Nockie’s Palette

Nockie’s Palette offers a wine experience that’s a little different from the traditional cellar door stop. Located near Lake Hayes, just outside Queenstown, it’s a wine stop that combines fine art with viticulture and a healthy serving of creativity.

The cellar door is shared with Stoneridge Estate and set within an English-style garden, with views over Lake Hayes and Coronet Peak. Tastings here are guided and friendly, with plenty of time to ask questions and enjoy the wines.

When you visit Nockie’s Palette on a wine tour, expect an introduction to a range of boutique wines produced in small batches from different wine regions. Pinot Noir features strongly, along with Rosé, Chardonnay and Shiraz.

The winery is known for the original artworks on each wine label. For many guests, Nockie’s Palette is a refreshing change of pace, relaxed, engaging and genuinely unique.

Nockie’s Palette was founded in 2009 by Australian artist and businessman Michael Nock. The winery grew from Michael’s passion for quality wine, particularly traditional European styles, and a long-standing commitment to supporting artists and creative work.

Rather than handling everything in-house, Michael partnered with highly experienced winemakers, matching specific grape varieties to the people who know them best. One of the earliest collaborations was with John Duval, former Chief Winemaker at Penfolds.

Art was integral to the winery from day one. Through the NockArt Foundation, which supports artist residencies, the winery has championed original artworks on its wine labels. Over the years, these labels have featured work by well-known Australian artists, including Reg Mombassa and Euan Macleod.

As the winery evolved, Nockie’s Palette expanded its focus into New Zealand. In 2017, the winery purchased Georgetown Vineyard near Cromwell, a historic site with roots in the region’s goldmining past. This marked a shift towards greater control over fruit supply and style, particularly for Central Otago wines. Further planting followed at Willowbell Vineyard in Queensberry in 2020.

Nockie’s Palette later established its permanent cellar door at Stoneridge Estate, a property built over decades by the Gore family using reclaimed stone and materials from historic buildings. Today, Nockie’s Palette works with a small team of specialist winemakers across multiple regions, enabling it to offer a diverse range of wines while maintaining a personal, considered approach.

Nockie’s Palette produces a small range of boutique wines made through collaboration. Rather than working with a single head winemaker, founder Michael Nock brings together experienced winemakers, each specialising in particular varieties or regions. The aim is to pair the right wine style with the right person to make it.

Central Otago features strongly in the range. Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay are crafted with a focus on balance and finesse, emphasising freshness rather than power. These wines draw on estate fruit from Central Otago vineyards, including the historic Georgetown site near Cromwell, and reflect the region’s cooler growing conditions.

Each part of the range is overseen by winemakers who are deeply familiar with their chosen varieties. Central Otago wines are shaped by local specialists, while longstanding collaborations continue in Australia and Hawke’s Bay. Newer partnerships in recent years have further expanded the range, bringing in additional Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from the South Island.

The Nockie’s Palette cellar door is set within manicured English-style gardens near Lake Hayes, shared with Stoneridge. The setting encourages visitors to slow down, find a seat and enjoy the tasting without pressure.

Inside, the cellar door blends wine tasting with a visual feast. The property features original artworks that appear on wine labels and throughout the space. Outside, garden views and nearby mountain scenery create a calm backdrop for the experience.

Step inside the cellar door and discover a unique blend of wine tasting and vibrant visual art. Original artworks, also showcased on Nockie’s Palette wine labels, adorn the space, creating an inspiring atmosphere. Outside, guests are treated to a tranquil garden setting with views across Lake Hayes and Coronet Peak in the distance.

Tastings are guided and typically include wines from both Nockie’s Palette and Stoneridge, offering a good variety in a single stop. Wine-and-painting sessions are also held here.

The wider property includes a historic church building that has gained recognition for its use as a filming location. For many guests, Nockie’s Palette feels less like a traditional winery visit and more like a creative experience, making it a standout part of a Queenstown wine tour.