This is the ultimate guide to visit the best Martinborough wineries in 2023, including everything you need to know to plan your trip and sample some of the best wine the region has to offer. It also includes how to access each cellar door, what wine tasting entails, and the best Martinborough winery accommodation if you’d prefer an overnight stay. Enjoy!
In the last few years of adulthood, I finally developed a taste for wine. Previously a crude drink that scorched a path down my throat, wine has grown on me and I don’t know if it’s the refined palette that comes with age or regular stress.
Either way, I’m happy to announce I like wine now. And since I’m an adult with money to spend, I’ve been frequenting the Martinborough wine region on the hunt for the best vineyards and wineries to titillate my maturing tongue. (I turn 30 this year and I may be mourning my dwindling youth).
Martinborough is a globally recognised wine region with enough charm to knock my drunken body from the four-seater bike hire. The town centre is a perfect square lined with boutiques and cafes. And the surrounding fields are a scenic sweep of wineries, each cellar door stocked and ready for tastings.
For a well-rounded experience, Martinborough wineries also offer varying options for lunch and accommodation. Below is the ultimate 2023 guide so you can carefully curate your visit to the best wineries and vineyards in Martinborough and enjoy everything the region has to offer.
Enjoy and bring sunscreen.
How many vineyards are there in Martinborough?
Since the first collection of vineyards opened in the late 1970s, Martinborough’s wine economy has boomed to over 30 wineries. Most of these are family-owned, highlighting the region’s reputation for character and charm.
A relaxed small-town vibe makes it accessible to the average adult who is newly coming onto the scene of viticulture and wants to do something classy for the weekend (me).
Read here about Martinborough’s history and how a 1978 town meeting yielded a solution that catapulted Martinborough’s low economy into a globally recognised wine region.
For its accolades, Martinborough is on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Beyond the Remutaka Range, tracts of flat land lay in a rain shadow, getting plenty of sunshine – the perfect climate to foster a thriving wine village.
How to plan a Martinborough wine tour
If you’re overwhelmed by the number of wineries in Martinborough and wondering how a cellar door even works, you’re in the right place. This guide aims to demystify tastings and tours so you can live your best life on a visit to Martinborough.
Martinborough winery map
You can easily explore Martinboroug by foot, car or bike. Depending on how far you’d like to cast your net, below is a map to the wineries I discuss in this post. As you can see, you can visit all of them by bike in only 20 minutes total, though that will depend on how much wine you can handle.
Martinborough wineries opening hours
Most wineries are open until 5pm. To maximise your day, aim to arrive in Martinborough by 10am. That gives you plenty of time to grab a coffee (In the Neighborhood is my favourite), pick up your bike rental, hydrate, and apply heaps of sunscreen.
At the tail end of the day, aim to arrive closer to 4pm. Most cellar doors will be finishing up tastings at this time to prepare for the dinner rush.
What does wine tasting entail?
When I first ventured into Martinborough, I didn’t know how wine tasting worked, though I was keen to upskill in this critical aspect of adulthood.
Most cellar doors accept walk-ins without booking. They showcase their wines with some background information, and you can select 4-6 options to taste at a cost of $25-$55 per person.
Do note, you likely need a reservation for lunch. On a sunny day, restaurants book out quickly.
Although not a full glass, tastings can be rather large. Depending on your tolerance (mine is embarrassingly low), you may find it’s indeed a lot of wine for more than 2 or 3 wineries per day.
Martinborough is most famous for Pinot Noir… my favourite and my mother’s least favourite, which put us at odds for the day. Some producers also specialise in Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
The viticulturists know their grapes well, and they can advise on where to start and where to finish – for example from their lightest to boldest, or from white to red.
Getting around: Martinborough wine-tasting tour
To explore Martinborough’s best wineries, you have the option of doing a self-guided wine tour or pay for a guided experience that organises everything for you.
Since the wineries are packed in a small area, they are easily accessible by foot or bike. Most also offer free parking if you prefer a car. But for those looking for speciality experiences, a paid tour is a good no-fuss option to pair your wine adventure with other activities the region has to offer.
