Nelson Tasman’s creative local culture extends to wine making in a multitude of privately owned boutique vineyards.

Bask in Nelson Tasman's year round sunshine and check out the best wineries, events and Tasman's Great Taste cycle trail.  

Nelson Tasman
Cycling in Upper Moutere, Nelson Tasman

Wine types produced in Nelson Tasman

Benefiting from a sunny, maritime climate, the picturesque valley vineyards of Nelson Tasman yield some of New Zealand’s most freshly scented sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, as well as vibrant pinot noir.

Although it's among the smaller wine regions in the country, Nelson Tasman is home to the first commercial vineyard in the South Island and is highly sophisticated in the craft of wine-making. In many of the cellar doors you’ll still get the opportunity to ‘meet the maker’, as the passion for crafting wonderfully drinkable wines passes through the generations.

Grapes are grown in the rolling Moutere Hills and the picturesque Waimea Plains, and winery tours or cellar door experiences are a must do activity during your visit.

Tasman's Great Taste Trail

Cycling is a great way to discover vineyards and enjoy Nelson Tasman's beauty. Hire a bike to experience the best in the region.

A popular cycling loop that covers 175 kilometers through Nelson, Wakefield and Kaiteriteri, the Tasman's Great Taste Trail(opens in new window) is a well formed cycle trails are grade two cycling (easy) with a small amount of grade three (intermediate) cycling.  

Cycle to vineyards and wineries in a beautiful rural setting and sample delicious locally produced wines. Enjoy wine and food at boutique restaurants in Mapua before taking the Mapua Ferry to Rabbit Island. 

Do as little or as much of the cycle route as you like. Trail map(opens in new window)

Nelson Wine and Food Festival 

Featuring all day entertainment, amazing wine and food, Nelson Wine and Food Festiva(opens in new window)l is held every February in Nelson. 

Leading wineries, breweries and cideries come together to showcase the very best of Nelson Tasman's creations.  

The festival is your chance to mingle with the locals, meet wine makers and soak the Tasman sunshine. Bring the whole family to enjoy live music, bouncy castles and face painting, there is something for everyone.  

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