Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WAIRARAPA WINE COUNTRY
Wairarapa's world-renowned wine industry was nearly crushed in infancy. The region's first vines were planted in
1883, but the prohibition movement in 1908 soon put a cap on that corker idea. It wasn't until the 1980s that
winemaking was revived, after Martinborough's
terroir
(natural environment) was discovered to be similar to
Burgundy in France. A few vineyards soon sprang up, but the number has now ballooned to around 40 region-
wide. Martinborough is the undisputed hub of the action, but vineyards around Gladstone and Masterton are also
on the up. Keep an eye out for the occasional olive groves with tasting rooms, nestled among the vines.
Martinborough plays host to
Toast Martinborough
(
www.toastmartinborough.co.nz
; tickets $70), held annu-
ally on the third Sunday in November. Enjoyable on many levels (standing up and quite possibly lying on the
grass), this is a hugely popular wine, food and music event, and you'll have to be quick on the draw to get a tick-
et.
The
Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival
(
www.wairarapawines.co.nz
; tickets $45) celebrates the beginning of
the harvest with an extravaganza of wine, food and family fun. It's held at a remote riverbank setting 10 minutes
from Carterton on a Saturday in mid-March.
Wairarapa's wineries thrive on visitors; around half of Martinborough's 25-odd wineries welcome visitors
every day, with most of the rest open at the weekends. Well-oiled cellar doors swing wide open for tastings; some
places feature a cafe or restaurant, while some will rustle up a picnic platter to be enjoyed in their gardens. The
Wairarapa Wine Trail Map
(available from the Martinborough i-SITE and many other locations) will aid your
navigations. Read all about it at
www.winesfrommartinborough.com
.
A handy place to sample and purchase many wines, and get advice on local cellar doors is the
Martinborough
Wine Centre
(
www.martinboroughwinecentre.co.nz
;
6 Kitchener St;
10am-5pm), which also sells local olive
oils, books, clothing and art.
The best and most ecofriendly way to explore the Wairarapa's wines is by bicycle, as the flat landscape makes
for puff-free cruising. You can also knock off quite a few on foot. Should you require transport, however, hop on
the daily tasting tour run by
Tranzit Tours
( 06-370 6600, 0800 471 227;
www.tranzittours.co.nz
;
tours from
$150), which features four vineyard tastings, lunch and late-afternoon cheese and coffee.
Recommended Wineries
Ata Rangi
(
www.atarangi.co.nz
;
14 Puruatanga Rd; 1-3pm Mon-Fri, noon-4pm Sat & Sun) One of the re-
gion's pioneering winemakers. Great drops across the board and cute cellar door.
Coney
( 03-306 8345;
www.coneywines.co.nz
;
Dry River Rd; 11am-4pm Fri-Sun) Fingers crossed that
your tasting host will be the inimitable Tim Coney, an affable character who makes a mighty syrah and may sing
at random. Home to the excellent
Trio Cafe
(mains $23-26) too; bookings recommended.
Haythornthwaite
(
www.ht3wines.co.nz
; 45 Omarere Rd; 1-5pm) Sustainable, hands-on winemaking produ-
cing complex drops including cherrylike pinot noir and gorgeous gewürztraminer.
Margrain
(
www.margrainvineyard.co.nz
; cnr Ponatahi & Huangarua Rds; 11am-5pm Fri-Sun) High-quailty
wines across a wide range can be tasted at this character-filled cellar door, with a casual on-site cafe overlooking
the vines.
Palliser
(
www.palliser.co.nz
;
Kitchener St;
10.30am-4pm) Wines so good, even the Queen has some stashed
away in her cellar. Slick outfit.
Poppies
(
www.poppiesmartinborough.co.nz
; 91 Puruatanga Rd; 11am-4pm) Delectable handcrafted wines
served by the label's passionate winemaking and viticulturalist duo. Savour their wines alongside a well-matched
platter at the stylishly simple cellar door.