Martinborough bike hire
One of the most popular ways of getting around Martinborough is cycling. The village is quaint, the roads flat, and the vineyards glimmering with grapes. That makes it the perfect environment for cycling around, with water and sunhat at the ready.
We like Green Jersey in the town centre, with their hallmark green branding zooming around the village. Recently, we rented the four-seater bike for the family and spent the day sweating off the wine calories from vineyard to vineyard.
Staff at Green Jersey also arrange bottle pick-up for every purchase on the winery trail. Handy since the bike gets heavy once you start adding wine bottles to your weight.
Which experiences are best for tours in Martinborough?
There are a myriad of luxury paid experiences in Martinborough to visit some of the best wineries. Some offer private tours, exclusive access, and add-ons to explore the wider region.
Check out Martinborough Wine Tours to look through your options. The Half Day Wine Tasting Tour is popular, which takes you to four delectable wineries hosted by knowledgeable local guides.
Zozo Travel, a Wellington-based tour company, is another popular operator in the area, offering single or multi-day packages to explore Martinborough and the wider Wairarapa region, with an option to pick you up from Wellington.
What are the oldest vineyards in Martinborough?
If you have a flair for the old and appreciate the trend-setters of culture, you may be interested in visiting the oldest vineyards in Martinborough.
From 1979, the oldest vineyards in Martinborough are Dry River Wines, Martinborough Vineyard, and Ata Rangi.
Dry River Wines
Dry River Wines opened in 1979, established upon free-draining soils near the Ruamahunga River. They utilise regenerative farming practices, which makes them a winner in my book, growing and harvesting vines in a way that is gentle on the earth. They produce limited quantities of wine, so it may be worthwhile to become a club member and get access to exclusive tastings and unique wines.
Martinborough Vineyard
Established in 1980 and still one of the most popular wineries around, Martinborough Vineyard is famous for its Pinot Noir. Martinborough Vineyard’s location is a climactic analog to Burgundy, the birthplace of Pinot Noir. This is also why the Martinborough region as a whole is famous for Pinot Noir. Their cellar door is open seven days a week and features a few award-winning wines.
Ata Rangi
Ata Rangi values traditional winemaking and unique vintage expression that relies on climate conditions. They are fully organic and widely respected on the scene. Ata Rangi offer twice-daily tastings, so you’ll need to book in advance. They host in a beautiful space for wine enthusiasts who’d like to learn more about wine-making.
Best cellar doors and wineries in Martinborough for tastings
1. Palliser Estate
96 Kitchener Street, Martinborough 5711
One of the most renowned estates in the region, Palliser Estate make some of New Zealand’s premium wines. They specialise in Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, set in a grand setting for optimum enjoyment. The wine tasting here lasts about 45 minutes so booking is recommended. Sit back, drink and learn from the experts about winemaking, the history and the land.
2. Nga Waka
66 Kitchener Street, Martinborough 5711
Nga Waka have an ethos of sustainability, known for their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Rose. They also love to share their knowledge; their wine tastings last about 40 minutes so it’s recommended that you book your spot.
3. Margrain Vineyard
5 Huangarua Road, Martinborough 5711
Margrain Vineyard offers the best prices for their wine tasting, set in a scenic cellar door with views of the vines. Uniquely, they also offer accommodation and conference facilities. They do a few bold Pinot Noirs, which made me extra happy. And their Chenin Blanc was particularly delicious.
4. Schubert
57 Cambridge Road, Martinborough 5711
Schubert is an entirely organic operation, dedicated to environmental responsibility. Their tasting room is relaxed so you can show up as you are and sample delicious wine from healthy vines, some of the highest quality around.
5. Tirohana Estate
42 Puruatanga Road, Wairarapa 5711
Tirohana Estate make premium wines and host the Chaine de Rotisseurs restaurant for casual and fine dining. They designed beautiful spaces to sit back and enjoy a glass of vino, including a gift shop in case you’re interested in picking up some local goods.
