Events at Church Road Winery, Napier

About Church Road Winery

Church Road Winery is a historic wine estate and functions venue in Napier’s Taradale district. It was originally established in 1897 by Bartholomew Steinmetz (a Luxembourg émigré) to produce wine for the local Marist Brothers Mission, making it one of New Zealand’s oldest continuously operating wineries (church-road.com). In the early 20th century the business was taken over by Tom McDonald (who famously started washing bottles at age 14 and later purchased the site). McDonald expanded the vineyard and facilities vigorously, earning the nickname “founding father” of Kiwi wine – endearing enough that Church Road’s top TOM wine range is named after him (church-road.com). On the very site where Steinmetz and McDonald built the winery, the first Church Road-labelled wine was produced in 1989 (church-road.com), and today the estate is owned by global group Pernod Ricard (www.whoownsmywine.com). In short, Church Road blends heritage architecture and modern winemaking – it’s a century-old cellar under vines, with a cellar-door restaurant, museum tours and award-winning wines. (It even won a 2025 “Best of Wine Tourism” award for excellence in hospitality (church-road.com).)

The property spans about 1.5 hectares of park-like grounds at the foot of Napier’s Sugarloaf Hill (www.cvent.com). The main event building is the Tom McDonald Cellar, a spacious hall with native tawa wood floors, open New Zealand jarrah beams and copper light fittings that give an old-world, Provencal-meets-Kiwi feel (www.hawkesbaynz.com). Beyond that are dining and tasting rooms, a small winery museum, and an exclusive outdoor “container bar” for casual gatherings (www.hawkesbaynz.com). Behind glass in the restaurant and museum you’ll see barrel rooms of French-oak barrels aging wine – a nod to Hawke’s Bay’s winemaking history. The kitchen/restaurant serves lunch with locally sourced menus, and the gift shop (bottle shop) sells the full Church Road portfolio (including the famous Reserve CH and TOM series) plus souvenirs. All together, Church Road’s blend of heritage cellars, scenic vine views and tasting facilities makes it a notable Napier landmark for locals and visitors alike (www.cvent.com) (www.hawkesbaynz.com).

Events and Programming

Church Road isn’t just a winery – it’s also a popular event venue. Over summer it hosts regular live music sessions, and from time to time there are special festivals or wine events. One example is the annual Church Road “Gwen Summer Sessions” – a series of easygoing Sunday afternoon concerts on the lawn under the vines. Now in its ninth season, these sessions feature mostly local acoustic acts, free-roaming picnics and Church Road wine on tap (www.littlestone.co.nz). Entry is free (with a small $3 “tally” charge at the bar to help cover costs) (www.hawkesbaynz.com), and food trucks or the on-site restaurant are open so you can buy lunch or snacks. The winery provides free water and sells its wines, local beer and soft drinks on site, so it’s a relaxed BYO-free environment (www.hawkesbaynz.com). Another signature event is *Jazz in the Park*. In April 2025 this all-ages jazz festival returned to Church Road after a 20-year break, billed as a nostalgic “love letter” to the sun-soaked jazz afternoons of the past (www.littlestone.co.nz). That one-day festival (for example) sold tiered general-admission tickets (in 2025, early bird $45 up to $69 as it got closer) (www.eventfinda.co.nz), and again featured food, wine and craft beer stalls around the outdoor stage.

Other programming includes wine-centric events and private functions. Church Road often participates in Napier’s Food & Wine Classic (F.A.W.C.). For example, they ran a special “Chardonnay Experience” event where guests toured the winery with the winemaking team, tasted current and heritage vintages, enjoyed a platter lunch, and even took home a commemorative gift set (www.eventfinda.co.nz). The venue is also a sought-after spot for weddings, corporate functions, and conferences (the spacious cellar can accommodate seated dinners or theater-style presentations). Because Church Road is a working winery, it offers daily tours as well – see the Booking section below for how to reserve those tasting experiences.

