Chard Farm — Attraction in South Island

Chard Farm ticks every box - great wine, great location and superb staff. Getting here is half the fun, the drive along the narrow gravel road hugs the edge of the cliff at times and gives spectacular views back to the AJ Hackett Bungee Centre, or once you round the corner, down the Kawarau River valley to the winery. You'll notice a number of people stopping here just for photos as this is also a Lord of the Rings Film Location (PIllars of the Kings). The Winery is set in a lovely old building in a lovely setting and parking is right out the door. Uniquely, Chard Farm does not charge a tasting fee, but instead asks for donations to a local hospice. (During our visit they were instead collecting for Australian bushfire relief, a lovely touch), The wine tasting experience is superb - personal, friendly and knowledgable, and the wines, especially the pinots and chardonnays were among the best we've tasted in NZ (we freighted a case back to Australia). A must do if you're in the region and want to taste wine. Great wine, a lovely drive in, and wonderful people behind...

Getting there is half the adventure!!! Chard road, that leads to the winery, is both spectacular and adrenaline pumping with its windy turns and astonishing views that are true to the core of NZ. This is a true gem. The tasting area is simple but functional and pays great homage to the biking souls with its great person on bike work of art in the main yard. The bathrooms are cleverly named to pay homage to the raging waters along its shores. The wine tasting if FREE and you get the feel that this small but great vineyard is special. There were two houses on the property that look as though they belong to the family. Given its astonishing locations it would be amazing if you could stay there but growing too big might also come at a cost. This is a must do on...

Beautiful wines. Beautiful venue. It started very well, as we hadn't realized that we needed a booking for a tasting, and the host kindly offered for us to join in. Then it took a bad turn. We're pretty familiar with English humor, but it seemed that our British host went on an ego trip. Couldn't seem to stand us talking amongst ourselves, giving filthy dirty looks at one of our co-guest as he dared talk to his niece while he was "teaching". Seemed irritated by any question. He pretended "we had to be nice to him so our tasting fee could be redeemed upon purchase" (while it is company policy...). It was so bad, it was laughable. We laughed about it for weeks. Please Owners, your wines are amazing, don't let someone like that in contact...