6. Poppies
91 Puruatanga Road, Martinborough 5711
Poppies is one of the most lush wineries in the area, offering stylish indoor and outdoor spaces among the vines to enjoy their exclusive Poppies Martinborough wines and a beautiful seasonal platter for lunch. It is an intimate family-owned winery that also offers luxury accommodation for a premium Martinborough experience.
7. Moy Hall
1 Martins Road, Martinborough 5711
The picturesque Scottish longhouse at Moy Hall serve single-vineyard wines and accept walk-ins for tastings. You can sip homegrown wines in the courtyard or book a lunch to try a plate or two from their gorgeous menu.
8. Luna Estate
133 Puruatanga Road, Ponatahi 5784
In a secluded setting, the Luna Estate is a charming space to enjoy classic cool climate wines. Luna also offer lunches if you like to pair your wine with delectable platters, and one of the few wineries that offers accommodation at the Winemakers Cottage.
9. Colombo
107 Todds Road, Ponatahi 5784
Colombo is a relaxed space to sip vino at the cellar door or on the beanbags outside. They offer wine tasting flights of red or white so you can try their tasty ranges with style. Colombo also serve gourmet pizzas, which are just perfect to pair with that perfect glass of wine.
10. Te Kairanga
89 Martins Road, Martinborough 5784
Te Kairanga is one of the oldest wineries in Martinborough, specialising in spicy Pinot Noir and other sophisticated wines. Te Kairanga are also preparing for the opening of the Runholder, a tasting room and restaurant with a view to enjoy premium wine or gin beside a bonfire.
Which wineries in Martinborough have lunch?
As mentioned above, most cellar doors are walk-ins but lunch usually requires a reservation. On a good day, the gardens fill up quickly and it is a delightful experience to enjoy seasonal platters in the sun, surrounded by the sophistication of viticulture.
Below is a list of wineries in Martinborough that offer lunch.
- Poppies: luxurious platter for two that includes delicacies like tapenade and crispy pork, paired with your choice of wine
- Tiwaiwaka Wines: seasonal platter of cheeses, dukkah, and olives from local producers
- Moy Hall: a menu of shared platters with local ingredients, paired with the perfect wine to match
- Luna Estate: a menu that includes Asian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, Luna’s restaurant sits within their Eclipse vineyard for both lunch and dinner
- Tirohana Estate: surrounded by vines, the restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, and includes a three-course Sunday Roast on Sundays
- Colombo: uniquely, this winery offers gourmet pizzas with a classic menu for lunch and dinner, including delicious offerings for dessert
Getting there: how to get to Martinborough by car or train
From Wellington, you can get to Martinborough by car in a scenic hour-long drive over the Remutaka Range. Take SH2 to Featherston, then 52 to the Martinborough village centre.
Alternatively, you can take the Wairarapa train from Wellington to Featherston, then catch the bus to Martinborough. If you are booking a wine tour, look into their options as a lot of operators provide shuttle service for your smooth arrival.
Best Martinborough winery accommodation
Although not many wineries offer accommodation, three stand out as popular options for those who prefer an overnight stay in Martinborough… a wise choice after a day of drinking.
Margrain Vineyard offers stylish villas with panoramic views of the vineyard and the Tararua Ranges. Here, you can amble through the vines, walk to the village, or witness vineyard activity, especially around the harvest.
The Luna Estate also provides accommodation at the Winemakers Cottage. This is a rural retreat at one of the most stunning wineries in Martinborough. The cottage sleeps four, perfect for a romantic weekend or family stay with direct access to the gardens.
For a luxury stay, you might be interested in the Apartment at Poppies. This sleek space overlooks the vineyard, designed for rest and relaxation for two. The apartment comes stocked with wine in the fridge and seasonal ingredients for a lovely breakfast.
You can also look into other popular homestays in the area, such as Swan House, Brackenridge Retreat & Spa, and Aylstone Boutique Retreat.
If you’re interested in a more secluded stay in epic settings, read about our experience at The Pallis or Kawakawa Station.
