Acoustic Sundays on the Lawn: Church Road Gwen Summer Sessions Return

By Alyssa | WhatsOn local events writer Alyssa picks out timely events, local favourites and useful places to eat, stay and explore.

Hawke's Bay's sun-drenched wine country tradition steps into its tenth season as the Church Road Gwen Summer Sessions take over the sprawling historic parkland of Church Road Winery in Taradale. Across lazy Sunday afternoons, this beloved monthly gathering transforms the winery's sheltered amphitheatre of ancient trees into an unpretentious garden retreat featuring live acoustic performances, rotating Hawke's Bay food trucks, and generous pours of Church Road's signature Gwen wine range.

Sun-Drenched Grass, Smoked Street Bites, and Acoustic Sets

The afternoon carries a gentle, unhurried pace that sets the rhythm for summer in Taradale. Under the wide canopy of plane trees, blankets unfurl across the velvet lawn as the gentle strum of acoustic guitars drifts through the vineyard breeze. On stage, artists like Mon Shelford, Cambell Burns, and the Urban Duke Duo deliver stripped-back, melodic sets that glide effortlessly from folk-pop storytelling into soulful afternoon grooves. The acoustic setup never overwhelms; instead, it provides a warm musical current that allows easy conversation to flourish around picnic rugs and low deck chairs.

Drifting aromas of wood smoke, charred flatbreads, and sizzling barbecue signal the food truck line-up stationed along the edge of the lawn. You will find vendors dishing out fresh pulled pork sliders, crisp hand-cut fries dusted with sea salt, and spicy regional street food designed to pair with chilled glasses of Gwen Rosé or crisp Hawke's Bay Chardonnay. Families stretch out on broad tartan throws, children toss beanbags in the open grassy clearings, and visitors sip aromatic wines from stemless glasses while soaking up the midday heat under dappled tree shade.

A Ten-Year Tapestry of Sunday Lawn Culture

What makes the Gwen Summer Sessions a regional staple is their effortless, communal hospitality. Unlike ticketed festival arenas where movement is rigidly corralled, the atmosphere here mirrors a massive, welcoming neighbourhood picnic. You will spot three generations of local families gathered around low fold-out tables alongside visiting couples travelling the wine trails and well-behaved dogs quietly snoozing on leashes beside their owners' chairs.

The grounds carry a deep sense of viticultural heritage, being one of New Zealand's pioneering wineries, yet the mood on these Sundays remains completely down-to-earth. The crowd shifts gradually through the afternoon: early risers secure prime shaded positions right near the performers, while groups arriving after a leisurely morning wander around the historic cellars settle in near the back lawns with platters and cold bottles, clinking glasses as the sun dips lower behind the western hills.

Know Before You Go

• Arrive close to the noon gate opening to claim coveted shady spots under the mature trees, especially if bringing a larger group with extensive picnic blankets.
• Entry is an easy $3 payable right at the gate on arrival, making it one of the most accessible Sunday outings in the region.
• Four-legged companions are warmly welcomed on the lawn, but dogs must remain strictly on a lead at all times.
• Leave eskies and hampers behind: outside food and BYO alcohol are strictly prohibited, with plenty of regional food trucks, water stations, and winery bars operating on site.
• Pack low-profile picnic chairs, sunscreen, and wide-brim hats, as shade moves across the open grass throughout the afternoon.
• Check the official event guidelines and seasonal updates directly through Church Road Winery before heading out.

Make a Weekend of It

Visiting Taradale for the Sunday sessions provides the ideal anchor for an extended wine and heritage break across Napier and Hastings. If you want to start the day with sweeping maritime panoramas before heading inland to the vines, take a gentle morning drive up to Bluff Hill Lookout to watch coastal shipping enter the port from high above the Pacific breakers. From there, stop by the waterfront at Napier isite Visitor Information Centre to pick up regional trail maps and heritage walking route guides.

Those keen to immerse themselves deeper in regional history can pair their afternoon with a visit to neighboring Taradale landmarks. Just a short walk up the road, the historic grounds at Mission Estate Restaurant offer panoramic valley views, heritage cellar tours, and refined lunchtime plates in New Zealand's oldest winemaking estate. If you prefer rustic country hospitality with generous pub classics, head westward out into the valley to settle in at The Puketapu for hearty fireside fare and cold local draughts.

For art and garden lovers venturing south toward Havelock North on a multi-day itinerary, an afternoon wander through the sculpture gardens and traditional sweet shop at Birdwoods Havelock North makes a charming countryside companion. Finish your getaway nestled among the limestone slopes of the Tukituki Valley with an unforgettable dinner at Craggy Range Restaurant, dining on locally sourced Hawke's Bay lamb under the towering presence of Te Mata Peak.

Few things capture the generous spirit of Hawke's Bay quite like a Sunday afternoon spent listening to live acoustic chords under the trees at Church Road, cold glass in hand. — Alyssa, WhatsOn Hawke's Bay