Family-owned, proudly organic and passionate about producing exceptional wine, Wrights Vineyard & Winery is a Gisborne destination that deserves a place on every wine lover’s discovery list.
New Zealand’s wine regions are full of wonderful discoveries, and Gisborne is no exception.
Situated in the beautiful surroundings of Manutuke, just outside Gisborne, Wrights Vineyard & Winery is a family-run winery combining organic winegrowing, award-winning wines and a welcoming cellar-door experience.
With more than 25 years of winemaking in Gisborne, Wrights has developed a reputation for producing distinctive wines while maintaining a strong commitment to organic and environmentally conscious vineyard practices.
For visitors looking to discover something different in New Zealand wine country, this is a winery worth putting on the itinerary.
And we’re particularly delighted to welcome Wrights Vineyard & Winery to Wine Not! as one of our Founding Wineries.
A passion for organic winemaking
One of the things that makes Wrights Vineyard & Winery stand out is its commitment to certified organic wine production.
The winery describes its vineyards as certified organic, with no herbicides, insecticides or systemic chemicals used in its vineyard management. Its approach also incorporates biodiversity, composting and sustainable vineyard practices, reflecting a philosophy that looks beyond simply producing the next vintage.
Wrights produces several wine ranges, including Wrights Estate, Wrights Unfiltered, Natural Wine Co and Love It.
There’s also plenty of variety to discover, including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Rosé, Syrah, Zinfandel and traditional-method sparkling wine.
Chardonnay is particularly special at Wrights, with styles ranging from unoaked expressions through to richer, barrel-aged wines.
Award-winning wines putting Gisborne on the map
Wrights Vineyard & Winery has plenty to celebrate.
At the 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Organic Wine Awards, its Wrights Reserve Chardonnay 2024 was named Champion Chardonnay. The winery reports a total of 13 medals across its wines.
The awards included:
- Champion Chardonnay: Wrights Reserve Chardonnay 2024.
- Gold medals: Wrights Reserve Chardonnay 2024 and Wrights Estate Chardonnay 2024.
- Silver medals: Wrights Unfiltered Limited Reserve Syrah 2024 and Zinfandel 2024.
- Bronze medals: A selection of wines across the Estate, Natural Wine Co, Love It and sparkling ranges.
It’s fantastic recognition for the team and another reason to explore what Gisborne’s wine producers have to offer.
Visit the Wrights Vineyard & Winery cellar door
Of course, one of the best ways to discover a winery is to experience it yourself.
Wrights welcomes visitors to its cellar door at 1093 Wharerata Road, Manutuke, where guests can enjoy wine tastings, deli-style food and gourmet platters.
It’s an opportunity to sample the wines, learn more about the organic approach and enjoy a relaxed experience among the vines.
Whether you’re already familiar with Gisborne wines or discovering the region for the first time, the cellar door offers a lovely introduction to the winery.
Visitors can also explore the winery’s RV stays and park-over options, making it an interesting stop for travellers exploring the region.
Wine Not! tip: Make time to try some of the Chardonnay and ask the team about the different styles they produce. If you’re planning a larger group visit or want a tasting and platter experience, contact the winery ahead of time. Check current hours and visiting arrangements on the Wrights profile before travelling.
Meet one of Wine Not!’s Founding Wineries
At Wine Not!, we’re passionate about helping people discover New Zealand’s wineries and the people behind them.
We’re particularly excited to welcome Wrights Vineyard & Winery as one of our Founding Wineries.
A special thank you to Alice from Wrights Vineyard & Winery, who has been absolutely fantastic to work with throughout the process of joining Wine Not!
Luca from Wine Not! has thoroughly enjoyed working with Alice to bring Wrights on board as a Founding Winery. Her enthusiasm, support and willingness to be involved are exactly what makes building this community so rewarding.
Our Founding Wineries are an important part of what we’re creating at Wine Not!, and we’re grateful to have wineries like Wrights involved from the beginning.
We’re looking forward to helping more people discover their wines, their story and everything they offer visitors to Gisborne.
Discover Wrights Vineyard & Winery with Wine Not!
If you’re planning a trip to Gisborne, make sure you put Wrights Vineyard & Winery on your list.
From its certified organic vineyards and award-winning Chardonnay to its welcoming cellar door and gourmet platters, it’s a wonderful example of what makes New Zealand’s regional wine scene so special.
Discover the winery, explore its wines and plan your next visit.
- Find Wrights Vineyard & Winery on Wine Not!
- Explore more Gisborne wineries
- Visit the Wrights website for wines and cellar-door information
Wine Not! — Find somewhere worth the detour.
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