Hawke’s Bay, one of the world’s Great Wine Capitals, is celebrated not only for its award-winning wines but also for the way its wineries embrace and champion the arts. Here, winegrowing and artistry intertwine, creating unique experiences that enrich the region’s cultural fabric and offer visitors more than just a taste of fine wine. Three standout examples — Black Barn Vineyards, The Art Shed at Crab Farm Winery, and the Bridge Pa Sculpture Trail with Paritua Winery — highlight how collaboration between artisans, winemakers, and the wider community is shaping Hawke’s Bay into a destination of creativity and connection.
Black Barn Vineyards: A Stage for the Arts
At Black Barn Vineyards, arts and culture are woven into the very foundations of the winery. Long before vines were planted, the team envisioned a purpose-built amphitheatre nestled into the vineyard’s natural north-facing slope. Today, this 2,000-seat venue is celebrated as New Zealand’s finest intimate outdoor stage, drawing acclaimed musicians, comedians, and performers from across the globe.
What makes the amphitheatre special is not only its acoustics and design but also the collaborative spirit behind it. From food trucks to lighting, wine tents to security, Black Barn partners with local businesses to deliver exceptional events. Alongside its summer concert series, the vineyard also supports writers residencies and showcases local artists through its retreats and bistro, where winter performances bring together music, comedy, food, and wine in an atmosphere of pure magic. By placing the arts at its heart, Black Barn demonstrates how collaboration can create experiences that linger long after the last note fades.
Crab Farm Winery and The Art Shed: A Multi-Sensory Haven
At Crab Farm Winery in Bay View, collaboration takes the form of The Art Shed — a rustic gallery infused with a ‘hygge’ ambience of warmth, comfort, and creativity that sits alongside the cellar door and restaurant. Here, a collective of local artists display and sell their works, each piece crafted, painted, and designed to reflect the region’s unique character.
From the moment visitors step through its gates, they are welcomed by vibrant garden art and a striking mural that sets the tone for the experience. Inside, the scent of candles mingles with the earthy aroma of wood, creating an atmosphere of anticipation. Guests pause to take in the visual feast of paintings, sculptures, and handcrafted pieces before continuing on to enjoy Crab Farm’s great wines and cuisine. The Art Shed illustrates how wineries can nurture grassroots artistry, offering local creators a platform while providing visitors with a layered, multi-sensory journey that pairs beautifully with the pleasures of wonderful wine and great food.
Bridge Pa Sculpture Trail and Paritua: Art in the Landscape
A partnership between Arts Inc. Heretaunga and Paritua winery, the Bridge Pa Sculpture Trail transforms a vineyard landscape into a curated gallery under open skies. Winding through Paritua’s serene grounds, the 1.5-kilometre trail features 20+ large-scale installations by some of New Zealand’s leading sculptors, seamlessly blending nature, creativity, and viticulture.
On display for a month, visitors are invited to explore the artworks at their own pace, with the opportunity to pause at Paritua’s cellar door for tastings of wines grown in the very vineyards they are walking through. To complete the experience, regional flavours are brought to life through platters prepared by Paritua for a picnic-style indulgence. Smaller sculptural works are also displayed and available for purchase in the tasting room, extending the connection between artist, visitor, and winery. This collaboration exemplifies how art can animate a landscape, drawing people deeper into both the creative and winemaking stories of Hawke’s Bay.
A Region Defined by Collaboration
These three examples highlight the unique ways in which Hawke’s Bay wineries are collaborating with artists, artisans, and local businesses to create experiences that go beyond the glass. Whether through live performances in a vineyard amphitheatre, a rustic art gallery buzzing with creative energy, or a sculpture trail that transforms a winery into a living canvas, these collaborations enrich the cultural heartbeat of the region.