Indulge in the food, sip on the wine and sample the locally made artisan goods; it’s the best way to discover a place and what makes it special. Wairarapa is a destination for delicious food and wine, with plentiful vines and locally grown produce to see, smell and taste. From strolling through markets to being catered to at a fine restaurant, you’ll easily fill your days with these top foodie experiences.
Wairarapa runs from Masterton in the north, to the vineyards in Martinborough and down to Cape Palliser on the southern coast. Just over a one-hour drive from Wellington, it’s easy to get to and offers world-class experiences but with small town vibes. This gem of a region is the perfect place to taste some of the North Island’s finest goods. Eat and drink your way around Wairarapa for an unforgettable holiday.
1. Cellar Doors
Wineries are the ultimate place to experience the food and wine scene in Wairarapa, and each cellar door is an open invitation to enjoy each brands wines and meet the people behind the craft. Wairarapa wine region is one of the best in the country, and is even the first in New Zealand to plant pinot grapes.
Begin in Opaki, journey through Gladstone and into Martinborough wine village. Flat roads and short distances between cellar doors in Martinborough makes it the perfect place to soak up the charming scenery and taste the wines. See what they’re up to in North Wairarapa at Urlar. Enjoy a wine tasting and platter at Poppies. Other must-visit cellar doors include Ata Rangi, Luna Estate and Palliser Estate. Colombo Martinborough and Moy Hall are fantastic spots for a winery lunch with covered outdoor seating right by the vines. Whether it’s a tasting on your own schedule (some cellar doors offer tastings by appointment only) or a guided tour, dive into a weekend of discovering the cellar doors in Wairarapa.
2. Cycle the Vines
What better way to see the sights and taste than wines than by leisurely biking on flat quiet roads between wineries in Martinborough. With over 20 wineries all within close proximity to each other, cycling is an easy and enjoyable way to get around. In just over an hour you can be away from the big city life in Wellington and on a hired bike cruising from cellar door to cellar door. Hire your wheels from companies like Green Jersey Explorer Tours and Bike Hire Martinborough. If your adventure starts in Masterton, head to Cycling Tom & The Coffee Ride for bike hire and all things cycling in Wairarapa. Indi Bikes offers a quirky and unique option with 4-6 seater bright red trikes and bikes, ideal for a laugh with friends!
At the centre of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, Wairarapa is a region that welcomes any wine-centric adventure. The 380km self-drive trail journey takes around 5 days to complete and sees you through Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Wellington, and Marlborough, so you’ll experience some of the best New Zealand wine while eating and drinking your way around Wairarapa. Cycle the vines, the towns and the nature trails and visit as a range of unique cellar doors. Relax, explore and taste; it’s a Wairarapa getaway that keeps on giving.
3. Martinborough
Get ready to find your new favourite New Zealand small town. Nestled in southern Wairarapa, Martinborough / Huangarua is a captivating wine village that’s a must-visit for foodies exploring Wairarapa. Its quaint buildings and laid-back atmosphere invoke a sense of relaxation; holiday mode easily sets in. Martinborough is a hub for wine lovers. Many boutique wineries within walking or biking distance of each other offer tastings and lunch experiences. Visit a brewery, an olive grove or enjoy a gin tasting at Tōhi for a quintessential Wairarapa afternoon.
Welcoming store fronts, wine bars restaurants and Martinborough Brewery give character to the town, and you can sample the best of the region’s produce while strolling around. Local farmers markets and cafes offer a genuine taste of the town, with the Neighbourhood Coffee House being a great place to start the day. Pop into The Grocer for a selection of gourmet goodies and enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner at your accommodation. With its easy-walking roads and compact layout, Martinborough is ideal for a day of laid-back exploring. Martinborough is also a great base for exploring the wider region. Coastal beauty at Cape Palliser and Lake Ferry is just a short drive away.
4. Restaurants and Breweries
Sit back, relax and experience a night of eating and drinking, Wairarapa style. With plenty of restaurants ranging from pub fare to fine dining, it’s a top way to uncover the food scene in the region. Start with a classic country pub in Greytown, The White Swan. This gem is iconic and it’s the perfect spot for a hearty yet sophisticated lunch or dinner. Speaking of icons, a visit to the Tui Brewery HQ is a must when in Wairarapa. This brew house is 30 minutes south of Palmerston North in Mangatainoka. Not only will you find Tui beer, but there’s also a free-to-visit museum and store where you can purchase some quirky Tui merch.
Combine sampling iconic wines, feasting on incredible food and outstanding views at The Runholder. Here you’ll find a restaurant, tasting room and cellar door. It’s also the place in Wairarapa for gin tasting, with the Lighthouse Gin distillery onsite, overlooking the hills and vines. The Runholder is a uniquely one-stop-shop establishment so if you only visit one place, make it this one.
5. Sample Local Produce
It’s hard not to be happy when you’re strolling from store to store tasting locally made chocolate, cheese, honey and more. If you’re travelling from Wellington, these charming small towns are perfect for walking around, tasting as you go.
Greytown is home to Greytown Distilling, so sampling some gin across town before buying your favourites is a must when in Wairarapa. Head to Schoc Chocolates for the finest hand-crafted morsels; perfect for a gift or for enjoying later that day. One artisan deli you won’t want to miss is C’est Cheese, a Featherson institution with simply the best New Zealand-made cheeses. Not only can you shop for cheese to take away, stay for a while to enjoy cheesy delights like their blue cheese and cheddar scones.
If you’re keen to get even closer to the source, check out Olivo for infused olive oil tastings at the oldest olive grove in the region, or embark on a Manuka honey beekeeping experience in Greytown.
Farmers markets are one of the best ways to sample local produce and offer an experience in simply exploring market stalls and chatting with passionate producers. Featherston and Carterton both have inviting farmers markets, and Wairarapa Farmers Market in Masterton is bursting with fresh fruit, vegetables, honey, bread, cheese, olive oil and much more. Spend your Saturday mornings here getting to know the regions produce and fueling up on good coffee.
6. Events
Make a point of eating and drinking in Wairarapa at the regions best annual events and festivals. Mark these in the calendar and gather a group of mates for a weekend of good times. Toast Martinborough is renowned for its outstanding wine, delicious cuisine, and vibrant entertainment. It falls on Wellington Anniversary weekend in January and is an awesome day of celebrating scrumptious wine and food at several picturesque vineyards in Martinborough.
Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival is held in February in the most incredible setting, on the banks of the Ruamahunga River. The area known as ‘The Cliffs’ can be reached by shuttle bus, and the riverside event celebrates the regions world-class wines with tasty food and live music. You’ll find yourself returning to Wairarapa year after year for these top-notch events.
This article was created in paid partnership with Destination Wairarapa.
