About Mission Estate Winery
From its elevated position in the Taradale hills, Mission Estate Winery looks across neat vineyard rows towards Napier. Inside the restored seminary, historic elegance meets seasonal dining and award-winning wine, creating an evening shaped by place, flavour and New Zealand’s pioneering winemaking heritage.
The Story of This Place
Mission Estate Winery was established in 1851, when French missionaries arrived in Hawke’s Bay carrying treasured vines and generations of winemaking knowledge. Their modest aim was to create a self-sufficient mission with its own vineyard, but their work helped shape New Zealand’s emerging wine industry. Through floods, earthquakes and changing times, the estate continued to grow while preserving its French heritage and commitment to the land.
Cultural Significance
Mission Estate holds an important place in New Zealand’s wine story, helping to establish Hawke’s Bay as the country’s oldest wine region. Its long tradition of innovation, from pioneering winemaking techniques to research supporting healthier grapevines, has influenced the development of the industry well beyond the estate itself.
The Experience of Visiting
Guests arrive at the historic estate for an elegant three-course dinner accompanied by a glass of Mission Estate wine. Seasonal dishes showcasing local produce are served within the restored seminary, where the atmosphere brings together Hawke’s Bay flavours, warm hospitality and the history of New Zealand’s oldest winery. Guests are also welcome to stroll through the estate gardens and enjoy views across the home vineyard.
Natural Features
Hawke’s Bay’s warm, dry climate, long growing season and varied soils support a diverse range of wine styles. Mission Estate grows Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon across its vineyards in Taradale and the Gimblett Gravels. From the historic estate, guests can look out across the home vineyard towards Napier.
Good to Know
- Mission Estate Winery was established in 1851, making it New Zealand’s oldest winery.
- Changes to the vineyards and cellars helped support commercial wine sales from the 1880s.
- In late 1910, the estate’s main building was cut into 11 sections and hauled nearly 5 kilometres by traction engine from flood-prone land to its present site in Taradale.
- The 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake damaged the estate and claimed 10 lives, after which rebuilding began.
Little-Known Facts
Mission Estate Winery helped pioneer several developments in New Zealand wine. It produced the country’s first Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wine in 1963, followed in 1983 by New Zealand’s first whole-bunch-pressed, barrel-fermented Chardonnay. Research undertaken at the estate also contributed to disease-free grapevine rootstocks used in modern New Zealand vineyards.
Mission Estate’s pioneering spirit extends to sustainability as well as winemaking. It became a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand in the 1990s and was the country’s first winery to achieve ISO 14001 environmental certification.
Mission Estate is not simply a historic setting for dining. Most of its wines are still crafted and bottled on site at the Taradale winery, continuing the estate’s living winemaking tradition.
One Thing to Know
Mission Estate brings together New Zealand’s pioneering wine heritage, seasonal Hawke’s Bay cuisine and an elegant historic setting overlooking the vineyard.