Taste the Tasman with Nelson's Artisan Makers, Bakers and Food Producers

Man holding beer flight from McCashin's.

Nelson is humming with makers, bakers and producers. Meet some of them here.

Words by: Petra Nyman

Photography by: Nancy Zhou & Supplied

Nelson Tasman is filled with passionate entrepreneurs who practice traditional baking methods, hand-make wine, roast coffee and make the best use of the top of the South Island’s bounty.

A trip to this region known for its enviable sunshine hours wouldn’t be complete without sampling some of the produce and products it’s home to. From world famous peanut butter to craft beer goodness, small batch roasted coffee to hand made chocolate and a Saturday market showcasing a huge variety of everything locally made and grown, Nelson Tasman is a destination where appreciating all things artisan comes easy.

Hogarth Chocolate

10F Kotua Place Stoke, Nelson

From a small factory in Nelson, Hogarth create award-winning small batch chocolate handmade from bean to bar. Using only the highest quality cacao beans from around the world, and not much else, you can truly taste cacao. Buttered toast with sea salt would be our pick for starting a new chocolate addiction. 

Appleby Farms

26A McMahon Street, Nelson

Two neighbouring third and fourth generation Nelson farmers wanted to create dairy the way it used to be. So they bred their cows to be 100% certified A2 to produce great milk and they started making ice cream from cow to cone. Nowadays Appleby Farms’ ice cream can be found in grocers and supermarkets across the country. All ingredients are as natural as possible with no added colours, and they use locally sourced products such as their neighbours boysenberries and local Sublime Coffee beans. To elevate your ice cream experience, head down to Tahunanui Beach during the summer and grab a scoop from their Airstream caravan. 

McCashin's Brewery

Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

660 Main Road Stoke, Stoke, Nelson

An iconic brewery in Stoke, McCashin’s Brewery has been producing craft beer and cider since the early ‘80s. Take a tour of the brewery, meet the makers, and discover the rich history of the company. Or, simply pop in for a tasting tray and some delicious grub from McCashin’s restaurant and watch the production line in full swing through the viewing window.

Soul Arch Coffee Roasters

www.soularchcoffee.com

Soul Arch Coffee Roasters is a grassroots family business roasting coffee beans for Bobby Frank’s Café. Sample the brews and purchase beans by the bag to take home with you at the café, or just sit and enjoy. Coffee made from small batch roasted, responsibly sourced beans is what you should be drinking!

Neudorf Vineyards

138 Neudorf Road, Nelson

Neudorf Vineyards is a small vineyard tucked near the gravelly clays of Moutere Hills. Producers of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and aromatics, Neudorf’s cellar door is worth a visit for sampling and purchasing some of their award-winning wines while taking in the stunning views of the vineyard.

Golden Bear Brewing

501/6 Aranui Road, Mapua Wharf, Māpua

Perched right beside the historic Māpua wharf, Golden Bear Brewing is an award-winning brewery which offers a wide range of craft beers and possibly one of the most picturesque spots in Nelson to enjoy a pint. The brewery has LA-inspired Mexican food and live music every Friday and Sunday.

Sublime Roastery & Brew Bar

Cafes key icon.

Nelson

Sublime Coffee Roasters is a family business committed to ethical coffee relationships and has been roasting coffee in Nelson since 2005. Nowadays their beans are available across the country, but all Sublime beans are roasted in Nelson. Visit the Sublime Brew Bar to take in all the roastery action and sample the good stuff.

Townshend Brewery

502 High St, Motueka

A genuine real ale brewery, Townshend Brewery uses local Nelson hops and ancient water from the Motueka aquifer, plus traditional brewing methods to craft their beers. The award-winning brewery is located right behind Toad Hall, which is where you can pick up a selection of Townshend beers.

Nelson Market

Montgomery Square, Nelson

Nelson Market is a hub for all things local. Find an ever-changing representation of independent makers and producers and sample Nelson Tasman products such as Hogarth Chocolate Makers chocolate (try the buttered toast & sea salt), Norb’s Gold raw organic honey and Rodrigo’s Sourdough Bakery. Every Saturday 8am - 1pm. 

Workshop Brewery

32c New Street, Nelson

A small craft brewery on Nelson’s New Street, Workshop Brewery began as a one-man band back in 2018. Now with an onsite brewery and bar, plus a kitchen churning out some hefty burgers and pizzas, it’s a destination for quenching your thirst as well as a treat for your taste buds.

Pic’s Peanut Butter World

Stoke, Nelson

Pic’s is the maker of some of the best peanut butter in New Zealand, and at Pic’s Peanut Butter World you’ll get to see just how it makes its way into a jar. Discover the story behind this local peanut butter business and taste an array of goodness made in their Stoke factory.

The Baker's Coffee Shop

105 Collingwood Street, Nelson

The Baker’s Coffee Shop is an award-winning bakery and café, which produces a varied selection of European-style pastries and handcrafted sourdough bread. Try the popular almond croissant, pair it with a nicely brewed Havana coffee and tuck a sourdough under your arm on your way out.

Neat Nelson Tasman Places

Kiwi Spirit Distillery

Bottles of spirits lined up on a wooden table on a sunny day.
Place Golden Bay
Bars key icon. Goods key icon.

At Kiwi Spirit Distillery in Golden Bay, you’ll find craft gins, spirits and liqueurs made with local botanicals and more than a dash of good taste.

Bacca Bakery

A staff member working behind the counter in the Bacca Bakery cafe.
Place Golden Bay
Cafes key icon.

Flavour, nutrition, and affordability are the calling cards of Bacca Bakery, a two-person operation of love in Parapara.

Zappekin Artists & Allies

Studio space at Zappekin Artists & Allies, Nelson Tasman.
Place Nelson Tasman
Galleries and museum key icon.

Zappekin Artists & Allies is a co-op of seven resident creatives formed to create community for local artists, a space to come together and work in, exhibit and collaborate in.

flamedaisy

Woman looking around the gallery at flamedaisy.
Place Nelson Tasman
Galleries and museum key icon.

Home of stunning hand-blown glass and neon art by artist Anthony Genet.