THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A full‑day guided run from Wellington into the Wairarapa that visits three boutique wineries, a craft brewery option and a specialty cheese shop. Expect scenic driving over the Remutaka Range, cellar‑door tastings, and a gourmet platter lunch stop.
A full‑day guided run from Wellington into the Wairarapa that visits three boutique wineries, a craft brewery option and a specialty cheese shop. Expect scenic driving over the Remutaka Range, cellar‑door tastings, and a gourmet platter lunch stop.
You step onto the minivan in Wellington and the city gives way to low hills; the Remutaka Range folds open, and the road leans into the quiet of rural Wairarapa. By the time the vineyards appear—rows of vines reaching for the sun—you can feel the day stretching: tastings, a craft brewery option, and a cheese shop that makes you slow down.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Xplor Tours · Martinborough, Wellington Region
You step onto the minivan in Wellington and the city gives way to low hills; the Remutaka Range folds open, and the road leans into the quiet of rural Wairarapa. By the time the vineyards appear—rows of vines reaching for the sun—you can feel the day stretching: tastings, a craft brewery option, and a cheese shop that makes you slow down.
Martinborough is one of New Zealand’s compact wine towns where pinot noir and aromatic whites have found cool-climate expression since commercial plantings expanded in the 1970s. The geology here—gravelly river terraces drained by nearby rivers—creates free‑draining soils that vines favor, while the microclimate is moderated by the nearby Cook Strait. The region’s small cellar doors are as much about conversation as they are about wine: boutique producers, hands-on hospitality and a pace that invites tasting and learning.
Expect three boutique winery stops (or four if you swap the brewery), paired tasting fees included, a chance to sample local craft beer, and a visit to a specialty cheese shop. Lunch is a gourmet platter at a boutique cellar door (cost not included) and there’s live commentary on board pointing out Lord of the Rings filming sites as you cross the Remutaka.
Practicalities: the tour runs roughly 6–6.5 hours with hotel pickup in Wellington CBD; it’s physically easy but requires sensible footwear for cellar doors and sun protection. Bring a reusable bottle, ID (minimum age 18), and a plan for transport if you intend to drink—this tour’s design makes sampling easy, not driving.
easy.
6–6.5 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires the ability to board a minivan and stand during tastings.
Default pickup is Wellington iSite Visitor Centre; you can specify your CBD hotel at booking or provide a cruise port pickup if arriving by ship.
A gourmet platter lunch stop is arranged at a boutique winery but the cost of food is not included in the tour price.
Yes — the tour offers the option to replace the craft brewery with a fourth winery on request; notify the operator when booking.
Yes — tastings and the cheese shop offer non‑alcoholic options, and the scenic drive and commentary make the day enjoyable for non‑drinkers.
Martinborough grew into a focused wine community from small‑scale plantings in the late 20th century; its village plan and compact cellar doors encourage walking and intimate tastings.
Many wineries in the Wairarapa practice sustainable viticulture and water‑wise management; visitors can support this by using refillable bottles, disposing of waste responsibly and staying on designated paths.
Xplor Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step onto the minivan in Wellington and the city gives way to low hills; the Remutaka Range folds open, and the road leans into the quiet of rural Wairarapa. By the time the vineyards appear—rows of vines reaching for the sun—you can feel the day stretching: tastings, a craft brewery option, and a cheese shop that makes you slow down.
You step onto the minivan in Wellington and the city gives way to low hills; the Remutaka Range folds open, and the road leans into the quiet of rural Wairarapa. By the time the vineyards appear—rows of vines reaching for the sun—you can feel the day stretching: tastings, a craft brewery option, and a cheese shop that makes you slow down.
Martinborough is one of New Zealand’s compact wine towns where pinot noir and aromatic whites have found cool-climate expression since commercial plantings expanded in the 1970s. The geology here—gravelly river terraces drained by nearby rivers—creates free‑draining soils that vines favor, while the microclimate is moderated by the nearby Cook Strait. The region’s small cellar doors are as much about conversation as they are about wine: boutique producers, hands-on hospitality and a pace that invites tasting and learning.
Expect three boutique winery stops (or four if you swap the brewery), paired tasting fees included, a chance to sample local craft beer, and a visit to a specialty cheese shop. Lunch is a gourmet platter at a boutique cellar door (cost not included) and there’s live commentary on board pointing out Lord of the Rings filming sites as you cross the Remutaka.
Practicalities: the tour runs roughly 6–6.5 hours with hotel pickup in Wellington CBD; it’s physically easy but requires sensible footwear for cellar doors and sun protection. Bring a reusable bottle, ID (minimum age 18), and a plan for transport if you intend to drink—this tour’s design makes sampling easy, not driving.