Experience the wine, food and landscape of North Canterbury at Black Estate, a family-owned biodynamic winery, cellar door and Two-Hatted restaurant in the Waipara Valley.
Set among the vines at 614 Omihi Road, Black Estate brings together three small hillside vineyards – Home, Damsteep and Netherwood – with organically and biodynamically grown wines, seasonal food, cellar door tastings and private winery experiences. Guests can even stay overnight at the vineyard B&B.
Whether you’re planning a Waipara wine tasting, a long vineyard lunch, a private winery tour or a peaceful night among the vines, Black Estate offers an authentic taste of North Canterbury wine country.
Why Visit Black Estate?
Black Estate combines wine, food and vineyard life in one distinctive Waipara experience.
- Family-owned North Canterbury winery
- Three hillside vineyards – Home, Damsteep and Netherwood
- Certified organic and biodynamic vineyards
- Cellar door open seven days
- Wine tastings and seated tastings
- Two-Hatted vineyard restaurant
- Included in World’s 50 Best Discovery in July 2026
- Private winery tours and tastings at Netherwood
- Vineyard B&B accommodation
- Group and private dining available
- Located on the Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail
- Approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Christchurch Airport
Group Events at Black Estate
Black Estate offers a distinctive Waipara winery venue for group events, private dining and celebrations, surrounded by the vineyards and landscape of North Canterbury.
Part or all of the restaurant can be hired for:
- 20–60 guests seated
- Up to 90 guests for a party-style event
- Private afternoon or evening functions
- 3–4 course shared feasting menus prepared by the Black Estate chefs
- Dedicated staff to assist with planning and look after guests throughout the event
Combining Black Estate wines, acclaimed food and a beautiful vineyard setting, Black Estate is an ideal choice for group dining, celebrations and private events in the Waipara Valley.
Black Estate Restaurant
Wine and food come together at the Black Estate restaurant, where the kitchen focuses on local and organic produce alongside wines grown across the estate’s North Canterbury vineyards.
The restaurant has been awarded Two Hats by the Cuisine Good Food Awards since 2019 and was included in World’s 50 Best Discovery in July 2026. The kitchen is led by Olly Le Maitre and his team, with the menu incorporating seasonal ingredients and Black Estate’s own regeneratively grown beef.
The restaurant is currently open Thursday to Monday, with reservations recommended. Groups of five or more and private dining enquiries can be arranged directly with Black Estate.
Waipara Cellar Door & Wine Tastings
Discover Black Estate wines at the cellar door, open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm.
Visitors can taste current-release wines, enjoy a glass of wine or settle in with food and snacks overlooking the vineyard.
Current tasting experiences include:
- Cellar Door Tasting – five current-release Black Estate wines
- Seated Tasting – three generous wine pours that can be enjoyed alongside food
Walk-ins are welcome for groups of up to four. Groups of five or more should book ahead.
Private Winery Tours at Netherwood
Go behind the scenes with a private winery tour and tasting at Black Estate’s Netherwood vineyard, approximately 5km north of the restaurant.
Hosted by a member of the Black Estate team, the experience explores the winery, farming philosophy and approach to organic and biodynamic viticulture before finishing with a tasting of five single-vineyard wines and a light snack.
Private tours are generally hosted at 11am and take around 1 to 1.5 hours, making it easy to combine the experience with lunch at the Black Estate restaurant afterwards. Larger groups and bespoke experiences can also be discussed directly with the team.
Three North Canterbury Vineyards
Black Estate makes wine from three family-owned hillside vineyards in North Canterbury:
Home Vineyard
Located in the Omihi sub-region of the Waipara Valley, Home is where visitors will find the Black Estate restaurant, cellar door and B&B.
The original Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines were planted in the 1990s, while additional plantings include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.
Damsteep Vineyard
Damsteep lies at the foot of the Omihi Saddle, around 10km north of Home Vineyard. Pinot Noir and Riesling grow on hillside soils incorporating clay, sandstone and limestone.
Netherwood Vineyard
Netherwood is home to Black Estate’s winery and provides the setting for its private winery tours and tastings.
All three vineyards have been converted to organic and biodynamic farming and are certified with BioGro and Demeter.
Stay at Black Estate B&B
Extend your Waipara wine experience with an overnight stay at the Black Estate B&B, located directly on the biodynamic Home Vineyard.
The studio accommodation occupies the ground floor of Black Estate’s architecturally designed building and looks across the garden and vineyard towards the Southern Alps.
A continental breakfast is included, and light takeaway dinners are available from the restaurant kitchen. Once the restaurant and cellar door close and staff leave for the day, guests can enjoy the tranquillity and evening atmosphere of the working vineyard.
The B&B is also located on the Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail, making it particularly appealing for travellers exploring the area’s wineries and countryside by bike.
Organic & Biodynamic Winegrowing
Black Estate’s approach begins with the land.
The family farms its three vineyards using organic and biodynamic practices, working to encourage natural balance and life within each vineyard and express the character of each individual site through its wines.
The vineyards are certified with BioGro and Demeter, while the wines are produced from biodynamically grown fruit and are unfined and unfiltered.
Explore Waipara & North Canterbury
Black Estate is located in the Waipara Valley wine region of North Canterbury, making it an excellent addition to a Canterbury food and wine itinerary.
Combine your visit with more vineyards, local produce, cycling and attractions throughout the region.
Read our Canterbury Travel Guide for more places to visit, activities and travel inspiration around Waipara and North Canterbury.
Book Direct
Plan your visit directly with Black Estate for current restaurant reservations, cellar door information, private winery tours and B&B availability.
Booking direct is especially recommended for restaurant dining, private Netherwood winery tours, larger groups and overnight stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Black Estate?
Black Estate’s cellar door, restaurant and B&B are at 614 Omihi Road, Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Christchurch Airport.
Can you do wine tastings at Black Estate?
Yes. The cellar door offers tastings of current-release Black Estate wines as well as seated tasting options. The cellar door is currently open seven days from 10am to 4pm.
Does Black Estate have a restaurant?
Yes. Black Estate has a Two-Hatted vineyard restaurant serving local and organic produce alongside its wines. It is currently open Thursday to Monday.
Can you tour the Black Estate winery?
Yes. Private winery tours and tastings are available at Netherwood Winery, around 5km north of the restaurant. The experience includes an introduction to Black Estate’s farming philosophy, a look around the winery and a tasting of single-vineyard wines.
Can you stay at Black Estate?
Yes. Black Estate has a vineyard B&B at its Home Vineyard. The studio accommodation overlooks the vineyard and garden towards the Southern Alps, and continental breakfast is included.
Is Black Estate organic?
Yes. Black Estate’s three vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically and are certified with BioGro and Demeter.
Does Black Estate cater for groups?
Yes. Group tastings, private dining, functions and larger private winery experiences can be arranged directly with Black Estate.
How far is Black Estate from Christchurch?
Black Estate advises that the drive from Christchurch Airport is approximately 40 minutes.
