About Rippon Vineyard
Rippon sits right on the shore of Lake Wānaka, with the vines running down toward the water and views across to Ruby Island and the Southern Alps. The Mills family has farmed this land since 1912 and has grown wine grapes here since 1982, and the vineyard is farmed biodynamically. It is still a working farm and the family's home, which shapes how a visit works: you come for a booked tasting rather than to wander the property.
The standard cellar door tasting is free, runs about 30 minutes for up to six tasters, and pours four to six current-vintage wines. Bookings are required; walk-in visitors can buy wine but can't taste. Pinot Noir leads the range, including mature-vine and single-block bottlings, with Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Osteiner alongside. A private tasting of about an hour (NZ$45 per person, 2026) goes deeper into the vineyard, the farm and the winemaking for groups of two to 20.
There is no food service at the cellar door, and outside food isn't allowed on the farm except from licensed caterers at events. Children are welcome with their adults in the tasting room. The Rippon Hall above the vines, built with earth from the hillside and timber from the farm's own larch forest, hosts weddings, music and other events, and a pop-up restaurant runs on some winter evenings outside tasting hours.
Wānaka Lavender Farm is only about 2 miles away, so the two fit easily into one afternoon near town. Plan lunch in Wānaka before or after, since neither tasting nor a meal is offered on the farm during the day.
What to do
- Book a free 30-minute tasting of four to six current-release wines
- Taste mature-vine and single-block Pinot Noir grown beside the lake
- Book a private tasting (NZ$45 per person, 2026) for a closer look at the farm and winemaking
- Take in views of Lake Wānaka, Ruby Island and the Southern Alps from the cellar door
- Check their events page for music and gatherings at the Rippon Hall
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open by appointment seven days a week (2026)
- Hours
- 2026: tastings by appointment seven days a week, generally midday to 5pm; times vary by day, so confirm when booking
- Admission
- Cellar door tasting free (2026); private tasting NZ$45 per person; NZ$10 per person no-show fee
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Reservations
- Required
- Payment
- Card details required to book
Tips for your visit
- Book ahead: walk-ins can buy wine but tastings are by appointment only
- Arrive about 5 minutes early; a tasting may not go ahead if you are more than 10 minutes late
- No food is served during the day, so plan lunch in town
- Plan a designated driver if your group is visiting several cellar doors
Pair it with a lavender farm
Wānaka Lavender Farm · about 6 minutes away
Wānaka Lavender Farm is about 2 miles away, an easy pairing for an afternoon around Wānaka.
Getting there
Questions
Is the tasting at Rippon free?
Yes. The standard 30-minute cellar door tasting is free; a private tasting is NZ$45 per person (2026).
Can I just turn up?
You can buy wine without a booking, but tastings need an appointment.
Are children welcome?
Yes, children are welcome with their adults in the tasting room.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Wānaka, New Zealand
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
