Just 15 minutes drive from Hanmer Springs is the newly renamed Waiau River Estate. Formerly known as Marble Point Winery, it changed name when it changed hands recently, with the new owner, Conrad, being the son of the previous owners.

We dropped in on a mid-week sunny afternoon and tried a $5 wine tasting, where we could sample the wines grown on the estate. Conrad certainly knows the wines well, and the cheese board he made up for us for $50 was great, as was the coffee we were served.

 

With a great view up the Waiau River valley, it makes a nice lunch stop or morning/afternoon tea stop, on the way to or from Hanmer Springs. Open 10am-5pm every day in summer except Tuesday, in winter open Friday – Monday.