About
Mary's, located on Joll Road in Havelock North, is a family-owned winery that has carved out a loyal following in Hawke's Bay's competitive wine scene. Known for consistent quality across their range and a genuinely welcoming cellar door experience, Mary's focuses on small-batch production that reflects the region's terroir without the pretension you'll find at some larger neighbours. Their Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc are regulars on local restaurant lists, and the winery has built its reputation on word-of-mouth rather than heavy marketing — a good sign in a region saturated with wine tourism.
Expect a relaxed, unpretentious visit that typically lasts 1–2 hours depending on how much you want to chat with the team. The cellar door is genuinely family-friendly; kids are welcome, and there's a low-pressure approach to tasting — no "minimum spend" nonsense. It suits couples after a quiet afternoon, solo travellers looking for honest local knowledge, and families who don't want a stuffy wine experience. The space is modest but authentic, and staff know their wines inside out. On busy summer weekends it can get crowded, so weekday visits offer a more intimate experience.
Mary's fits naturally into a Hawke's Bay wine trail, sitting close enough to Havelock North's other attractions to combine with a lunch stop or afternoon at nearby gardens. The region's harvest season (February–March) brings extra energy to the winery, though good wines are available year-round. It's the kind of place locals bring visitors to when they want to show what real, unmarketed Hawke's Bay wine culture looks like.
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share your visit.