Tasteology

Located in the former post office in the picturesque Upper Moutere, Tasteology curates the best of artisan food and drink and handmade art objects under one roof. 

It’s an unexpected pitstop as you zoom along the Moutere Highway, but worth a detour. Though the outside of the building is simple and understated in white and sage green, the inside overflows with colour. Run by Maria Gonzalez and Cam Woods, “taste” really is at the heart of everything at this boutique shop, and the duo stock the shelves with small-batch high-end foodstuffs, often from producers just down the road—think jams, chutneys and mustards, dried forest mushroom mixes, olive oils, hot sauces, sausages and more—as well as carefully chosen homegoods and arts. If you want to know what’s new or in vogue, their weekly Friday videos on Instagram are a good place to start.

Grab a coffee or a small sweet something from the counter as you browse, or settle in on the window stools to people/car watch on the main road. If coffee isn’t your thing, tucked in the back of the building is the Wine Vault. The unassuming nook is stocked with a range of fine wines from places like Flaxmore Vineyards, Kahurangi Estate and Middle-Earth.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or that picky member of your whānau, Tasteology has you covered.