic winery certifications mean?
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand certifies vineyards and wineries against environmental standards, while organic and biodynamic wineries hold separate certification such as BioGro or Demeter. You can read about the sustainability programme at New Zealand Wine’s sustainability page.
Can I hold a wedding at a vineyard near Christchurch?
Yes, several wineries around Christchurch host weddings, celebrations and corporate events among the vines. Contact the venue directly for availability and capacity.
How We Chose the Best Wineries in Christchurch
Every business in this guide was found by searching for wineries in Christchurch, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Christchurch, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.