Martinborough, 1.5h drive from Wellington, is one of New Zealand’s wine growing areas and famous for its Pinot Noir. Martinborough isn’t very big and thus lends itself to spend a (long) weekend sampling wines, indulging in fabulous food and enjoying great hospitality.
My top recommendations👇🏼
Ata Rangi
There are good wines and there’re great wines. Ata Rangi wines are world class. Having participated in many wine tastings all over the world I can’t recall many occasions when we loved every single wine we tasted which is exactly what happened at Ata Rangi.
If you only taste two wines, make it the Pinot Gris and the Célèbre.
*photo: Ata Rangi website (I was too busy enjoying the wine 😅)
Indi Bikes
Distances in and around Martinborough aren’t large and cycling is a great way to get around.
Instead of getting ordinary bikes, we opted for a two-seater from Indi Bikes and it was so much fun!
If you travel with a bigger group: 4 & 6-seaters are also available.
Poppies Martinborough
I’ve been in love with Poppies from the first time I visited many years ago. This small vineyard produces an outstanding Rosé and one of the best Gewürztraminers I’ve ever had the pleasure to taste. Poppies wines are cellar door only which means they aren’t available in shops.
We stopped for lunch – the menu is super short and very well executed. The platter (pictured) was outstanding.
The Runholder
One of the new kids on the block, The Runholder impresses with a stunning tasting room and restaurant with beautiful views towards the mountains.
The food with an emphasis on locally grown produce was outstanding and so was the service.
The menu changes seasonally and dishes arrive beautifully presented on lovely ceramic plates and platters. (#instagramworthy)
More New Zealand inspiration for you to discover:
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