10 of the best wineries in Martinborough
Martinborough is home to around 30 boutique vineyards. Find out which wineries to visit for wine tastings and lunch.
The charming Martinborough wine village, around one hour and 15 minutes driving from Wellington, is the winery hub of the Wairarapa region.
With its quaint square and historic architecture, Martinborough is an ideal base for exploring. The vineyards are located close enough that you can stroll or cycle from one boutique winery to another.
The best Martinborough wineries offer friendly, intimate wine tastings with passionate winemakers. This region is a great place to get to know smaller wine producers and their passion for the land.
Martinborough wine
The Martinborough wine region is a sub-region of the Wairarapa wine region, which spans the lowest part of the North Island.
Wairarapa is often compared to the Burgundy region in France. Similarly to Burgundy, Wairarapa is celebrated for its exceptional Pinot Noir (the Central Otago region also produces fantastic Pinot Noir wines).
The Martinborough wine region has a terroir suited to Pinot Noir, with gravelly soils, alluvial deposits, and a temperate maritime climate.
The region's cool evenings and warm days allow for slow ripening, resulting in grapes with concentrated flavours and balanced acidity.
While Pinot Noir is the star of the show, Martinborough also produces other varietals, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling, which benefit from the region's favorable growing conditions.
Martinborough wineries map
The best Martinborough wineries to visit
This list of Martinborough wineries covers the best vineyards for tastings, as well as lunch and dinner.
1) Big Sky
Tastings: By appointment
Big Sky is a little further away from Martinborough than many other wineries, around a 10 minute drive or a 30 minute cycle from the centre.
But it’s worth making the trip to visit this certified organic vineyard.
The Te Muna valley, where Big Sky vineyard is located, has deep gravels, low rainfall, warm days and cool nights. These conditions make it ideal for growing Pinot Noir.
You’ll need to phone or email to arrange a wine tasting, but don’t be shy to call — it’s worth it. Katherine Jacobs and Jeremy Corban, the winemakers, are welcoming, knowledgeable hosts.
Their philosophy is to make the best wine they can, not the most wine they can. By visiting their cellar door, you’ll get a glimpse of the passion and hands-on nature of these small Martinborough vineyards.
2) Poppies Martinborough
Tasting cost: $10 or free if you purchase a bottle
Bookings not required for wine tastings
Cellar door is open 7 days 11am - 4pm
Poppy and Shayne Hammond grow, make and sell their own wines at the elegant Poppies Martinborough.
Poppies is one of the most popular vineyards for lunch. Sampling the decadent vineyard platters is a must-do in Martinborough, but lunch here is in such high demand bookings are essential.
If you miss out on a lunch spot, you can still visit the cellar door to sample some of Poppies Martinborough’s excellent wines.
Their white wines in particular — they bottle Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Gris — are delicious.
2) Muirlea Rise
Tasting cost: $10 for 5 wines
Muirlea Rise is a family-owned winery that produces a range of wines, including Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. The small-scale operation ensures a personal and enjoyable tasting experience.
Go for the wines, stay for the chats and good vibes.
3) Ata Rangi
Tasting cost | Free
Ata Rangi is a small, family-owned organic winery with a reputation for excellent Pinot Noir.
In Te Reo Māori, the name Ata Rangi means “dawn sky” or “new beginning,” which reflects the vineyard’s connection to the land.
With a bespoke tasting room looking out across the vines through floor to ceiling windows, tastings at Ata Rangi are relaxed and informative.
4) Moy Hall
Tasting cost | $10 per person
No bookings needed for tastings
Moy Hall is one of the best Martinborough wineries for lunch, offering a mix of under cover and alfresco dining.
Lunch at Moy Hall vineyard is laid-back and relaxing. The menu covers share plates highlighting the season’s freshest local produce. They have some great vegetarian options — their homemade gnocci is a knock out.
You’ll need to book your lunch spot online, or give them a call if you’re trying to get a table the same day.
If you just want to pop by for a tasting, there’s no need to book, just stroll in. You can taste Moy Hall’s wines in the courtyard or on the lawn, just note that if it’s raining you’ll have to move inside, which can be a squeeze.
