Join us for Summer in Martinborough!
Martinborough in summertime is not to be missed, the climate, people and activities are incredible and unique, a world famous wine village now buzzing with so much to see and do, we've put together an insiders guide to take you through summer and beyond. We're sure you'll enjoy our gorgeous little village as much as we do!
Wineries and Olive Groves
Martinborough is home to world famous vineyards making a name for themselves internationally. Escarpment Vineyard have had a huge year, named winery of the year by Raymond Chan, and their Kupe Pinot Noir has been listed number 7 on Wine Spectator's top wines of 2015. Congrats to Larry McKenna (aka Mr Pinot) and the Escarpment team on this achievement, we certainly enjoy the wine!
Martinborough's wineries are well established, with big names like Martinborough Vineyard, Palliser Estate, Te Kairanga, Ata Rangi, Margrain, Murdoch James but there are also small wineries packing big punch, Alexander, Elder Pinot, Julicher to name a few.With more than 25 vineyards in close proximity to the village centre - it's easy to go on a vineyard tour, visit a range of cellar doors, sample world class wine and discuss the flavours with our local winegrowers, winemakers and cellar door hosts.
Local tips -
While you're here, take time to visit our olive groves, also award winning and a definite must try. Lot Eight won the Mindfood producer of the year 2015 "emerging exporter" in 2015 as well as Gold in the New York International Olive Oil competition 2015, for their 2014 oil makers blend - massive achievements. You'll find a range of local oils in the village at Martinborough Wine Merchants who stock the largest range of local wines in the world! If you're lucky you'll find a local wine maker and olive oil producer doing tastings in the store, happening most weekends. Martinborough Wine Merchants is in the heart of the village and feature winery of the month is combined with a winery of the month dinner collaboration with the The Village Cafe.
Local tip - check out Winery of the Month Dinner a must do wine and cuisine focused social event, listen to the winemaker describe their wines, meet locals, relax.
If you've never toured our vineyards or checked out our local olive groves, there's no better time to start, click here for more info! Martinborough Wineries & Olive Groves
Martinborough's wineries are well established, with big names like Martinborough Vineyard, Palliser Estate, Te Kairanga, Ata Rangi, Margrain, Murdoch James but there are also small wineries packing big punch, Alexander, Elder Pinot, Julicher to name a few.With more than 25 vineyards in close proximity to the village centre - it's easy to go on a vineyard tour, visit a range of cellar doors, sample world class wine and discuss the flavours with our local winegrowers, winemakers and cellar door hosts.
Local tips -
- Make sure you visit Colombo Winegrowers - we love the bean bag lounge!
- Check out Martinborough Wine Tours for personal wine tour packages
- bike or walk to every vineyard, all in close proximity to the village
- Discover the passion of Cambridge Road vineyard, sip wine in their Italian style courtyard on lazy summer days
- Head out to Coney Wines for an unforgettable wine and dine experience
- Bike up to Olivo on Hinakura Road, Martinborough's oldest olive grove, stunning views of the Tararua Ranges, ask about their olive grove tours
While you're here, take time to visit our olive groves, also award winning and a definite must try. Lot Eight won the Mindfood producer of the year 2015 "emerging exporter" in 2015 as well as Gold in the New York International Olive Oil competition 2015, for their 2014 oil makers blend - massive achievements. You'll find a range of local oils in the village at Martinborough Wine Merchants who stock the largest range of local wines in the world! If you're lucky you'll find a local wine maker and olive oil producer doing tastings in the store, happening most weekends. Martinborough Wine Merchants is in the heart of the village and feature winery of the month is combined with a winery of the month dinner collaboration with the The Village Cafe.
Local tip - check out Winery of the Month Dinner a must do wine and cuisine focused social event, listen to the winemaker describe their wines, meet locals, relax.
If you've never toured our vineyards or checked out our local olive groves, there's no better time to start, click here for more info! Martinborough Wineries & Olive Groves
Café's and Restaurants
We are spoilt for choice in Martinborough, fast becoming known as a gourmet Mecca for the North Island you will find everything you need, want or desire when it comes to eating out. With plenty of alfresco dining opportunities in and around the village during summer and wines to match, it's all here. Not sure where to start? Contact us for a heads up on the best places to visit.
