About Vilagrad Wines
Vilagrad is one of New Zealand's oldest wineries, started in 1922 by Croatian-born Ivan Milicich Snr on Rukuhia Road just south of Hamilton. It is still family owned and run, now by the Nooyen family, with Pieter and Nelda Nooyen as hosts, and it marked its centenary in 2022. A fire in June 2015 destroyed the historic winery building, and the family rebuilt. Its 2025 Pinot Gris won a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
The cellar door is open for tastings and sales on Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 3pm, Saturdays from 11am to 3pm and Sundays from 10am to 4pm, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment. Wine tours and tastings are offered; ask when you book about the current options and group sizes.
Weekends are the time to come for food. Every Saturday and Sunday the winery puts on a Mediterranean buffet lunch, promoted as a family day out, and there is a new outdoor playground for children. Bookings are essential for functions and recommended for lunch. Vilagrad also hosts weddings, mid-winter and end-of-year Christmas parties with live entertainment, and has suites for overnight stays, including a champagne suite among the vines.
The Lavender Backyard Garden in Hamilton is about 3 miles away, so a weekend lunch here pairs easily with a lavender stop on the same drive.
What to do
- Taste and buy wine at the cellar door, Thursday to Sunday
- Book the Mediterranean buffet lunch on a Saturday or Sunday
- Let children use the new outdoor playground while adults linger over lunch
- Ask about a wine tour of the historic family winery
- Stay overnight in one of the on-site suites
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Cellar door open Thursday to Sunday; buffet lunches every Saturday and Sunday
- Hours
- As published in 2026: Thu–Fri 9am–3pm, Sat 11am–3pm, Sun 10am–4pm; Tue–Wed by appointment
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Reservations
- Recommended
Tips for your visit
- Book weekend lunch ahead; functions require bookings
- End-of-year Christmas parties fill quickly, so book early if you want one
- Plan a designated driver or stay in one of the on-site suites
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavender Backyard Garden · about 8 minutes away
The Lavender Backyard Garden in Hamilton is about 3 miles away, an easy add-on to a weekend lunch here.
Getting there
Questions
How old is Vilagrad?
It was founded in 1922 by Ivan Milicich Snr and is still family owned.
When is the buffet lunch?
Every Saturday and Sunday; booking ahead is recommended.
Is it good for families?
Yes, weekend lunches are promoted as family days out and there is an outdoor playground.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Hamilton & the Waikato, 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