5) Te Kairanga Winery
Te Kairanga Winery is celebrated for its dedication to crafting exceptional Pinot Noir.
The Pinot Noirs from this estate are characterized by their elegance, complexity, and the expression of the unique Martinborough terroir.
With the perfect combination of sun-drenched days and cool nights, the grapes reach optimal ripeness, resulting in wines with vibrant red fruit flavors, balanced acidity, and silky-smooth tannins.
Te Kairanga offers one of the best cellar doors in Martinborough, thanks to their collaboration with Lighthouse Gin, which is located right next to their distillery.
You can taste both wine and gin at The Runholder, Te Kairanga’s stunning tasting room, cellar door and restaurant. Enjoy a long afternoon of getting boozed (classily) while sharing small, plates, charcuterie, antipasti and pizzas.
6) Coney Wines
Tim and Margaret Coney founded Coney Wines on a 16-acre paddock in Martinborough more than 25 years ago. The vineyard is still a small, family-run affair.
As well as the classic Pinot Noir, Coney Wines are Riesling specialists, producing three different Rieslings.
Tasting sessions take place in the garden or courtyard of 3 Little Words, a cosy restaurant which also serves epic platters.
7) Nga Waka Vineyard
Tasting cost | $20 per person
Nga Waka, which means "the canoe" in Maori, is named after the three low-lying hills to the east of Martinborough, which are said to be the upturned canoes of the legendary Polynesian explorer Kupe.
Nga Waka has seven vineyards dotted around the village of Martinborough, producing mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Rose from Pinot Noir grapes.
The cellar door at Nga Waka offers a relaxed environment where you’ll be taken through tastings of current releases over about 40 minutes.
8) Schubert Wines
Schubert Wines is a family-owned winery known for its boutique approach to winemaking. They produce carefully crafted organic wines, specialising in Pinot Noir with intense and complex character.
Try their Con Brio, an outstanding red wine, or their creamy rose.
9) Le Gra Vineyard and Winery
‘Le Grá’ means ‘with love’ in Celtic, and that’s how the winemakers approach everything here at this family-owned vineyard.
Although further afield than the other wineries on this list — Le Gra a 40 minute drive from Martinborough, on the far side of Masterton — it’s worth stopping by.
The real selling point of Le Gra is the warmth of the welcome you’ll receive. Brian and Nicky are welcoming hosts who will share stories of their vineyard.
If you fancy a snack with your wine, their platters are also things of beauty.
If you’d like to stay overnight, there is a bed and breakfast on the property.
10) Tirohana Estate
Tirohana Estate is yet another superb Martinborough winery with a lovely cellar door, but the real reason to visit Tirohana Estate is the three course dinner.
For $69, you get an entree, main and dessert from the seasonal menu.
The price includes an optional pick up service to and from Tirohana Estate, which is perfect if you want to match wines to your meal, or want to save yourself the 20 minute walk from town.
Toast, the Martinborough wine festival
Martinborough is famous for hosting Toast Martinborough, an annual wine and food festival. This is one of New Zealand’s best wine festivals, typically taking place on the third Sunday of November. The festival brings together wine enthusiasts, food lovers, and music fans for a day of revelry in the heart of New Zealand's wine country.
It’s known to be a pretty raucous day out — your festival ticket includes a shatterproof glass. But if you’re in the North Island in November, Toast makes for a fun day out.
How to visit Martinborough wineries
Martinborough’s wineries are conveniently located for exploring on foot or by bicycle. You can reach several vineyards by from the centre of the village, within a 30 minute walk or 10 minute bike ride from the town square. The flat terrain makes both options easy.
Alternatively, guided tours and shuttle services offer informative and hassle-free excursions, ensuring safe transportation between wineries.
How many wineries are there in Martinborough?
Martinborough is home to around 30 wineries, most of which are family-owned. Many of the vineyards are clustered around the wine village of Martinborough, within walking distance of the town centre. More than 20 wineries are within biking distance of the village square.
Thanks for reading! If you found this helpful, you might enjoy my other recommendations:
Make sure you check out the other things to do in Martinborough
If you love wine, head to Waiheke’s vineyards to try their Syrah
