Palmerston North offers convenient access to the best wineries in Palmerston North through urban wine bars and merchants in the city plus short drives to cellar doors in Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa. Venues provide wine tastings, curated selections and food pairings for locals and visitors seeking quality New Zealand wines. Options include Village Wines and Bubbles Champagne & Wine Bar in central locations alongside Alpha Domus, Ohau Wines and Palliser Estate for vineyard experiences.
1Village Wines
Village Wines is a boutique wine and spirits merchant in Hokowhitu Village, Palmerston North. Established in 1992 and rebranded in 2024, it curates a wide range of wines along with regular instore tastings and twice-yearly showcases. The team offers expert guidance, subscriptions and corporate gifting for discovering new favourites.
Services
- Curated selection of New Zealand and international wines
- Instore wine tastings and events
- Wine subscriptions and mixed packs
- Corporate gifting and special orders
- Fine and rare malts, spirits and deli items
Highlights
- Established 1992 as an independent specialist merchant
- Rebranded 2024 with expanded range including spirits and deli foods
- Expert team with decades of local wine retailing experience
- Regular tastings, showcases and subscription options
- Convenient Hokowhitu Village location with on-site parking
Location & Contact
Name: Village Wines
Address: 350 Albert Street, Hokowhitu Village, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 357 0779
Website: villagewines.co.nz
2Bubbles Champagne & Wine Bar
Bubbles Champagne & Wine Bar is a popular wine bar located in Regent Arcade in central Palmerston North. It features an extensive selection of champagne and wines paired with a tapas and sharing plates menu. The venue hosts live music most nights and suits celebrations, groups and casual evenings.
Services
- Champagne and wine selection with tastings
- Tapas and sharing plates menu
- Live entertainment and bands
- Private functions and group bookings
- On-site dining and celebrations
Highlights
- Flourished under new ownership since 2015
- One of Palmerston North’s favourite night spots
- Live bands every Friday and Saturday night
- Wheelchair accessible with outdoor seating area
- Great for groups, romantic dining and private events
Location & Contact
Name: Bubbles Champagne & Wine Bar
Address: 58 Broadway Avenue, Regent Arcade, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 356 6639
Website: bubblesbar.co.nz
3Alpha Domus
Alpha Domus is a family-owned organic winery situated in Bridge Pa, Hawke’s Bay, about a 90-minute drive from Palmerston North. Founded in 1989, it produces single-vineyard wines across three generations with a focus on quality and craftsmanship. The cellar door offers tastings of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, sparkling wines and more.
Services
- Cellar door wine tastings
- Online wine shop and purchases
- Wine club membership options
- Range of still and sparkling wines
- Vineyard and cellar door experiences
Highlights
- Family owned since 1989 with three generations involved
- Organic winemaking practices
- Single vineyard wines with distinctive names such as The Batten and The Aerofoil
- Commitment to quality and sustainable production
- Scenic Bridge Pa location in Hawke’s Bay
Location & Contact
Name: Alpha Domus
Address: 1829 Maraekakaho Road, Bridge Pa RD1, Hastings 4171
Phone: 06 879 6752
Website: alphadomus.co.nz
4Ohau Wines
Ohau Wines runs a cellar door nestled among the vines in Ōhau near Levin, roughly an hour’s drive from Palmerston North. The winery produces award-winning single-vineyard wines including Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tastings are available for small groups of up to five without prior booking during opening hours.
Services
- Cellar door wine tastings
- Wine sales and retail shop
- Selection of Ohau Gravels varietals
- Small group tastings
- Online and in-person purchases
Highlights
- Award-winning wines with unique aromatic expression
- Retro-inspired cellar door setting
- Single vineyard focus from the Ohau sub-region
- No booking required for small groups
- Convenient location off State Highway near Levin
Location & Contact
Name: Ohau Wines
Address: 6 Bishops Road, Ōhau, Levin
Phone: 06 367 5051
Website: ohauwines.co.nz
5Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough
Palliser Estate is a Martinborough winery in the Wairarapa region, approximately a one-hour drive from Palmerston North. It crafts award-winning Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and sparkling wines, many on the path to organic certification. The cellar door and kitchen provide tastings and seasonal lunches in a beautiful setting.
Services
- Cellar door wine tastings and flights
- Palliser Kitchen for seasonal lunches
- Online shop and wine club
- Guided tasting experiences
- Still and sparkling wine range
Highlights
- Over 30 years crafting site-specific wines
- Award-winning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays
- Sustainable and organic-focused practices
- On-site dining harmonising with the wines
- Bookable tastings and events in Martinborough
Location & Contact
Name: Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough
Address: 96 Kitchener Street, Martinborough 5741
Phone: 06 306 9019
Website: palliser.co.nz
Wineries in Palmerston North at a Glance
| Business | Based in | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Village Wines | Hokowhitu Village | Established 1992 as an independent specialist merchant |
| Bubbles Champagne & Wine Bar | Regent Arcade | Flourished under new ownership since 2015 |
| Alpha Domus | Bridge Pa RD1 | Family owned since 1989 with three generations involved |
| Ohau Wines | Ōhau | Award-winning wines with unique aromatic expression |
| Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough | Martinborough | Over 30 years crafting site-specific wines |
How to Choose the Right Winery in Palmerston North
- Decide between convenient urban wine bars in central Palmerston North or a short drive to vineyard cellar doors in Hawke’s Bay or Wairarapa.
- Review the varietals offered, such as Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or sparkling wines.
- Consider options with food pairings, on-site dining or platters to complement the tasting.
- Check booking requirements, as some cellar doors recommend reservations especially for groups.
- Look for businesses emphasising sustainability, family ownership or unique tasting formats.
Frequently Asked Questions About Palmerston North Wineries
Are there wineries located directly in Palmerston North?
Palmerston North is primarily urban and does not host large vineyards within city limits, but it features wine bars and merchants such as Village Wines in Hokowhitu Village and Bubbles Champagne & Wine Bar in the CBD that offer tastings and selections from regional producers. Nearby cellar doors in Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa provide easy day-trip options.
Where can I find wine venues in Palmerston North?
Look in Hokowhitu Village for Village Wines at 350 Albert Street and the Regent Arcade on Broadway Avenue for Bubbles Champagne & Wine Bar. These central spots make it simple to enjoy wine tasting alongside other city activities.
What types of wines are commonly available near Palmerston North?
Venues typically offer popular New Zealand varietals including Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Syrah and sparkling wines. Many are sourced from Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and other regions with some urban spots also stocking international selections.
Do I need to book wine tastings in advance?
Many urban venues like Bubbles welcome walk-ins during opening hours, while cellar doors such as Ohau Wines and Palliser Estate often recommend booking for groups or to guarantee a spot, especially on weekends or for larger parties.
Is wine tasting suitable for beginners near Palmerston North?
Yes, most venues cater to all levels with knowledgeable staff who explain the wines. Urban bars and cellar doors often provide guided tastings or education elements to help new enthusiasts explore the range.
What’s the best time of year to visit wineries near Palmerston North?
Tastings are enjoyable year-round, though spring and summer months offer pleasant weather for outdoor cellar door visits and vineyard settings. Urban venues remain welcoming in all seasons.
How far are the nearest vineyards from Palmerston North?
Ohau Wines is about an hour away near Levin, Alpha Domus around 90 minutes in Hawke’s Bay, and Palliser Estate approximately one hour in Martinborough. These distances make for straightforward day trips.
How We Chose the Best Wineries in Palmerston North
Every business in this guide was found by searching for wineries in Palmerston North, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Palmerston North, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.