Rippon Hall
A restored woolshed on the shores of Lake Wānaka — ceremony on the vineyard terrace with the Southern Alps behind you, then dinner indoors without moving a guest.
Rippon sits on one of the most photographed stretches of lakeshore in the country. The ceremony terrace faces due west across the lake to the mountains, and the restored woolshed behind it seats every guest for dinner — so rain never changes the plan, only the backdrop.
Listed on weddingvenues.co.nzThe questions every couple asks first
Where the lake meets the vines
The ceremony terrace sits at the edge of the vineyard, a flat lawn that drops to the lake shore. Behind your guests, rows of pinot noir. In front of you, Lake Wānaka and the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park. There is no built structure in the sightline — just water, rock, and sky.
Rippon Hall itself is a restored woolshed with high timber ceilings, concrete floors polished to a shine, and barn doors that open the full width of the southern wall. In summer they stay open through dinner; in autumn they close and the room holds its warmth.
In the venue hire
- Sole use of the hall and vineyard terrace
- Ceremony area with lake and mountain views
- Tables, chairs and linen for 140
- A venue coordinator on the day
- Indoor wet-weather ceremony space
- Guest parking on the vineyard
Catering is arranged through approved partners — the venue can introduce you and help with seasonal menus.
Third-generation winemaker and custodian of the vineyard. Nick opened the hall for weddings in 2012 and manages every booking personally — the place matters to him as much as it will to you.
The honest detail
- No on-site accommodation. Wānaka is six minutes away with hundreds of beds — but you'll need to arrange shuttles for the end of the night.
- Wind off the lake. The terrace is open to the south-west. A still day is glorious; a windy one needs the indoor option. The forecast is your friend.
- BYO not permitted. Rippon is a working vineyard — their own wines are served alongside a full bar. Most couples see this as a feature.
How the hours tend to fall
Every wedding is its own — but the venue has a natural rhythm, and picturing it helps couples know if it's theirs.
Ceremony on the terrace
Guests face the lake and the ranges. Late afternoon light falls across the vineyard — the golden hour photographers talk about.
Drinks on the lawn
Canapés and local wine on the vineyard lawn while photos happen along the lake shore — no travel, no waiting.
Dinner in the hall
Long tables under the timber beams, barn doors open to the evening. The caterer serves; speeches happen between courses.
Dancing until midnight
The hall clears for a dance floor. Wānaka is a six-minute drive — shuttles run guests back when they're ready.