Martinborough: Wine Tasting Day Tour with Lunch & Olive Grove

Summary

Martinborough wine tour with vineyard lunch & olive grove stop

You’ll sip award-winning wines straight from Martinborough’s boutique vineyards, share a vineyard lunch with local flavors (and maybe new friends), walk among olive trees for a tasting, and hear stories from guides who know every corner of this wine village. It’s relaxed but quietly memorable—you might find yourself thinking back to that view or that first taste long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll want to swirl it first,” our guide said, handing me a glass of pinot noir so dark it looked almost purple in the morning light. I tried to look like I knew what I was doing—maybe fooled no one. The air smelled faintly of earth and something sweet, maybe wildflowers or just the grass after last night’s rain. We’d barely left the car before someone started laughing about how many grapes you can eat before anyone notices (answer: not many). Martinborough’s famous Golden Mile really does feel close-knit—one minute you’re chatting in a cellar door, next you’re walking between rows of vines with sheep nosing around the fence line.

I didn’t expect to care much about the history part, but our driver—Paul, who grew up here—started pointing out old railway cottages and telling stories about how this little wine village got on the world map. He had that way of making you listen without trying too hard. Lunch was at a vineyard restaurant where they served platters loaded with cheese and olives and some bread that was still warm. I still think about that olive oil, actually—green-gold and peppery, nothing like what I buy back home. There was a moment when everyone went quiet for a bit, just eating and looking out over the vines.

The last stop was an olive grove tucked behind a row of poplars. We walked through the trees while the owner explained how they press the oil—her hands moving as she talked, like she was kneading dough in the air. The smell there was different again: sharp leaves, dust, something herbal I couldn’t name. By then we were all a little sun-warmed and sleepy from wine tastings (and yes, coffee is included if you need it). Getting dropped back at our place felt almost abrupt—I kept thinking I’d left something behind out among those vines.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided wine tasting and lunch tour

• Pickup from accommodation or railway
• Drive around Martinborough wine village
• Guided walk among grape vines
• Taste wine at award-winning vineyard
• Enjoy lunch at vineyard restaurant
• Taste wine along Golden Mile vineyards
• Olive grove tour and tasting
• Drop-off at accommodation or railway

Top questions

How long is the Martinborough wine tasting day tour?

The guided tour runs for approximately 8 hours.

Is hotel pickup included on this Martinborough wine tour?

Yes, round-trip pickup and drop-off from your Martinborough accommodation or Featherston Railway is included.

What meals are included during the tour?

The tour includes a two-course lunch at a vineyard restaurant with a glass of wine, plus coffee or tea.

Are there vegetarian or dietary options available for lunch?

You can advise specific dietary requirements when booking; options are available.

Is this Martinborough day trip suitable for wheelchair users?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

Do we visit more than one vineyard during the day trip?

Yes, you visit several boutique vineyards along Martinborough's Golden Mile for tastings.

Is there an age restriction for wine tasting on this tour?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years old.

Does this include an olive oil tasting experience?

Yes, there's an olive grove tour with tasting included in your day.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip pickup from your hotel or Featherston Railway station, guided visits to multiple boutique vineyards along Martinborough’s Golden Mile with tastings at each cellar door, a two-course lunch at one of the top vineyard restaurants (with local wine), coffee or tea to keep you going, plus an olive grove tour and tasting before heading back in comfort.