Spend 3 hours with a talented distiller from the National Distillery as they teach you the art (and science) of blending the perfect gin. You’ll learn about different flavour profiles & how to create a perfect mouthfeel using an array of different botanicals. Then blend your own take-home bottle! Enjoy a drink on to start, a tasting to hone your skills & to identify notes and flavours, a botanical workshop where you will blend your own personal gin. This class can be held within your retreat!!

Learn how to make delicious cocktails! The National Distillery has a selection of incredible bartenders turned distillers and now you can learn how to make not one but three delicious cocktails from the masters! They’ll teach you step by step and provide a fun experience, and the best part is… You get to drink what you make! This class can be held within your retreat! or onsite at the distillery.

Outfoxed is a unique destination set on a 1000 acre farm overlooking the South Pacific and breathtaking Hawke’s Bay landscape. If you are after memorable experiences, breathtaking views and down-to-earth hospitality, you should not miss a visit to Outfoxed. Activity options include Clay Bird Shooting, Archery, Knife Throwing & Lawn Games. Advance bookings are essential. Summer/Winter hours apply. Minimum spend/numbers may apply. Weather dependant.

We are lucky enough to have the world’s 495th Master of Wine, here in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay, and what’s better…he’d love to host a wine tasting in the comfort of your retreat! Let Michael’s passion for wine take you on a journey, from the acclaimed winemakers on our doorstep to celebrated old world producers. Each wine has been selected for its ability to please and inspire as well as having Michael there to share the stories that make your wines memorable. Let us know if you'd like mo

No need to pick up a key from the Cellar Door…drive straight to your retreat and be welcomed by one of the BBV team instead. They will not only open the front door to your new home, light the fire (during the colder months) or kick open the doors (for the warmer months), set the tone with some music in the background, but they will also be ready and waiting to fix you your first drink. Your toughest decision of the day might be which wine you sip on whilst you marvel at the view! ...

Your time is precious. The BB Shopping Service is simple; send us a shopping list and we will shop on your behalf. Our team is happy to go any where and this service is charged out by the hour ($50.00) plus delivery ($30.00 to all retreats and $50.00 to Waimarama/Te Awanga). Your items will be ready and waiting upon your arrival. Easy.

Want to buy someone a gift but can’t figure out exactly what? How about a BBV gift voucher?! Name the amount you want to spend and the lucky ‘giftee’ can use this voucher across BBV…lunch or dinner in the bistro, the BB kitchen, wine in the Cellar Door, or perhaps rock along at a BB concert!

Enjoy a relaxed, fun, boutique pop-up, Black Barn Picnic! The BBV team will set up on the front lawn of your retreat (or perhaps a secret location if you prefer?!). We’ll then leave you to marvel at the spectacular view, enjoy the sunshine and indulge! Included: ROAM Catering Grazing Box BBV Sparkling Rose

Coastal Wine Cycles have classic beach cruiser bikes from California for day hire in Haumoana – Te Awanga, Hawke’s Bay. They have wide comfortable seats, swept back handlebars, baskets, bells and oversize tyres…perfect for relaxed cycling. Try their Coastal Dash or The Coast & River Loop for a fun day out! Enquire for more info...

The Black Barn Kitchen offers gourmet ‘ready to heat’ meals which have been prepared by our Black Barn chefs or local artisan producers. A variety of locally produced food items are also available. These can be picked up when you check in (free of charge) or we can arrange to have these ready to go in the retreat ($30.00 delivery to all retreats and $50.00 to Waimarama/Te Awanga). The menu changes seasonally to take advantage of the freshest produce. Please contact us to send you a copy of our

Imagine indulging in the solitude and ambience on one of our Hawke’s Bay rivers, casting your line to our wild Trout, whilst your local guide assists you in experiencing that exciting tug on the end of your line. Your guide is focused on enabling you to sight, cast to, hook and land strong and fit Rainbow and Brown Trout, most of quite an impressive size. Half day and full day packages available. Enquire for more info...

Arrive to a spectacular arrangement of fresh seasonal flowers. Skillfully crafted by the Bay's best florists! Tell us what you are envisaging and we will make it happen.

Whether you wish to bring in your own helicopter or you would like us to arrange one for you, we have a number of landing sites in close proximity to our retreats and vineyard. Tell us where you want to go and we will do our best to make it happen. Heli Golfing, Heli Fishing, Scenic flights and more…you are spoilt for choice. Ask us for more information and pricing!

Smith & Sheth invite you to experience our culture of wine with a private, sensory journey through their craft. Guided by their sommelier, you will explore three major winegrowing regions of New Zealand, sampling limited-production wines from their family of fine wine estates. An interactive experience, they will awake the senses tasting a range of wine varietals and styles, drawing exclusive samples direct from the barrel, and immersing in audio visual de

Here at Black Barn Retreats, we focus on an uninterrupted stay. If you do wish to have your retreat serviced however, that is no problem. We can arrange partial or full services and will fit this in with your schedule - ask us more!

