Mahana: Wine, History and Nature

Mahana combines historic buildings, viticulture and the preservation of a freshwater wetland. This gives you clearly distinct interests to consider when planning your trip: the area’s history spans early settlement and preserved hop-drying equipment; viticulture and tastings are another focus. Stringer Recreation Reserve complements these themes with quiet recreation, community gatherings and the protection of a remaining wetland.

Buildings and historical periods

The picturesque Somerset Farm Settlers Cottage in Mahana is a cob house with a thatched roof dating from the late 1850s to early 1860s. As a house museum, it offers insight into the early years of British and German settlement in Sarau (Upper Moutere); it is associated with the pioneer Harvey and Bensemann families. The house museum is not open to the public. Its history connects Mahana with Sarau’s settlement history, while its association with the Harvey and Bensemann families provides another historical link.

The Harvey Hop Kiln and the Worker’s Hut were built in 1939 and 1944, respectively, and are significant historic buildings. Original hop-drying equipment has been preserved in the hop kiln, including a horsehair drying screen. This makes the building’s preserved equipment its particular focus, while the cottage, as a house museum, offers insight into the history of early settlement. The Harvey Hop Kiln is visible from George Harvey Road in Mahana. The grounds of the kiln and the Worker’s Hut are private and not open to the public; the cottage is also not open to the public. The kiln’s visibility from the road should therefore be distinguished from visiting the grounds.

Wine, wetlands and surroundings

Stringer Recreation Reserve is located at 135 Stringer Road in Mahana. It serves primarily as a place for quiet recreation and community gatherings, and for protecting and enhancing a remaining freshwater wetland. Restoration and enhancement work are among the reserve’s management objectives. Its mix of recreation, community gathering and wetland protection sets the reserve apart from the historic buildings: recreation and wetland conservation are both central here.

Mahana Hills Vineyard is a family-run, one-hectare vineyard in protected native bushland under the QEII protection programme. The Moutere Hills are in the wider Tasman District; they were formed from weathered deposits of an ancient river system and are known for aromatic, flavoursome wines. This wider geographical context complements the local connection to wine with the region’s geology and viticulture.

Wine tastings and wine sales are available at Gravity Cellars, at 243 Old Coach Road, Mahana 7173. Mahana therefore offers different connections to wine: a family-run vineyard in protected bushland and a named venue for tastings and sales.

For geographical context: Upper Moutere is 3 km from Harakeke in Mahana. The Moutere Inn is located there; it is New Zealand’s oldest pub still operating in its original building. This point of reference adds another historic building in the surrounding area to Mahana’s own local history.

Discover more destinations: Mapua, Murchison, Motueka, Kikiwa, Marahau, Parapara, Ngatimoti, Saint Arnaud.

For the broader travel overview: Tasman District.