I love a good glass of wine and being in New Zealand means there is no shortage of beautiful wine to be enjoyed from local vineyards. However, perhaps surprisingly, Wellington seems to have grown more of an affinity with beer than with wine. But, it is still possible to find great places to drink wine in the capital, Here are my tried and tested top 5 best wine bars in Wellington:
Puffin opened a little while back and has become very popular but still feels like a hidden gem. You would be forgiven for missing the entrance, just off Cuba on Ghuznee, down a dark corridor only signaled by a small sign. It is well worth the small hunt for this spot as the vibe is lovely, moody and cosy. There is a vast changing menu of wines by the bottle and by the glass and serve brilliant Tapas to compliment.
60 Ghuznee Street
In response to Wellington’s lack of wine bars, Noble Rot opened in 2016 on Swan Lane. Their wine list showcases some of the greatest New Zealand wines as well as wines from around the world. This is the perfect pit stop for trying new wines and with classic and more unique wines on offer, there is something for every pallet including the more adventurous. The food rivals’ wine for the top spot too and includes a canape menu to perfectly complement your wines.
6 Swan Lane
Atlas brings great wine to the northern side of the city, with their prime Customhouse Quay location. The meticulous wine selection is their absolute winner and the list changes with the seasons. It can be complemented with the food or also serves to stand alone too. Whatever your taste or budget there is something that will satisfy everyone!. With a beautiful, sumptuous interior, Atlas is the perfect retreat with a glass of wine from the windy Wellington streets!
36 Customhouse Quay
Highwater is just the loveliest place to have a glass of wine right on Lower Cuba Street. The interior is beautiful and could be in Melbourne or London Soho. The wine list is extensive and very well thought out with a focus on NZ & International wines from vineyards with sustainable viticulture and organic growing practices. The food is spectacular and a few oysters are always the perfect complement to a glass of wine. Its a great place to go with a group where you can share some plates and have a few glasses of amazing wine.
54 Cuba Street
Closely associated with the Everyday Wines natural wine shop on Cuba Street, Ascot is one of the coolest spots to grab a great glass of wine in town. On a rooftop on the corner of Ghuznee, Ascot has a terrace that catches all-day sun making it one of the best places to sit and enjoy a drink or two. Ascot is a relaxed affair with a gourmet hotdog menu that takes the snobbery out of great wine. The wine list changes daily and features just a short list of curated wines, with a focus on natural and interesting international wines.
2/55 Ghuznee Street
Cheers! and thanks for reading my top 5 best wine bars in Wellington. Are mine the same as yours?
For more of my Wellington Top 5 Lists check out the follwing posts:
You can follow me for updates on Instagram @lostinsilverfern
Twitter @lostsilverfern and Facebook @lostinsilverfern
and subscribe using the form below.
Peace
Josie x