Our guide to the best wines and wineries in Martinborough, New Zealand

Best wineries in Martinborough 

The first commercial vines were planted in Martinborough in 1980, after a study conducted by local scientist Derek Milne found the soil and growing conditions in the region were remarkably similar to those in Burgundy. Buoyed by his findings, Dr Milne founded Martinborough Vineyard on an area now known as Martinborough Terrace, with Ata Rangi, Chifney (now Margrain), and Dry River following right behind. Pinot noir was the variety of choice (along with some chardonnay and sauvignon blanc) and within the decade the region had become known as New Zealand’s pinot noir capital, such was the quality of wine being produced. Today, there are over 40 wineries in Martinborough, who are largely grower-producers. The region’s typically small yields make it less attractive to contract grape-growers than the country’s more abundant areas (Wairarapa produces just 3 per cent of the country’s wine), but this has resulted in a tight-knit and passionate wine community with a reputation for excellence. As well as the region’s pioneering wineries, who remain among Martinborough’s best, other names of note include Palliser Estate – who has built its reputation on pinot gris and chardonnay as much as pinot noir – Te Kairanga, Escarpment, Schubert, Craggy Range (although based in Hawke’s Bay, Craggy Range makes pinot in Martinborough) and Kusuda, run by New Zealand’s first Japanese winemaker. 

Best Martinborough cellar doors to visit 

With most of its cellar doors within walking distance of the village’s main square, Martinborough is one of the easiest wine regions to explore. Here are some suggestions of where to start.  

Martinborough's cellar doors are in walking distance of the town centre.

Ata Rangi

One of Martinborough’s best known and most celebrated producers, Ata Rangi offers an intimate seated tasting experience in the cellar door, or a casual, drop-in option at the wine shop. While its pinots are world-famous, it also produces very worthy examples of chardonnay, pinot gris, and sauvignon blanc, and a robust syrah-cabernet-merlot blend.

Moy Hall Wines

If you’re looking for a relaxed spot for lunch, or a glass of wine among the vines, Moy Hall is one of the region’s best options. Open daily during summer and five days during winter, its chefs utilise the best local produce to create a menu that perfectly complements the estate’s wines.

Nga Waka

Martinborough’s newest cellar door offers guided tastings of current release and back-vintage wines for those keen to explore the winery’s history and range in full, or more casual, ‘walk-in’ style tastings. From Friday to Sunday, wood-fired pizzas are available, and there’s a selection of small bites that can be ordered on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Palliser Estate

Come for the pinot but stay for the sauvignon blanc and the pinot gris, two varieties that Palliser Estate excels at. Book in for a tasting at the cellar door, for lunch at the Italian-influenced Palliser Kitchen by Attilio, or order a glass or a flight to enjoy in the sunshine.

Poppies

Another excellent and extremely popular option for a relaxed lunch, Poppies offer several large tasting platters which can be enjoyed alongside its wines in the onsite restaurant. If you’re just keen to taste, head to the cellar door and try the pinot gris and gewurztraminer as well as pinot noir and rosé.

What type of soil is in Martinborough? 

Plenty of sunshine, cool nights and low rainfall contribute to optimal grape-growing conditions in this windy, coastal subregion. In fact, Martinborough experiences the greatest diurnal swing in the country, which, combined with long autumns, make for particularly long growing seasons. Soils are free-draining and made up of deep alluvial gravels, clay and silts, and are only moderately fertile, which equates to low yields and small but highly concentrated berries, and depth and complexity in the resulting wines.

Martinborough wines 

Although it’s known as the pinot noir capital of New Zealand (or at least of the North Island; Central Otago has rightly claimed this title in the South), Martinborough also produces exceptional expressions of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and aromatics such as pinot gris.

Martinborough is best-known for its pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and riesling. 

Martinborough pinot noir

Like in Burgundy, Martinborough pinot noir can range from fruit-forward, plummy examples to those that are leaner and earthier. Typically, wines are rich and textured with long, fine tannins, and distinctive black plum and chocolate characters.

Martinborough sauvignon blanc

Despite not sharing Marlborough’s reputation for the grape, Wairarapa produces some of the most elegant, varietally classic and expressive examples of sauvignon blanc in the country. Wines are typically vivid, poised and pure, with bracing acidity and intense aromatics.

Martinborough chardonnay

Typical examples of Martinborough chardonnay are concentrated and elegant with ripe stone fruit, citrus, bran biscuit and spice notes, balanced by a striking minerality. 

Martinborough riesling

Wairarapa’s combination of hot summers, cool nights and long, dry autumns allow riesling to be made in a wide range of styles. Examples are typically vibrant and intense with bright acidity, with flavours of nectarine, citrus and spice.

Martinborough itinerary

Fly into Wellington from any of New Zealand’s or Australia’s major cities and drive (or catch the train) an hour to the quaint wine village of Martinborough. With most the region’s wineries and cellar doors an easy walk or cycle away, wine tastings or lazy lunches will already be on your list, but that’s not all the region has to offer.

The town itself is packed with charm, and one could easily spend a day wandering its streets, perusing its shops, and having coffee in its cafes. Stretch your legs even further by tackling one of the region’s many walking trails. The Patuna Chasm, a three-hour hike through native bush, limestone caves, rushing rivers and waterfalls is one of the most popular.

If you’re able, time your visit with Toast Martinborough, an annual wine and food festival that draws visitors from all over the country. Now in its 30th year, the event is a celebration of the region’s wines and wineries, complemented by delicious food and live music. It’s so popular that tickets generally sell out within hours of release.