Tickets and Booking

Tickets are needed only for special performances and events; general admission to the winery (cellar door tastings and restaurant) is free. For concerts/festivals, tickets are usually sold through organized promoters or the winery’s website. For example, Jazz in the Park was listed via Eventfinda with advance ticket sales and release phases (www.eventfinda.co.nz). Gwen Summer Sessions are simpler – no advance ticket is sold, just a $3 payment at the bar on arrival (cash or card as noted) (www.hawkesbaynz.com). If you plan to attend a ticketed event, buy early: popular shows can sell out, especially if they have limited seating. Sizing often follows a tiered structure (e.g. earlybird vs second release pricing for big events, as above) – watch the winery’s news page or local event listings for on-sale dates. There is no traditional box office; instead, check *Eventfinda*, *Ticketek/Ticketmaster* NZ or the Church Road website for official links to purchase.

For wine tastings and tours (such as cellar door experiences), bookings can be made directly through Church Road. Their website’s “Visit Us” page shows scheduled tasting offerings. For instance, the flagship “Icon Tasting” is a guided 45–60 minute wine tasting available Thursday through Monday at 10:30am (last booking 3:30pm) (church-road.com), costing about $75. During the busy summer season (Dec–Feb), advance reservations for such tastings and for dining in the Cellar Door Restaurant are essential. Call (06) 826 3200 or email [email protected] to book cellar door tours or restaurant tables (church-road.com). In summary, routine cellar visits usually require no more than showing up or phoning ahead, but larger events and premium tours should be booked well in advance.

Seating and Layout

Church Road’s indoor and outdoor spaces are fairly flexible. The main indoor venue (the Tom McDonald Cellar, named after its founder) can seat up to about 120 people in banquet or theater layout (www.cvent.com). It is typically set up with round tables for dinners or aligned rows of chairs for presentations and concerts. Any seat in the Cellar is quite good, thanks to its acoustically live design: wooden floors and high rafters give sound warmth, and seating closer to the center of the room provides a balanced audio experience. For acoustic or quieter shows, front tables near the stage are cozy, though in a lively band setting some guests may prefer to sit slightly back to balance the volume. (Avoid the immediate front row if you want more midrange mix; a middle-tier table often hears vocals clearly while still soaking up the atmosphere.)

Outdoors, Church Road’s concert space is simply the grassy vineyard lawn. There are no fixed seats – audiences spread out on blankets or portable chairs. The lawn gently rises toward the vines, so even people sitting far back can see over those in front. For open-air performances like Summer Sessions or Jazz in the Park, best spots are often on the slight hill just behind the front few rows (viewing over the crowd). Bring low-profile chairs or a cushion for ground-level comfort, and a wide-brim hat for sun protection. In the evening or if rain threatens, lighter blankets are handy. Since the lawn faces west up Sugarloaf Hill, afternoon gigs can be quite sunny – seating toward the left side can put the audience at a better angle to the stage if the sun is low in the sky.

The Cellar Door Restaurant has its own layout: a polished dining room with tables beside large windows overlooking the vines, plus an outdoor deck for fine-weather patrons. For an intimate wine tasting, ask to sit at one of the wine-barrel high tables or at bar service (staff are usually happy to accommodate special requests). Note that because the Cellar Door is both a restaurant and tasting room, quieter seating (for conversation) is typically at the back or side, while tables near the entrance or bar see more foot traffic. In general, the venue’s atmosphere is relaxed and informal – there is no strict dress code, though smart-casual for dinners works well. Avoid wearing muddy boots if you plan to walk through vines, and bring a light jacket for cool evenings if seated outside. Lastly, Church Road’s patio and cellar door lounge are popular “spillover” spaces on busy days, so they make nice spots to stand or sit if the main room is full (though they have limited seating and no reserved table service).

Getting There and Parking

Church Road Winery is located at 150 Church Road, Taradale (Napier 4112), right at the base of Sugarloaf Hill (www.cvent.com). By car it’s about a 10–15 minute drive from either central Napier or Hastings along State Highway 50. If coming from Napier’s city center, take Tennyson Street east past the CBD, then turn onto Saddle Road and Church Road. Waipatu (Hastings) drivers would take Havelock Road/SH50 west and turn north onto Church Road. Ample on-site parking is normally available (the winery has a large visitors’ lot), but for peak events the venue notes that parking is “paid” – this usually means attendants will manage the lot and may charge a fee or recommend overflow lots. For tight spaces, there is street parking near the Taradale Library (on Church Road) which is about a 5-minute walk from the winery. If using public transport, look for GoBay Napier bus routes to Taradale: several city buses pass close by Church Road (the Taradale Library stop on Church Road is within easy walking distance). Rideshare services (Uber, Zoomy) and taxis are also available in Napier and can drop off right at the front gate. Tip: on event days arrive early (by 1–2 pm for afternoon shows) to secure parking and avoid congestion. Napier Airport is roughly 12 km away (a 15–20 min drive), so overseas visitors often fly in and rent a car or taxi directly to the winery.

