Martinborough
wine tasting tours and winery visits

Small and perfectly formed, the quintessentially Kiwi village of Martinborough sits charmingly at the centre of Wairarapa, the most southerly wine-producing region on New Zealand’s North Island. Martinborough (and the surrounding area) is actually one of three small sub-regions in the wider Wairarapa area and by far the most famous. 

Few other places in the world are so dedicated to the pursuit of all things vinous as Martinborough. There are around 20 family-run and boutique wineries here - conveniently, pretty much all of them are located within walking or cycling distance of the town centre, so designated drivers need not worry! As a result, guided tours, tastings and wine experiences abound; Ata Rangi, one of the world’s most respected New World wine producers, is a special place to start your tour. Do make sure you book a tasting slot though, as they tend to fill up extremely fast. Dry River, Margrain and Te Kairanga are also well worth a visit, although it’s important to note that visitors can’t really go wrong regardless of whose cellar door they end up knocking on! Eith great wine comes great food and it’s nigh on impossible to eat badly in Martinborough. Many of the wineries have their own restaurants, whilst Kitchener Street is a hotspot of friendly bistros and cafés. 

During your time in Martinborough, you will quickly become accustomed to seeing groups of cyclists traversing the town as they pedal from winery to winery (pay extra care later in the day as they may become ever so slightly unsteady!) Cycle hire shops are plentiful and, once you’ve had your fill of wine tastings, there are plenty of trails outside the town to explore. The Remutaka Trail runs for 115km from Wellington into the heart of Wairarapa and is a great way to take in the countryside.

Further Afield

Martinborough town is the heart of this region, but whilst you’re in the area New Zealand’s capital city Wellington is a must-visit. A bustling metropolis might be a slight shock to the system after the rural, bucolic charm of Martinborough, but this energetic, vibrant city will soon have you back on your feet. There’s an incredible coffee culture here and the city is said to have more bars and restaurants per capita than New York (as well as 19 of the 100 best restaurants in New Zealand) so hungry foodies certainly won’t struggle here.

Whether you’re craving culture, longing for five-star luxury or itching get up close and personal with some of New Zealand’s indigenous animals, the galleries, zoos and hotels of Wellington are a fabulous way to spend a few days getting back in touch with the outside world.