Most people probably won't have heard of Renwick. It is one of those small New Zealand towns that you could drive through in a minute and not be any the wiser. What makes Renwick special though is that it is in the heart of NZ's largest wine region – the Marlborough wine region.
The area around Renwick was where many of our first vineyards were planted. Today those vineyards cover the length and breadth of our entire valley and beyond. Wine is undoubtedly the main reason that you would visit this area. The wineries in this area are tightly clustered with more than 15 wineries within a four to five-kilometre radius.
For great winery lunches in this area try Wairau River winery, which does consistently delicious food, Cloudy Bay's Jack's Raw Bar for local seafood or Allan Scott for burgers and steak sandwiches. Visit Forrest Estate, Nautilus, Jackson Estate or Framingham wineries for lovely places to while away a few hours outdoors on a beanbag with a glass of wine or wine tasting trays and a cheeseboard.
For wineries that provide that small boutique experience where you will often be served by the owner, visit Te Whare Ra, Gibson Bridge, Bladen or Huia. Moa Brewery is also a local haunt and great for a locally brewed beer and a burger or pizza from its food truck. It also sells a sampling tray so you can try a range of beers.
