THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Drive over the Remutaka Ranges to Martinborough for a half-day of cellar-door tastings, scenic stops at the Stuart Macaskill Lakes and the Remutaka Summit, and sampling at three boutique wineries. Ideal for wine lovers short on time but eager to explore Wairarapa’s vines.
Drive over the Remutaka Ranges to Martinborough for a half-day of cellar-door tastings, scenic stops at the Stuart Macaskill Lakes and the Remutaka Summit, and sampling at three boutique wineries. Ideal for wine lovers short on time but eager to explore Wairarapa’s vines.
A low, salt-scented wind off Cook Strait eases as the van climbs away from Wellington, the Hutt River threading the valley below like a silver vein. By the time you crest the Remutaka Summit (555 m) the landscape changes from urban fringe to corrugated hills and the Wairarapa plain opening like a page. The tour pauses at the Stuart Macaskill Lakes viewpoint — water tucked into cut rock — before rolling into Martinborough’s tidy grid of streets and vines.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Zozo Travel - Tours of Wellington. Scenic, Winery, Brewery and Foodie Tours · Martinborough, Wellington Region
A low, salt-scented wind off Cook Strait eases as the van climbs away from Wellington, the Hutt River threading the valley below like a silver vein. By the time you crest the Remutaka Summit (555 m) the landscape changes from urban fringe to corrugated hills and the Wairarapa plain opening like a page. The tour pauses at the Stuart Macaskill Lakes viewpoint — water tucked into cut rock — before rolling into Martinborough’s tidy grid of streets and vines.
Martinborough’s modern identity is wine: vineyards planted from the 1970s turned limestone-leaning soils and warm, sheltered microclimates into prime Pinot Noir country. Geologically the Remutaka foothills are older greywacke and uplifted sediments; down on the plains, alluvial soils and free-draining gravels suit viticulture. The town itself has a quiet colonial layout and a cellar-door culture: boutique producers, hands-on tasting, and a slow rhythm that matches long afternoons.
Practically, expect a 5.5-hour outing with roughly 1–1.5 hours driving each way (≈80–90 km one-way), and visits to three cellar doors where tastings last 15–45 minutes each. Most of the activity is seated transport plus short walks across gravel or lawn at cellar doors. Bring ID (minimum drinking age 18), sun protection, and a lightweight jacket—the Remutaka can turn cool suddenly. If you want to linger in a tasting room or buy bottles, plan payment by card and consider leaving space in your luggage or arranging shipping.
The tour is an accessible way to experience Wairarapa wine country: sensory, straightforward, and rooted in the region’s changing soils and weather.
The tour runs about 5.5 hours and includes return transport from Wellington, live commentary, and visits to three cellar doors with wine tastings; specific wineries may vary.
Yes — departures are from Wellington with pick-up details provided at booking; travel time to Martinborough is roughly 1–1.5 hours each way.
Tastings are included at each cellar door as part of the tour experience, but purchases of bottles are at your own expense.
The tour listing notes wheelchair accessibility; infants and small children can use strollers, though wine tastings require guests to be 18 or older.
Zozo Travel - Tours of Wellington. Scenic, Winery, Brewery and Foodie Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A low, salt-scented wind off Cook Strait eases as the van climbs away from Wellington, the Hutt River threading the valley below like a silver vein. By the time you crest the Remutaka Summit (555 m) the landscape changes from urban fringe to corrugated hills and the Wairarapa plain opening like a page. The tour pauses at the Stuart Macaskill Lakes viewpoint — water tucked into cut rock — before rolling into Martinborough’s tidy grid of streets and vines.
A low, salt-scented wind off Cook Strait eases as the van climbs away from Wellington, the Hutt River threading the valley below like a silver vein. By the time you crest the Remutaka Summit (555 m) the landscape changes from urban fringe to corrugated hills and the Wairarapa plain opening like a page. The tour pauses at the Stuart Macaskill Lakes viewpoint — water tucked into cut rock — before rolling into Martinborough’s tidy grid of streets and vines.
Martinborough’s modern identity is wine: vineyards planted from the 1970s turned limestone-leaning soils and warm, sheltered microclimates into prime Pinot Noir country. Geologically the Remutaka foothills are older greywacke and uplifted sediments; down on the plains, alluvial soils and free-draining gravels suit viticulture. The town itself has a quiet colonial layout and a cellar-door culture: boutique producers, hands-on tasting, and a slow rhythm that matches long afternoons.
Practically, expect a 5.5-hour outing with roughly 1–1.5 hours driving each way (≈80–90 km one-way), and visits to three cellar doors where tastings last 15–45 minutes each. Most of the activity is seated transport plus short walks across gravel or lawn at cellar doors. Bring ID (minimum drinking age 18), sun protection, and a lightweight jacket—the Remutaka can turn cool suddenly. If you want to linger in a tasting room or buy bottles, plan payment by card and consider leaving space in your luggage or arranging shipping.
The tour is an accessible way to experience Wairarapa wine country: sensory, straightforward, and rooted in the region’s changing soils and weather.