Setting
The tree-lined driveway paves the way to the Mount Riley Wines cellar door, while an oasis of green lawn makes you want to stay that little bit longer. And you are welcome to do so: bring a picnic and linger after sampling the wines. Floor-to-ceiling windows give you an appreciation for the beauty of the site – surrounded by vines and looking out to nearby hills.

Things To Know
Mount Riley’s owner, John Buchanan, has been involved in the New Zealand wine industry for more than 35 years. While he’s still heavily involved, today it’s his daughter Amy and son-in-law Matt Murphy who are respectively responsible for the day-to-day running of the business and the winemaking.

Our Picks
The sauvignon blanc is classic Marlborough, bursting out of the glass with aroma and flavour. The Seventeen Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are both excellent examples of these varieties.

Plus
Photographs by Marti Friedlander of Dalmatian families planting vineyards in Auckland in the early days of the industry are on display in the cellar door, along with a number of more modern representations taken by Joseph Kelly.