Gourmet Pitstop

It may be a small town but Woodville punches well above its weight in the foodie stakes. Specialty goods, including many unique local items, and knowledgeable service make destination foodstore Culinary Vista a gourmand’s playground.

Culinary Vista opened its doors in 2013 in the picturesque village of Woodville, just through the Manawatu Gorge from Palmerston North.  Nestled against a backdrop of windmills, the shop offers a diverse range of artisan foods, boutique wines and hard-to-find ingredients. 

Because food trends can change quickly, owner Marni Cavis and her team are continually sourcing new products to satisfy the curiosity and interests of customers.  Getting to know the artisan producers and the story behind each product is a key passion, which comes through in the knowledge the staff have of the products and how to use them.

The emphasis is largely on New Zealand products, with as much as possible from the nearby Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu regions.  Some of these local products include: Rhubarb Villa raw honey from Woodville; Nirvana coffee roasted in Dannevirke; Cartwheel Creamery artisan cheese from the Manawatu’s Pohangina Valley and Kingsmeade cheeses from Masterton; hand-made chocolate from the Hawke’s Bay and Greytown; Julicher and Paulownia wines from the Wairarapa; Malmo’s Sweet Chilli Sauce and Ruth Pretty chutneys, jams, and jellies from the Horowhenua District.

The full product line can be found on Culinary Vista’s website where you can browse through the entire range of teas, coffees, hot chocolates, craft beers, par-baked breads, salamis, gourmet snacks, cordials & syrups, olives, extra virgin olive oils, vinegars and drizzles, chilles and hot sauces, mustards, dressings, gourmet sauces, herbs and spices, and other pantry staples.  Culinary Vista also offers a range of gluten free and organic products as well as gorgeous cookbooks, terracotta cookware and other culinary gifts.