Discover Rapaura

The formats differ in several ways, including private or guided tastings, food pairings, and the option to explore Rapaura by bike.

Wine tastings and winery experiences

Whitehaven Cellar Door is located in The Vines Village at 193 Rapaura Road in Rapaura. Huia Vineyards offers private tours, tastings and experiences that can be booked for selected Fridays. As the schedule may change, check the booking page in advance. Hunter’s Wines offers guided wine tastings; confirm current opening and booking arrangements directly with the winery. The Cellar Door is located in the original farmhouse on Rapaura Road. Visitors can also stroll through the native gardens; check before visiting whether access is currently available.

Tasting styles also vary: tastings at Roots Gin Shack can be booked on site, although booking details may change. Cheese & Cheers offers whisky tastings with local cheese; check before travelling whether this experience is currently available. No.1 Family Estate specialises in making Méthode traditionnelle and offers free wine tastings. Confirm current tasting arrangements before your visit. The Wine Shed combines a tasting room with a wine shop and a hand-picked selection from 15 boutique wineries.

The Rimapere Estate Experience combines a personally guided tasting of four premium wines with a walk through the vineyards. The experience is available by appointment; confirm current booking availability in advance. Hunter’s Wines also serves light lunches at its Cellar Door. Menu details may change.

The Vines Village: grounds and offerings

The Vines Village features wine and gin cellar doors, a café, a deli, boutiques and activities. The grounds cover four acres. There are extensive lakeside areas and gardens, along with vineyard views. This means the Village offers more than a single tasting spot: wine, dining and outdoor activities are all available there. Individual businesses and offerings may change.

Outdoor activities include chess and pétanque; a treasure hunt is available for children. Check with the operator whether the treasure hunt is currently available and whether game equipment can be borrowed. If you’d like to combine your visit with a bike ride, the Village also offers bike hire for wine tours. Confirm current operating details before your trip.

Cycling tours around Rapaura

The Golden Mile is a 6 km bike-friendly loop around The Vines Village. A separate 6 km cycling tour in the surrounding area takes a different route: it passes through Rapaura and Renwick and includes nine wineries, as well as places to stop for refreshments, art and drinks. Check the current map and route conditions before setting out.

Explore Marlborough offers guided wine tours by bike starting from The Vines Village on Rapaura Road. More than twelve wineries are within 3 km of the starting point. This distance describes the wineries’ location relative to the starting point, not the duration of the tour. Confirm current availability of guided tours with the operator. If you’d prefer to travel by car rather than take a bike tour, Explore Marlborough offers wine tours through the Marlborough wine region in the wider area, with wine tastings and information about the region.

Discover more destinations: Waihopai Valley, Waikawa, Hawkesbury, North Bank, Lower Dashwood, Maraetai Bay, Fairhall, Ward

For the broader travel overview: Marlborough.