Food and Wine

The Nelson region is paradise for food and wine lovers.

The sea surrounding Nelson is the source of some of New Zealand's finest seafood, and the sunny climate allows for an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Every weekend chefs and home cooks flock to the three local produce markets to choose from a vast array of fruit and vegetables, olive oils, wines, organic goods, nuts, smoked fish, wild game, artisan breads, specialty sausages and cheese.

At Matahua, the cottages are well equipped for cooking, and there is also a choice of gas or charcoal barbecues. Guests can pick their own herbs from the cottage gardens and enjoy organic eggs from the farm's free range hens.

We'll guide you to the very best local food sources, from pick-your-own berry farms to where and when to gather cockles at low tide from nearby beaches.

Nelson is one of New Zealand's leading wine regions, producing award-winning chardonnay, pinot noir, riesling, pinot gris, gewürztraminer and sauvignon blanc. Across the water from Matahua is Rimu Grove Winery while Greenhough's Apple Valley Vineyard is right next door. Neudorf, Woollastons, Kahurangi, Blackenbrook, Waimea Estates, Te Mania, Seigfrieds and Brightwater and are all less than a 15 minute drive away on beautiful country roads.

If you love eating out, the Nelson region offers a huge choice of cafés and restaurants which make the most of all the fabulous local produce. Nelson boasts two of the winners in this year's Cuisine NZ Restaurant of the year Awards. Hopgoods was named Best Regional Casual Dining and Boutereys Best Regional Smart Dining. Mapua has the famous Smokehouse Cafe, Wharfside Bar and Restaurant and the Golden Bear Brewery at the wharf, plus The Boatshed Cafe (dine right on the beach). Also bar meals at the Tavern and the The Tap.