Guide12 hours Amberley & Waipara

Amberley isn’t normally a town that springs to mind when you’re looking for a decent coffee. But prepare to be pleasantly surprised by the little gem that is Little Vintage Espresso. Little Vintage is simple, stylish and extremely inviting. The light open space is filled with communal tables and happy customers. What more could you want?

A day trip to the rural township of Waikuku is now a whole lot more interesting with the opening of the Old School Collective - a boutique retail and lifestyle destination in a 140-year-old school.

Nine individual retail and lifestyle businesses make up the collective, operating out of completely renovated old classrooms, including The Yoga Club, The Health Project (offering health coaching and tailor-made health programmes), Twine Antiques, Room Six gift shop, clothing boutique Louis Who, Good Dirt Flowers florist and gift store, and Woven Verandah outdoor furniture store share a space.

Finally The Office Cafe is the perfect spot to rewind, nourish your body on some hearty, healthy kai and delicious coffee.

Greystone is really all about their organic wine and helping people become as passionate as they are about it. Visitors to the cellar door can enjoy tasting and learning about special releases and aged wines or sit in the sunshine with a delicious platter (we’re talking Karikaas leyden and gouda cheese, honeycomb, pickle, charcuterie, Rachel Scott ciabatta) and a glass or two of their favourite drop.

And for those wanting to see first-hand the true essence of Greystone, guided tours of the winery and vineyard offer a fascinating snapshot of the exciting things going on in the vines and in the wines.

A winery, tasting room and restaurant, Black Estate is famous not only for its organic and biodynamic wines but its refreshing approach to food. Locally sourced and organic produce gets turned into seasonal lunches every day of the week at this Waipara eatery. Cool minimalism is the order of the day here. Unconventional for a North Canterbury winery, Black Estate is laid back and hits a rather stylish note.

Pegasus Bay is a true gem in the North Canterbury crown and an extremely memorable place to visit. Entirely family owned and operated, the beautiful winery and restaurant are a reflection of the passion and energy the Donaldson family have poured into the Pegasus Bay empire. The building and garden alone are enough to inspire awe. The striking castle–like terracotta building is surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens full of beautiful trees, flowers, ponds and red footbridges which add to the magic of the place.

With rolling North Canterbury hills in the background, rows of grapevines in the fore and a glass of wine in your hand, Terrace Edge is the classy yet laid back winery atmosphere you’ve been looking for.

The home of beer in Amberley, the Brew Moon Brewing Company is an independent family run craft brewery and pizzeria. Residing at premises on the historic Markham Street in Amberley, Brew Moon provides locals and travellers alike with a relaxed spot to enjoy some locally crafted beer and gourmet pizza.