NZ: Multimillion-Dollar Golf and Wine Complex ‘Caythorpe Green’ Planned for Blenheim

Plans have been unveiled for Caythorpe Green, a multimillion-dollar recreation, hospitality, and golf development situated on 10 hectares of farmland on New Renwick Road in Blenheim. Combining high-tech golfing facilities with Marlborough’s renowned wine industry, the venue will feature a cellar door, a 22-bay driving range, an 18-hole mini-golf course, indoor simulators, golf retail, and a bar and bistro.

The project is being developed on land owned by the Bishell family—fifth-generation farmers and grape-growers whose Marlborough agricultural operations date back to 1880. Located near Fairhall School and a short distance from Marlborough Golf Club, the project will occupy existing grazing land without removing any active vineyards.

Family Heritage and Estate Diversification

The venture is the brainchild of brothers Simon and Scott Bishell. After expanding family operations into horticulture, viticulture, and launching their own wine label in 2015, the family sought to add a tourism and hospitality component to their business.

Simon Bishell explained that while establishing a cellar door had been a long-term goal, adding golf provided a distinct attraction.

“I’ve always had in the back of my mind, it’d be quite nice if we could start up a cellar door or some sort of hospitality to leverage the wine,” Bishell said. “But, as we all know, hospitality’s a really hard business to be involved in. And I’ve been thinking, if we do [a cellar door], we’ve got to have something else. There needs to be another point of difference to also get people to want to come.” Bishell, a five-handicapper and long-time golfer, noted that the project addresses both a commercial goal and a gap in local facilities. “We love golf and Marlborough desperately lacks a driving range and dedicated golf retail outside of the traditional golf club,” Bishell said. The project comes as Marlborough’s wine industry navigates a downturn marked by grape oversupply. While planned for nearly two years prior to current market conditions, Bishell noted the timing highlights the value of multi-industry revenue streams. “There’s some challenging times. There’s no sugar coating that,” Bishell said. “Sometimes it takes the hard times to appreciate that this is actually what we really do need to do.”

Technology, Mini-Golf, and Facility Layout

Vines will be planted directly around the driving range to integrate the golfing setup into the vineyard landscape.

The range itself will feature:

• 12 Fully Covered Bays: Outfitted with Trackman technology, seating, bar leaners, and food and beverage service for group social gathering.
• 10 Semi-Outdoor Bays: Designed for traditional practice and swing work.
• Indoor Infrastructure: Space allocated for three indoor golf simulators and two specialized club-fitting studios.

The complex will also host an 18-hole mini-golf facility built by SHANX Mini Golf. Designed to resemble a scaled-down regulation golf course rather than a traditional obstacle-style mini-golf setup, Bishell noted it will be the first of its kind in New Zealand.

Operations, Management, and Economic Impact

The Bishell family will privately fund and retain full ownership of the development, while management will be handled by Heller Golf, the facility management firm that operates the Sir Bob Charles Golf Centre in Christchurch.

Heller Golf Chief Executive Dave Saunders noted the venue’s combination of golf technology and a vineyard setting is designed to serve casual players, beginners, families, and serious golfers alike.

Saunders also offered a lighthearted note to the owner regarding his personal game, which Bishell recounted: “Dave Saunders had warned me, though, that owning a driving range didn’t always translate to a lower handicap. I’ll certainly get my fair share of hitting balls. I’m sure about that. It’ll save me from having to hit balls off my lawn out into a paddock and go and retrieve them anyway, which is kind of what I’m currently doing.”

Local officials have welcomed the venture as a driver for regional tourism outside peak summer periods.

Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor highlighted the strategic value for the region:

“Caythorpe Green will be a great asset for Marlborough, bringing together recreation, hospitality and family-friendly experiences in one destination,” Taylor said.

Project Timeline

Resource consent for Caythorpe Green was lodged earlier this month, with construction scheduled to begin shortly. The project will open in progressive stages, with full completion targeted for the first quarter of 2028 and room reserved for potential future expansion on the property.