We can arrange to have a driver waiting for you upon arrival into Napier Domestic Airport to whisk you directly to your retreat. You may prefer to leave the driving to us and have an indulgent lunch or dinner at one of our local wineries or restaurants. Ask us for more information and pricing!

Picture this…Your private tour of the region will begin with collection from your accommodation in one of our luxury vehicles. From there, your eyes will feast upon the marriage of architecture and New Zealand's natural landscape when you visit a host of local wineries, with our informative, relaxed guide at the helm. Hawke's Bay is renowned as a locavore's haven. Before lunch, an insight into a running, organic orchard on stunning grounds will give

There may be a special occasion or you may simply wish to enjoy a meal cooked for you in the comfort of your retreat. We can arrange to have a chef prepare and serve a meal for you in one of the several dining areas at your retreat. We work with a selection of talented and esteemed local Chefs and Catering companies. Ask us for more information and pricing.

Looking for something to do on your visit to Hawkes Bay or fancy a unique transfer on a family occasion? We have a number of great local and professional chauffeurs who provide the highest level of service. Ask us for more information and pricing!

A BBV Cellar Door team member will conduct a private tasting with our current BBV release wines in the comfort of your retreat. Learn the history of Black Barn with an in-depth look at our wines, vineyards, and other elements of Black Barn Vineyards. Let us know if you would like to add a beautiful platter to compliment your tasting! Bookings essential. Enquire for more info...

Perhaps you would like to dine out or attend a concert in the amphitheatre? We can arrange a suitable baby sitter for you. Our child minders are all registered, trusted and well experienced. POA.

We are fortunate enough to have a tennis pro on hand to coach our retreat guests. Rudolf, a high-performance tennis coach, enjoys helping not only athletes but tennis enthusiasts and ‘lovers’ to improve their game. With a wonderful tennis history and career spanning almost 30 years, you will thoroughly enjoy Rudolf’s style of coaching which he tailors to suit everyone, young and old, fit and un-fit. When staying with us at Black Barn Retreats, there is always a tennis court in proximity

Your retreat is only a short driving distance to some of the top wineries and dining establishments. For a full list of our recommended restaurant options please refer to the BBV Guest Compendium. We are happy to make reservations for you on your behalf, please just let us know when and where you wish to dine and we will do our best to secure you the finest table in the house.

As part of your stay, locally sourced continental breakfast provisions are included for the first morning. If you would like provisions for each morning of your stay, this can be arranged easily at an additional $15.00 per person per day. Dreaming of a full cooked breakfast, including local free-range eggs and Holly bacon? Just ask for our ‘Artisan Upgrade’ and we will add the very best from our local growers and producers (additional $25.00 per person per day).

Your retreat has ample spaces to relax in, so why not add to your relaxation with a soothing massage? We work with a number of highly skilled and qualified masseuses here in Hawke’s Bay where every massage is individualized and tailored to you personally. Relaxation, Sweedish, Neuro Muscular or Deep Pressure – you name it!

Fancy an invigorating yoga session to keep your body and mind in balance? We work with a couple of the finest instructors here in the Hawke's Bay can provide you with a private session in the comfort of your retreat. Yoga mats and equipment provided.

The best way to explore an area is through your palate. Having done this for 30 years in Europe as a food writer and cheese master, Juliet will give you the insiders view of Hawke's Bay to discover the lesser known gems of the food, wine, design and art world as you travel through this region of outstanding natural beauty.

The ultimate room for your private lunch or dinner, meeting or presentation, cocktail party or magical small wedding. Situated facing our cellar door and bistro at the opposite end of a row of fig trees, The Cabana feels connected to everything at Black Barn but totally private and totally yours for the duration of your booking. With complete flexibility on seating and table plans, it can be booked for a small private meeting of six up to a seated maximum of 32.

Taste, Discover, Experience Hawkes Bay with Tailored Travel, private tours that are not one size fits all offering unique experiences that go above and beyond. Experience the very best Hawke’s Bay has to offer. Taste awarding winning local wines and go behind the scenes to discover what makes their drop unique... Hawke’s Bay is of course well known for its wines but there is so much more to discover ... craft beer, gin, local produce & artisan products, farmers markets and spectacular

This is a self-guided and very scenic cycle and featuring some of the regions favourite wineries! Your adventure starts at Black Barn Vineyards before heading to Te Mata Estate. From here you enjoy a 16km cycle on the limestone cycle trail of the landscapes ride, following the Tuki Tuki River, to the coastal communities of Haumoana and Te Awanga. By now you’ll be ready to taste some more fine wine at Elephant Hill, Clearview Estate and Te Awanga Estate. Enquire for more info...

If you love food, wine & especially cheese then this is an unmissable, unique experience. You will meet world expert and international cheese judge Juliet Harbutt, at her home, above the winery, where you will taste your way through Hawke’s Bays’ finest wines, best beers or newest ciders matched with New Zealand’s best artisan cheese. Accompanied by artisan bread, edible wildflowers from Juliet’s garden and seasonal fruit & vegetables, this is a degustation you won’t want to end. Hilarious