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Spend a day tasting award-winning Pinot Noir in New Zealand’s Martinborough wine region. XPLOR Tours offers a relaxed, immersive journey through vineyards, gourmet food, and scenic rural landscapes just outside Wellington.
Spend a day tasting award-winning Pinot Noir in New Zealand’s Martinborough wine region. XPLOR Tours offers a relaxed, immersive journey through vineyards, gourmet food, and scenic rural landscapes just outside Wellington.
Book with XPLOR Tours
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by XPLOR Tours · Wellington, Wellington
Martinborough, located just about an hour from Wellington in New Zealand's Wairarapa region, offers a refreshing retreat into rolling vineyards framed by rugged mountains and peaceful rural landscapes. XPLOR Tours’ Full Day Martinborough Wine Tour delivers a balanced mix of laid-back rural scenery, world-class wines, and engaging stories from passionate local winemakers.
The tour begins in Wellington, winding through the Hutt Valley where fans of The Lord of the Rings will spot iconic filming locations like Helms Deep and Rivendell. Crossing the Remutaka Mountain Range, guests arrive in the tranquil Wairarapa—a region celebrated internationally for its boutique wineries, especially those producing top-quality Pinot Noir, a variety celebrated for its complexity and delicate nature.
XPLOR Tours guides visitors through three carefully selected vineyards, where tasting sessions are paired with narratives about the vineyards’ histories and winemaking processes. Unlike rushed tastings, this tour offers an unhurried pace, focusing on savoring flavors and learning from the makers themselves. A highlight is the optional gourmet lunch platter designed to complement the wines sampled, heightening the sensory experience.
The day culminates with a visit to C’est Cheese in nearby Featherston, inviting guests to sample award-winning cheeses that perfectly round out the wine tour. The company’s attention to comfort is evident: pick-ups from central Wellington or the cruise port ensure seamless access.
XPLOR Tours stands out in New Zealand’s outdoor adventure scene by blending rural exploration with a refined tasting journey, all presented with a genuine local touch. This tour is ideal for visitors wanting a deep connection to the region’s land, culture, and produce, making it a distinct journey beyond traditional sightseeing.
easy.
6.5 hours.
Minimal physical activity required; suitable for most fitness levels.
The Full Day Martinborough Wine Tour lasts approximately 6.5 hours, with pickup times typically in the morning depending on your location in Wellington.
Lunch is not included but gourmet platters are available for purchase to complement your wine tastings.
Guests aged 12 and over can join the tour, but wine tasting is restricted to those 18 and older.
Yes, the tour is foldup wheelchair accessible to accommodate various mobility needs.
Yes, the tour includes visits and tastings at three award-winning vineyards.
Yes, transportation to and from Wellington and between wineries is included for your convenience.
Martinborough was modeled on English villages and settled in the late 19th century, gaining acclaim for viticulture from the 1980s onward.
Wairarapa vineyards often practice sustainable and organic viticulture, minimizing environmental impact and encouraging biodiversity in the region.
XPLOR Tours is a Wellington-based tour operator offering curated day trips and transfers across Wellington and Kapiti. The company runs a mix of full-day and half-day experiences that highlight the region’s natural landscapes, cinematic history and wine country. XPLOR Tours provides guided visits to Mount Victoria viewpoints, Weta Cave/Studios precincts, Te Papa Museum and scenic coastal drives, plus transfers to Kapiti for wildlife and nature-focused excursions. Tours range from a 3.5-hour half-day tour of Wellington to 6.5–7-hour full-day itineraries, giving visitors flexible options to match schedules and interests. XPLOR Tours lists a Kapiti Nature Tour (transfer), Full Day and Half Day tours of Wellington, dedicated Full Day and Half Day Lord of the Rings tours, and a Full Day Martinborough Wine Tour. Each itinerary emphasizes local knowledge, reliable transfers and curated stops that suit international and domestic travellers. XPLOR Tours operates from Wellington and promotes well-planned routes, clear meeting points and small-group attention to help visitors make the most of limited time. The operator focuses on consistent delivery of set-length tours and experiences, making it straightforward for guests to compare options and book the right tour for scenery, film-locations or wine tasting. The business is positioned as a practical, local choice for exploring Wellington, Kapiti and nearby Martinborough with guided convenience and region-specific expertise.
Book with XPLOR Tours