Moutere Artisans Open Day

This annual event brings people from all over the country to taste the new olive oil and the new release wines, to experience some of the country’s finest cheeses and artisanal foods and to talk to talented artists – people who make baskets, sculptures, jewellery and ceramics.

The artisans work together to celebrate life in one of the most picturesque villages in the country.

It is a superb day out. On Sunday 27 October, 2024, the Moutere Artisans invite you to their village to experience really, really, nice stuff. This now bi-annual event brings people from all over the province to taste the new olive oil, the new release wines, to experience some of the country’s finest cheeses and talk to talented artists – people who make baskets, sculpture, and ceramics.

It is a superb day out. The artisans work together to celebrate life in one of the most picturesque villages in the country. The Moutere Hills Community Centre will be functioning as a central information and facilities hub for the event. At the MHCC you will find maps, parking, an information signboard, toilet facilities, and water. (No artisans at this location) To help ease congestion, consider carpooling with friends or family to make the day an even more social occasion!

Carpool parking is available at the Moutere Hills Community Centre and Neudorf Black (92 Neudorf Road).

Upper Moutere is home to New Zealand’s oldest pub – The Moutere Inn (172 years young!). For more delicious food and wine, call in and visit Moutere Hills Restaurant & Cellar Door, or dazzle your tastebuds with the culinary creations at BearLionFoods. At the Old Post Office, stock up on divine traditional jams and preserves made with local fruit by Moutere Gold. Here you’ll also find the gorgeous woven creations at Heartstone Baskets and right next door – the international award-winning designer jeweller Stacy Whale.

Right across the road, visit the incredibly picturesque Bartlett & Gold Gallery for amazing clay art and pottery. Onto Neudorf Road. First, you will come across Neudorf Black – producers of New Zealand’s best range of black garlic products – unique, natural, and packed with flavour. A side trip down Kelling Road will take you to Jo Smith Paeonies with a range of fragrant Paeonie infused products and saffron. Further up Neudorf Road, you will find Thorvald Cheese. Talk with the cheesemaker and taste some of their amazing range of sheep and cow’s milk cheese. For a stunning array of hand-sculpted art and homewares (and a fantastic cup of coffee!), your next stop should be Michael Macmillan Sculptor & Country Homeware.

Then continue on to Sausage Press Deli Co. – makers of delicacies like pork and fennel sausages, salami, and smoked duck. At Neudorf Mushrooms (weather & mushroom availability permitting) you can find out about the secret life of fungi, then travel to the spectacular Neudorf Olives for a wonderful view of their grove while tasting new olive oils. So much glorious wine comes from the Moutere. Sitting on top of the ridge at Flaxmore Vineyards you can visit their gallery, walk around the vineyard and enjoy the view across to the mountains while trying their wines. Gravity Cellars is also open from 11:00 am with great wines, delicious food, and a gallery featuring local artists.

At Neudorf Vineyards, you can experience amazing wines in a gorgeous setting and sign up for spaces on their guided tasting tour. It’s a really, really interesting day in the country and a perfect way to mark the changing of the seasons. Visit the Artisans from 10 am until 4 pm.