What to do and see in Martinborough, North Island: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day

Tours start at $99 per person. Ranging from half day afternoon tours to our exclusive 'Martinborough in a Day' tour. Take the stress out of drink/driving as all our tours are fully chauffeured. Our Martinborough in a day tour takes you to four vineyards, enjoy a wine-matched lunch and visit an Olive Grove or take the 'Pinot to Palliser Bay' tour for something different. This tour goes to the fishing village of Ngawi and to the iconic Lighthouse at Cape Palliser. Enjoy lunch and a beer or coffee at the historic Lake Ferry Hotel. All tours are conducted in luxury vehicles hosted by a local who knows the region intimately. This is your opportunity to go behind the scenes, meet winemakers and producers not normally available to the general public, while at the same time tasting the fantastic produce and wines of the region.

Poppies Martinborough is the tasting room cellar door for our wines we serve a simple but beautiful vineyard platter for lunch that we believe will enhance our wines

Brackenridge Country Retreat & Spa offers a purpose built spa and wellness centre. The day spa features three treatment rooms including a couples' suite, cozy relaxation lounge with fireplace, a sun terrace and spa pool, manicure/pedicure area and and a retail zone. Complementing the day spa is a fully equipped gym with strong local membership following and an impressive heated indoor 20m saltwater lap pool as well as changing rooms complete with showers. Brackenridge Spa is the leading Spa facility in the South Wairarapa and was a finalist in the Hospitality NZ Awards for Excellence in 2018 and nominated in the World Luxury Spa Awards for Best Country Spa 2018. Unwind and relax with our signature Brackenridge Massage which comprises a soothing foot ritual followed by a blissful massage using our signature spa oils.

Ventana Creative Collective brings organised group creative events (e.g.: nude figure drawing - handsome model can be arranged!, paint the masterpiece sip by sip, silver ring bands, leather sandals, paper flowers, batik silk scarf painting and many more creative workshops), gallery shows and uniquely curated items for the home and self to the thriving Martinborough vineyard town.

Braden and Gabrielle Crosby are winegrowers, gardeners, parents and lovers of wine, driven to make textured white wines and perfumed Pinot noir from their four hectare vineyard in the heart of Martinborough. Always happy to see old friends and welcome new ones, we invite you to visit our vineyard to experience our extraordinary wines; and the stunning natural beauty of our vineyard overlooking the majestic Tararua Ranges. Visits are by reservation only. Our tastings are private, intimate and informative experiences guided by either Braden or Gabrielle.

The first Winery you come to on State Highway 53 as you enter Martinborough. Look for the white gates on your left. We offer tastings and sales 7 days a week. In Summer, our Chef prepares beautiful fresh platters and lunch offerings to match with our wines. Enjoy a glass or two and friendly game of Petanque in the sun. -Winery tour $30 per person – 50min to an hour – 5 wines to taste while walking around Palliser’s site. -Barrel tasting $55 per person - 50min to an hour – Pinot noir OR chardonnay tasting, conducted in the barrel room, sampling wines from 4 barrels and finish with a taste of one of our Estate wines in the underground cellar -Wine and Cheese pairing – (12 persons max) $50 per person - 50min to an hour –Learn about the beauty of pairing with 5 Estate wines matched to 5 NZ cheeses -Group tasting – (10 to 25 persons) $20 per person

A world search, which also included France, Germany, North and South America as well as Australia for the ideal area with perfect conditions for viticulture, especially for Pinot Noir, brought Kai Schubert and Marion Deimling, graduates of the German Viticulture and Oenology University in Geisenheim to the Wairarapa, New Zealand. Schubert vineyards are closely planted and the unique climate produces low yields and internationally award winning wines with intense and complex character; predominantly exported to currently 25 countries.