Inside the Venue

On entering Church Road, guests step into a warm cellar-door atmosphere. The reception area features a tasting bar and wine shop, while a cozy lounge with couches and display cases showcases the winery’s heritage. During normal hours (the cellar door is open Thursday–Monday 10:30–4:30 in winter, extended in summer) you will be greeted by friendly staff who may offer a guided tasting or let you browse the wines. If you have a reservation for lunch, the restaurant staff will seat you in the a la carte dining room. (Note: during special events or concerts, entry is controlled by ticket and you will be directed to the assigned function space.) Generally there is no formal coat check – on a cool day, you may hang jackets on provided racks or keep them at your table. Restrooms are located just inside the building (ground level) and are the only public toilets on site.

Food and drink-wise, Church Road offers a full-service restaurant and bar. The Cellar Door Restaurant menu focuses on local Hawke’s Bay produce – think seasonal salads, hearty mains and shared plates, all chosen to pair with the house wines. The cellar door lounge has a wine bar where you can order wine flights or glasses of Church Road’s range (the flagship Chardonnay, Bordeaux reds, etc.). If there’s an event, the outdoor “container bar” and vendor stalls will serve beer, cider, or casual bites. For example, at the Summer Sessions it is explicitly requested that visitors do NOT bring their own alcohol or food (www.hawkesbaynz.com); instead free water is provided and Church Road’s wine and local beer are on sale. Merchandise (wine by the bottle, branded glasses, etc.) can be purchased at the cellar door counter. Connectivity inside is limited – Wi-Fi is not generally provided for guests, so it’s best to download any travel info beforehand. Music and sound are subdued in daily mode (background jazz or none at all), but during concerts the facility can be quite lively. Security is low-key: aside from buying a ticket or checking in for a tour, you will not normally face any bag searches or metal detectors.

Photography is allowed for personal use (people often snap the vines or barrel rooms), but avoid flash if there are staff or guests nearby. The lighting in the Cellar Room is warm but dimmer for dinner service, so you may need to steady your camera. Cell phone signal is okay inside (slowed by the concrete and barrels) but very strong outdoors. As for dress, the vibe is casual: jeans and summer dresses are fine, though locals sometimes wear New Zealand wool comfies. If you plan to sample wine and then drive, be mindful that Church Road’s tastings are thorough – consider having a designated driver or using a taxi if you drink more than a few glasses. (They will ask for ID if you purchase alcohol – so carry your passport or driver’s license, especially for events where under-18s will drink.)

Nearby Amenities

Just outside Church Road, Taradale offers a small set of conveniences. Within a 5–10 minute walk you’ll find a few cafes, a Thai-Indian fusion restaurant (Red Chilli, about 1.2 km away) and the Taradale RSA bar (local pub, 0.6 km away). There’s also a dairy/convenience store and a bottle liquor store on Gloucester Street near Taradale Library. If you want more variety before or after a winery visit, central Napier (8–10 km south) has dozens of restaurants, from sushi bars to high-end bistros on Marine Parade. Recommended Napier hotels include the Art Deco flagship Scenic Hotel Te Pania on Marine Parade or the historic Napier Heritage (formerly The Central). Havelock North (20 km inland) has charming B&Bs near Te Awa and other wineries. For late-night travel home: note that local buses stop running by about 8pm, so it’s safest to pre-book a taxi or rideshare if events or dinner run late. Conversely, if your concert or tour ends early evening, you can easily grab a late dinner at one of the many Napier eateries (many close around 9–10pm, except the RSA which stays open later with casual pub fare).

