Gibbston’s iconic church doors will open again today.
The Church Cellar Door and Cafe was formerly known as Cargo Cellar Door, and leased by Queenstown couple Meron and Malcolm Blakey till April.
It’s now been taken over by ‘Q’ Belk and Sherry Thornburg, who’ve owned the adjacent Stronsay Farm for the past 20 years.
They bought the church and attached vineyard from Alistair Ward and Paula Ramage five years ago.
‘‘We loved the church and didn’t want it to be subdivided and developed.
“As owners/managers, we hope we can do it justice,’’ Belk says.
The Presbyterian church was constructed in Wangaloa, in South Otago, in 1895 and moved to Gibbston in 2000.
It’s since been a fixture in the area, first as Waitiri Creek, till 2017, then Cargo.
Along with the church building, the grounds feature a cricket pitch, volleyball pit, games area and extensive outdoor area.
Belk says it’ll serve as a hub for the Gibbston community, featuring local wines including Mount Edward and Stronsay Shanagolden chardonnay, and dining.
From today, it will open Thursdays to Mondays from 11am to 6pm.
