Where to Taste Wine in Martinborough
The Wairarapa is one of the top wine-making regions of New Zealand. One of the sub-regions, Martinborough, has so many boutique wineries and vineyard in close proximity that it makes it the best place to do a winery crawl or self-guided wine tour in the Wairarapa either by bike or by car (make sure you spit your tastings if you’re driving)! With that in mind, we’ve put together this quick list of vineyards & wineries in Martinborough that you can’t miss!
With vineyards spread on ancient alluvial river terraces mixed with a climate of low rainfall, hot summers and long dry autumns, the wines produced in Martinborough rich in ripeness and elegance. The right balance of warm days and cool nights make the Pinot Noir some of the best in the country, as well as other early ripening varieties. The best time to visit the wineries in Martinborough is during November through to April, when all the wineries will be open and hosting events to go along with their vineyard experiences.
For more things to do, check out 10 Damn Good Things to Do in Wairarapa.
1. Te Kairanga
For a wine tasting experience mixed with a bit of history, visit Te Kairanga! The land was originally owned by the founding father of Martinborough, John Martin, and the cellar door cottage is a true legacy of Martinborough’s pioneering past. Don’t miss a taste of their sensational Pinot Noir at their cellar door open November to April seven days a week.
Location: 89 Martins Road.
© Steven dosRemedios on Flickr2. Tirohana Estate
The Tirohana Estate Vineyard & restaurant is open year-round for lunch, dinners and even cocktails. Dine in the restaurant or on the terraces overlooking the vineyard, or just pop in for wine tastings at the cellar door. The Tirohana Estate is a popular stop-off during the annual Toast Martinborough festival usually happening in November!
Location: 42 Puruatanga Road.
© Tourism NZ Scott Venning3. Margrain Vineyard
Margrain Vineyard boasts a complete vineyard experience with accommodation, cellar door wine tastings, vineyard and winery tour, The Vineyard Cafe and more! Whatever wine experience you are looking for, you’re likely to find it at the Margrain Vineyard. They are open year-round. For more wine tours in New Zealand, check out 10 Excellent Wine Tours in New Zealand.
Location: Corner of Princess Street and Huangarua Road.
© Pinot noir 76 on Wikipedia4. Ata Rangi
Although you can’t just pop into Ata Rangi for their cellar door tastings, it’s worth making an appointment for one of their twice-daily tasting sessions. It’s worth noting that they don’t charge for this tasting appointment that usually lasts about 45-minutes and an hour.
Location: Puruatanga Road.
© ja:User:NEON / User:NEON_ja on Wikipedia5. Martinborough Vineyard
When visiting Martinborough between November and April, don’t miss the Martinborough Vineyard and their cellar door offering tastings of their Chardonnay and award-winning Burgundy and Pinot Noir. Their cellar door is open seven days a week during summer.
Location: 57 Princess Street.
© Jonathan Harker on Wikipedia6. Palliser Wines
For a cellar door, you can always rely on, check out Palliser Wines at the Palliser Estate. You will get the opportunity to sample their exquisite wines at their cellar door open seven days a week!
Location: Kitchener Street.
© Dominic Lockyer on Flickr7. Coney Wines
Treat your taste buds at the Coney Wines Trio Cafe serving Mediterranean and Asian cuisine matched with award-winning wines. What’s more, the outdoor setting of dining among the vines completes the experience. Find the cafe open weekends and public holidays, as well as Fridays in summer. They are closed August and September.
Location: 107 Dry River Road.
© Sarah-Rose on Flickr8. Haythornthwaite Wines
Relax in this family-owned boutique vineyard located on river terraces. The winery excels in producing mouthwatering Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. They’re open most days during summer and weekends year-round.
Location: 45 Omarere Road.
© Pexels9. Brodie Estate Vineyard
Pop into the Brodie Estate winery to taste not only their award-winning wines but their oils, platters and even live music during summer. There’s vibrant art on display, plus, the winery boasts as family-friendly! They’re open December to Easter.
Location: 142 Dublin Street.
© Pexels10. Colombo Martinborough
Join Colombo at their boutique winery in Martinborough. The small laid-back cellar door environment is a great place to taste wine and enjoy their tapas dishes, rain or shine!
Location: 107 Todds Road.
© PexelsMore About New Zealand Wineries and Breweries
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2024])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
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