Norman Hardie Winery and Vineyard sits on Greer Road near Wellington and is one of the county's most popular tasting stops. Its walk-in tasting bar pours a flight of four wines for a modest fee, and a curated tour and tasting is offered on weekends by advance booking. In season, a pizza oven and patio serve wood-fired pizza and other simple food. The pizza oven runs from spring to early November, and a winter food programme then runs daily through April, with indoor seating among the barrels and fire pits on sunny days. It is first-come, first-served, with no reservations for the casual areas.
What to do
Walk in for the flight of four wines at the tasting bar, which needs no reservation, or book the longer curated tour and tasting, offered on Fridays to Sundays at 11 am and booked online at least a day ahead. The winery's reputation rests on cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and the setting among barrels and vines is relaxed rather than formal. In the open season, pizza on the patio is the classic pairing.
Seasons and planning
The tasting bar and the pizza oven keep the same hours, Sunday to Friday from 11 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, though these can change by season. The pizza oven closes in early November and reopens in April, and the winter food programme runs through the cold months. Seating is first-come, first-served, and reservations are only taken for groups of eight or more by email, not on Saturdays. Phone ahead if the weather is poor.
Fitting it in
Allow an hour to ninety minutes for a flight and a snack, or two hours with the curated tour. The winery is a short drive from Wellington and not far from Sandbanks, so it combines easily with a beach day in season or a village walk in winter. Weekends fill up quickly, so arrive early in the day, and agree on a driver before you start. Bottles can be bought to take home, which is the usual finish.
What to expect
The experience
A walk-in tasting bar and, in season, a patio with a wood-fired pizza oven, plus a winter food programme indoors among the barrels.
Best time
The pizza oven runs from April to early November; the winter food programme and the tasting bar carry on through the cold months.
How long
Allow about an hour for a flight and a bite, or two hours with the curated tour.
Tips
Walk in for the four-wine flight, book the curated tour a day ahead, arrive early on weekends and plan a driver.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want a casual tasting and a simple lunch with a view of the vines.
- Families
- The patio is relaxed and the food is simple, but the focus is wine, so older children fit better than toddlers.
- Couples
- Share a flight and a fire-pit seat on a sunny winter afternoon.
- Pair with
- Closson Chase, Sandbanks and Wellington village sit close by.
- Time needed
- An hour to ninety minutes on site, plus a short drive from Wellington.
Good questions
Is the pizza oven open in winter?+
The pizza oven runs from April to early November. After that a winter food programme runs daily through April.
Do I need a reservation?+
No for the tasting bar and the casual seating, which are first-come, first-served. The curated tour and tasting must be booked online at least 24 hours ahead.
What are the tasting hours?+
The site lists Sunday to Friday from 11 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Check the site before you go, since hours can change.
What does a tasting cost?+
The site lists a flight of four wines for a modest fee and the curated tour and tasting at a higher per-person price. Check the page for current amounts.
Where is Norman Hardie?+
At 1152 Greer Road, Wellington. It is a short drive from Wellington village and from Sandbanks.