What Makes This Venue Special

Church Road stands out in Napier’s wine scene for its combination of history, architecture and community spirit. It is built on the site of one of New Zealand’s first commercial vineyards – over 125 years old (church-road.com) (www.eventfinda.co.nz) – so every cellar brick and oak barrel has a story. Unlike modern minimalist wineries, Church Road’s cellar door feels like an antique wine grotto beneath a classic Kiwi family farm. The Tom McDonald Cellar’s design (with French-oak barrels lining the walls and large wooden beams overhead) creates a sense of place you won’t find in a generic hall (www.hawkesbaynz.com). Even quirkier is their “container bar” on the lawn (www.hawkesbaynz.com) – a repurposed shipping container open for tastings – which has become something of a local photo op. The vineyard setting itself is cinematic: rows of vines stretching up Sugarloaf Hill at sunset, often with sheep or cattle wandering nearby.

Culturally, the winery has been intertwined with Napier life. Locals remember church socials and open-air dances held on those very lawns decades ago. In fact, when Church Road announced its first Jazz in the Park in 2025, press coverage noted it was reviving a beloved late-1990s tradition in Hawke’s Bay (www.littlestone.co.nz). That revival shows how the venue and its audience cherish past community gatherings. On the wine side, Church Road’s name is iconic in New Zealand’s history. Its founder has been featured in industry retrospectives, and its wines (especially the Reserve CH and the top-notch Chardonnays and Bordeaux-style reds) have won multiple awards. For example, Church Road’s 2009 Higginson Estate was even Champion Wine of the Show in the 2010 Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards (www.cvent.com). Patients-of-wine travel guides frequently highlight Church Road’s Cellar Door Restaurant and underground tunnels as must-see highlights of the region. All these factors – deep heritage, atmospheric cellar spaces, and quality wine – combine to make Church Road Winery a beloved venue for both visitors and winemakers alike.

Visitor Tips and Information

Accessibility: Church Road has generally flat access and is considered wheelchair-friendly. In one review a guest in a wheelchair noted that staff quickly put them at a convenient table (even accommodating two dogs) so the evening went smoothly (www.tripadvisor.com.au). The restrooms are on the ground floor with wide doors. If you have special needs, it’s wise to call ahead, but most visitors find the venue quite accommodating.

What to Bring: If coming on an afternoon event, bring sunscreen, a hat and perhaps a light jacket; weather can change under the open sky. For seating on the lawn, low camp chairs or blankets are helpful. You are not allowed to bring your own alcohol or food to concerts (as noted above (www.hawkesbaynz.com)), but bottled water is usually available for free. Cash and cards are accepted at the bars; however, it’s good to have some NZ dollars on hand for smaller vendors. Bring ID if you plan to drink alcohol – they will check it for anyone under 18 at the bar (www.hawkesbaynz.com). A fully charged phone and camera will let you share the experience, but remember cell signal can drop off outside the building.

Common Mistakes: The most common pitfalls are underbooking and underestimating travel time. Don’t assume you can pop in for a tour on a busy summer weekend without prior reservation – book your cellar tour or lunch weeks ahead. Arrive at least 30 minutes before any scheduled event to park and get situated. Also, if you want wine to take home, buy it earlier in the visit (day’s end crowds sometimes deplete popular labels). Another tip: confirm cancellation policies. Rain is rare in Napier summer, and outdoor sessions usually happen rain-or-shine, but check the venue’s notice if storms are forecast.

Age Restrictions: Family-friendly events like Gwen Summer Sessions are “all ages” (children’s tickets are typically sold at a reduced price (www.eventfinda.co.nz)). Of course, only those 18+ may purchase and consume alcohol. The Cellar Door Restaurant and tours allow teenagers (often with adult supervision). During private functions (like weddings) children are usually allowed, but performance nights are mostly open to everyone.

Dress Code: There is none formal. The ambience is country-casual: think summer dresses, khakis or jeans, and neat shoes. For concerts, wear what’s comfortable for sitting on a lawn. For dinner at the restaurant, many locals wear “slightly dressed up” casual (e.g. a collared shirt or nice top), but a strict jacket is not needed. If it’s evening or breezy, bring a sweater – the venue gets cooler after sunset.

Insider Tips: Ask for recommendations! Church Road staff are usually happy to suggest food–wine pairings or the next wine to try in a tasting flight. Little extras like a quick underground barrel-room tour (ask the guide) can elevate your visit. If you come in summer, check if there’s a late-afternoon tour – that timezone means better lighting in the cellars and a bonus sniff of fermenting barrels. Finally, enjoy the grounds: the vineyard views and old buildings make a great photo backdrop. People often linger after tastings on the lawn to chat with winemakers or fellow visitors.