Jan and Tom Pinckney have diversified from the traditional 12,000ha grazing operation on Northburn Station to follow their passion for food, wine and hospitality.
Surrounded by mountains and overlooking Lake Dunstan near Cromwell, the 23ha vineyard - established in 1999 - produces about 2000 cases of wine a year, primarily pinot noir, but also pinot gris, riesling and rose.
Mrs Pinckney was the driving force behind the new venue, which will open for business publicly on Monday.
Affectionately known as "The Shed", the cellar door building is housed in a hay loft and stable-style building, modelled on the Northburn Station Homestead and adjacent historic woolshed of the 1850s.
The exterior features genuine Central Otago-style stonework and corrugated iron from the old Northburn woolshed covered yards, also built in the 1850s.
Mrs Pinckney said inside the cellar door, original materials from Northburn or neighbouring stations had been used wherever possible, including the floor, door and window frames made from Australian hardwood and ironbark from the sheep yards at Leaning Rock Station, which was part of Northburn Station in the 1920s.
The bar top was formed from kauri planks from the walls of the Leaning Rock dairy shed, and rimu architraves came from the old Northburn covered yards.
The doors to the toilets came from the station stables of the 1940s, and toilet vanity tops from the cattle yards, Mrs Pinckney said.
Next to the cellar door was the large multi-use function room, which has its first booking next month.
"As a working sheep station, it was important to us to retain a sense of the genuine history and heritage of the land in the new building," Mr Pinckney said.
"Our aim is to achieve a true Central Otago experience for visitors.
"There's the stunning, tranquil setting of The Shed alongside a small pond with resident ducks Huey, Dewey and Louie, perfect for families to enjoy a picnic platter while Mum and Dad sample our wines, to the huge outdoor fireplace that's a perfect relaxation spot, no matter the season."
A large kitchen garden alongside the cellar door and kitchen did not use commercial sprays, was weeded by hand, and used the farm's own fertiliser, he said.
A farm gate shop within the cellar door would sell merino meats from the farm, marinated by Mrs Pinckney, whitebait in season, produce from the garden, and individually prepared pre-cooked and take-home meals, aimed at people staying in visitor accommodation.
Mr and Mrs Pinckney will work in the kitchen, functions and cellar door operations, with Mrs Pinckney's brother Richard Broadhead the company wine operations manager and Mr Broadhead's partner, Pam Forster, the cellar door and function manager.
The Shed cellar door will be open seven days a week from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
For further information, visit www.northburn.co.nz.