From famous Café Medici, Pinocchio and the iconic Village cafe based in the village, to Bloom restaurant at Murdoch James Estate, popular Tirohana Estate, the Pavilion at Peppers Parehua and beautiful Wharekauhau luxury lodge with award winning chef Marc Soper we have it all!
Come visit us over summer, work you way around the café circuit and dine instyle! Check out our listings here: Martinborough Restaurants and Cafés
Local tips -
From famous Café Medici, Pinocchio and the iconic Village cafe based in the village, to Bloom restaurant at Murdoch James Estate, popular Tirohana Estate, the Pavilion at Peppers Parehua and beautiful Wharekauhau luxury lodge with award winning chef Marc Soper we have it all!
Come visit us over summer, work you way around the café circuit and dine instyle! Check out our listings here: Martinborough Restaurants and Cafés
Local tips -
- Gourmet burger nights every Wednesday evening at Pinocchio as well as tapas in the courtyard over summer from 3-6pm weekends
- Providore Food Store is your must stop destination - they make great ready made dinners too, perfect for a night in front of the telly.
- The Village Cafe Martinborough- Pizza & Pasta Friday evening's, fresh, homemade, delish!
- Cafe Medici - Jazz every Friday - try Nick Arnold's award winning burgers
- $12 Burger Tuesday at the Pukemanu - includes beer/or house wine
- Martinborough Brewery - Local brew and the best darn cheese balls north of Invercargill
- Micro Wine Bar - Sunday Summer BBQ, this little wine bar a local fave
- It's Quite Cool - Gelato and Sorbet Look for the cart around the village during summer and always be cool!
- C'est Cheese - First stop when you hit the Wairarapa for artisan cheese and deli goods
- Cool Change Bar & Eatery - something a little quirky and different... retro dining and cool for school tunes
- Tirohana Estate a shuttle service available, meet and chat toToby - a local icon
Bike around Martinborough Baby!
Bikes, bikes and more bikes! That's what we're seeing more of in Martinborough and loving it, the perfect mode of transport for touring around the village, with vineyards, cellar doors and olive groves in close proximity - it's never been easier to enjoy our gorgeous region.
Locals tips -
Locals tips -
- Green Jersey Cycle Tours - For bike tours, packages and fun - check out the new motorised rickshaw!
- Martinborough Wine Merchants - Located in the heart of the village, receive 10% off shop purchases when you hire their bikes
- Indi Bikes - Bikes, trikes and 4-6 seaters - cruise around the village in style, talk to Kerry about their shuttles to transport you home after a night out
Shop, relax and be pampered in the Village
Fabulous boutique shopping as well as luxurious beauty spas and therapists, there's every reason to relax while you're in the village. Stroll around town, check out the quality local shops, including iconic P&K with their beautifully refurbished General Store, Mint at Martinborough, Thrive (home of world famous Thunderpants), Scarlet, Vintage Treasure, All About The Girls, the new and funky Red Bicycle - plus more!
Visit our local beauty therapy providers to be pampered - massage, facial, all spa treatments - you'll come away feeling totally relaxed and refreshed! For more info, check out our listings here:
Martinborough Retail and Beauty
Local tip -
Visit our local beauty therapy providers to be pampered - massage, facial, all spa treatments - you'll come away feeling totally relaxed and refreshed! For more info, check out our listings here:
Martinborough Retail and Beauty
Local tip -
- book your beauty plan well in advance to avoid disappointment and make the most of your stay, we all need pamper time!
- Ask about their onsite service, weddings, hens partys or just relaxing onsite
Summer pix, Summertime Concerts, Visit the Coast and More!
Martinborough Summer Pix Competition 2016 - Martinborough in summertime is truly amazing, so we run an annual competiton from 1st January to the end of February to celebrate this, click this link for details on how to enter!
Summer Pix - enter here!
Summer 2016 concerts:
Fat Freddy's Drop at Luna Estate!!! Super excited about this awesome gig coming to Martinborough in January 2016, groove to the sounds at Luna Estate Vineyard - more details here
Luna Estate - Fat Freddy's Drop
Beautiful Brodie Estate are bringing you a summer concert series which you will love. Picnic, relax and enjoy the summer in their gorgeous venue, more details here:
Brodie Estate Summer Concerts
Patuna Farm Adventures - horse trekking, challenge course, clay bird shooting and the incredible Chasm
Martinborough Manner something for the kids, farm tours and feed the animals in this cosy corner of Martinborough
Cruise Martinborough A four day classic car extravaganza, 28-31 January 2016 -just be there
Martinborough Fair New Zealand's biggest fair and a Martinborough tradition, February 6th and March 5th 2016 - on rain or shine
Looking to venture out of the village? Just head out to our beautiful South Wairarapa Coast and enjoy the view.
