Start the New Year in Wine Country
As we step into the new year, wine lovers have plenty to celebrate with exciting winery openings and winter events happening throughout January. Whether you’re looking for a grand opening to attend or festive winter experiences at established estates, here’s your guide to what’s happening in wine country this month.
| Winery | Normal Operating Hours (NOH) | Mon 12 Jan | Tue 13 Jan | Wed 14 Jan | Thu 15 Jan | Fri 16 Jan | Sat 17 Jan | Sun 18 Jan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey Brewhouse | Sat-Sun: 11am–5pm | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Festival | OPEN |
| Alpha Domus | Fri-Sun: 11am–5pm | -- | -- | -- | OPEN | OPEN | Festival | OPEN |
| Ash Ridge | Wed-Sun: 10:30–5pm | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | Festival | OPEN |
| Oak Estate | Wed-Sun: 11:30–4:30 | -- | -- | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | Festival | OPEN |
| Paritua | Wed-Sun: 12–4pm | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | Festival | OPEN |
| Radburnd | Sat-Sun: 11–4pm | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Festival | OPEN |
| Swift | Thu-Tue: 11–3pm | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN |
| Trinity Hill | Wed-Sun: 11–5pm | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN |
| Unison | Fri-Sun: 11–4pm | -- | -- | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN |
Events:
The 12th Annual Bridge Pa Wine Festival 2026 takes centre stage for many of the wineries in the region on Saturday 17th January. You can still get tickets and details through their website at Bridge Pa Triangle .
Abbey Winery and Brewery runs a series of Live Bands every Saturday and Sunday.
Spotlight on the Wineries
While planning your visits based on the above holiday opening schedule, take a moment to consider the unique experiences each of these Hawke’s Bay treasures offers:
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Paritua Winery: Known for its striking, contemporary winery architecture and stunning vineyard views, Paritua specializes in premium single-vineyard wines, particularly exquisite Cabernet Franc and Bordeaux blends.
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Ash Ridge Winery: A relaxed, family-friendly destination. Ash Ridge offers a wide range of accessible varietals and a welcoming atmosphere, often featuring easy lunches and platters perfect for a summer afternoon.
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Alpha Domus: Recognised for its unique in-the-winery cellar door, this winery is known for its quality, handcrafted wines, and traditional approach that results in distinctive and high-quality wines.
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Abbey Cellars: As one of Hawke’s Bay’s moern brewhouses, Abbey Estate provides a cellar door experience with beer, wine and live music.
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Oak Estate: Offers a beautiful, relaxed garden setting with lawns surrounded by vineyards, making it an ideal spot to enjoy wine with a sample from their a-la-carte menu. It’s a favourite for soaking up the Hawke’s Bay sunshine.
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Radburnd Cellars: Representing the prestige label of legendary New Zealand winemaker Kate Radburnd, visits here are focused on tasting exceptional, small-batch, ultra-premium wines, often making it a highlight of any serious wine tour.
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Trinity Hill: A globally recognised producer with a strong focus on Syrah and the Gimblett Gravels terroir. Their modern, spacious cellar door provides a sophisticated environment for tasting their extensive range.
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Swift Wines: A boutique experience known for handcrafted wines and aromatic whites. Swift is an excellent choice for those seeking something unique and celebratory during the festive period.
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Unison Vineyards: Specialising in Syrah and Merlot blends, Unison offers a rustic and intimate cellar door experience, focusing on high quality, Gimblett Gravels-grown wine.