Setting
This isn’t your typical cellar door – chic and sleek, it’s entirely at home in its city setting, despite the fact that it also beautifully represents the offerings from a Marlborough winery. Wandering around, you start to wonder why more wineries haven’t opened a cellar door in a major city, to better reach a wider audience and inform them about their wines. Despite its polished sophistication it’s instantly charming, thanks to the enthusiastic staff, and you can happily spend quite some time wandering around – along with the excellent Foxes Island portfolio to sample, there are modern paintings, exquisite jewellery and glassware, and some very impressive wine fridges to admire, and everything is for sale. You can also taste, and purchase, some delicious chocolates alongside your wine.

Things To Know
You can take over this fabulous place for a private event, or arrange a tutored tasting by Foxes Island’s owner, John Belsham – one of New Zealand’s finest winemakers, he’s also chair of Cuisine’s wine-tasting panel.

Our Picks
The Foxes Island selection offers impressive depth and style – Fox Sauvignon Blanc is brightly flavoured (and very reasonable), while Fox Pinot Noir is a superstar.

Plus
You are walking distance from fashionable, lively Ponsonby Rd.