Fresh air, clean living, rugged coastline, seal colonies, Cape Palliser lighthouse, surf, sand, fishing, see the South Island on a clear day, what more could you want. Click this link for more on our unique and unspoiled corner of New Zealand:
Martinborough Do!
Summer Pix - enter here!
Summer 2016 concerts:
Fat Freddy's Drop at Luna Estate!!! Super excited about this awesome gig coming to Martinborough in January 2016, groove to the sounds at Luna Estate Vineyard - more details here
Luna Estate - Fat Freddy's Drop
Beautiful Brodie Estate are bringing you a summer concert series which you will love. Picnic, relax and enjoy the summer in their gorgeous venue, more details here:
Brodie Estate Summer Concerts
Patuna Farm Adventures - horse trekking, challenge course, clay bird shooting and the incredible Chasm
Martinborough Manner something for the kids, farm tours and feed the animals in this cosy corner of Martinborough
Cruise Martinborough A four day classic car extravaganza, 28-31 January 2016 -just be there
Martinborough Fair New Zealand's biggest fair and a Martinborough tradition, February 6th and March 5th 2016 - on rain or shine
Looking to venture out of the village? Just head out to our beautiful South Wairarapa Coast and enjoy the view.
Fresh air, clean living, rugged coastline, seal colonies, Cape Palliser lighthouse, surf, sand, fishing, see the South Island on a clear day, what more could you want. Click this link for more on our unique and unspoiled corner of New Zealand:
Martinborough Do!
Fall in love and get married!
Martinborough is the perfect place to do exactly that, we've heard so many stories of happy couples falling in love then choosing to be married here - something in the air maybe!
With a range of gorgeous wedding venues, quality caterers, bridal beauty services, wedding photographers - you have it all right here at your fingertips and we just want to make it easy, it's as simple as that.
Local tip - contact us for hens parties or girls weekends, we can organise a package you'll love
Check our our wedding listings for the best of the best on offer:
Martinborough Weddings
With a range of gorgeous wedding venues, quality caterers, bridal beauty services, wedding photographers - you have it all right here at your fingertips and we just want to make it easy, it's as simple as that.
Local tip - contact us for hens parties or girls weekends, we can organise a package you'll love
Check our our wedding listings for the best of the best on offer:
Martinborough Weddings
Where to stay while you do it all!
Boutique home stays, bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, cottages luxury lodges and more. The options are endless, but make sure you book early - Martinborough is a popular destination, events and public holiday weekends are booked well in advance.
See our listings for the best accommodations in town here: Martinborough Accommodation
Local Tips -
Phone Trish on 027 6979229 or email karina@martinborough-village.co.nz with any queries
See our listings for the best accommodations in town here: Martinborough Accommodation
Local Tips -
- Altitude Apartments - have the most amazing breakfast supplies, all guests get 10% off shop purchases at Martinborough Wine Merchants
- The Cattlestop - absolutely beautiful for large groups or families
- The Olde Manse - hosts Mal and Megan will look after you, amazing country breakfasts!
- The Martinborough Mews - Apartment style accommodation for large groups.
- Go To Martinborough - a range accommodation to suit your needs, from small groups to large
Phone Trish on 027 6979229 or email karina@martinborough-village.co.nz with any queries
Thanks for joining us on the insiders guide to our fave village, we've loved bringing you Martinborough stories over 2015 and look forward to more as we head into 2016.
Merry Christmas to all our likers, followers, supporters and friends, see you in Martinborough!
Trish Higginson & Karina Hailwood - Creative Directors
Martinborough Village
"Let us show you the magic of our town"
Copyright MV 2015
enquiries to karina@martinborough-village.co.nz
"Let us show you the magic of our town"
Copyright MV 2015
enquiries to karina@martinborough-village.co.nz
Blog banner image courtesy of Pete Monk Photographer
