Wānaka’s Rippon Vineyard has been named among the Top 50 Most Amazing Vineyard Experiences for 2023 by World’s Best Vineyards (WBV).

The local vineyard came in at 11th on the list and was also chosen by WBV as the best winery in Australasia.  

Judges described Rippon as the “perfect location for an evening of music and merrymaking beneath the southern stars”.

“Breathtaking though it may be, every aspect – from the ground up – contributes to making the vineyard and its wines unique.”

Rippon joined prestigious vineyards from Chile, Argentina, Spain and France on the list.

“To see Wānaka sitting alongside the major wine regions of the world as a wine destination speaks volumes to the work of the region’s winegrowers and how far we have come in a short period of time,” Rippon cellar door manager Hazel Nasta said. 

Rippon, which overlooks Lake Wānaka, is a family-owned and run vineyard with some of the oldest commercial vines in the region. 

It is host to an on-site Cellar Door where visitors can book in and taste a range of the farm’s wines; Rippon Hall is an events space for concerts, pop-up restaurants and private celebrations.

“The visitor experience at Rippon is the final stage of our vine to glass approach to wine growing,” Hazel said.

“Every stage respects what has come before and we always hope that visitors will get a feel for the care and consideration that goes into our farming at Rippon.”

See the full Top 50 list here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App