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Martinborough in Summertime - The Insiders Guide

Martinborough in summertime is not to be missed, the climate, people and activities are incredible and unique, a world famous wine village now buzzing with so much to see and do, we've put together an insiders guide to take you through summer and beyond. We're sure you'll enjoy our gorgeous little village as much as we do!...

Helen Meehan - Olivo olives and life in Martinborough

If you ask Helen Meehan to describe the ethic of Olivo olive oil you will most likely catch the phrase "boutique, artisan and gorgeous". This has been the underlying philosophy of Olivo since Helen & husband John took the helm in 2003. It was a lifestyle change for the couple who saw Olivo, fell in love with the property & decided to buy it. " I was approaching a significant birthday," Helen tells us "so wanted something different to focus on". Having previously worked in IT and telecomm...

Julia Deans, Alice in Wonderland and Footnotes dance show - Kokomai continues to thrill and entertain us

Friday night we were privileged to witness a true & pure talent, Julia Deans & band "Both sides now" show,performing Joni Mitchell's songbook at Carterton events centre, another triumph for the Kokomai creative festival 2015. "This is not a tribute show, I'm not wearing a blonde wig.....or smoking a heap of cigarettes...it's just these guys & me with our interpretation of Joni's beautiful songs" says Julia as she eases into the set, a stellar performance which takes us back to the ...

Books, Irishmen, Singers & Magic - Kokomai Creative Festival update

On Saturday we headed over to Featherston Booktown & were delighted to find a town abuzz with creative energy, all centred around books. We started at the quirky emporium Mr Feather's Den & worked our way around town from Anzac Hall - full to the brim with book sellers & book lovers - to St Theresa's school where we witnessed a range of activities, including paper marbling & book binding. There were stations of activity set up at various point around the town, historical talks, ...

Dance Bites - Kokomai Creative Festival 2015

Tonight we were thrilled to attend "Dance Bites" a performance by students from the NZ school of dance to open the Kokomai Creative Festival. Held at the Carterton Events Centre, a sell out show this was an exhilarating start to the Festival - a privilege to witness such incredible talent. A selection of small dances, aptly named "Dance Bites" each performer told their short but poignant story so beautifully - Part 1 showcasing a range of traditional dances like "Sleeping Beauty", "Les Sylphides...

Martinborough Village Wedding Competition winners!

We love the magical beauty of this image, the love between the happy couple, the ethereal lighting, golden grass, the majestic cliffs of our beautiful South Wairarapa coast, the rugged landrover adding another dimension - a complete package. This is a perfect showcase of our region as a wedding destination.....simply magical. Daniel & Sarah win two nights at Altitude Apartments beautiful Studio apartment, a romantic dinner for two at Cafe Medici & a bottle of Margrain bubbles complimen...

Perfect Puddings with Ruth Pretty, Olivo Olive Oil & Lavenders Green

Last week we headed out of Martinborough to attend the Perfect Puddings event at Match wine bar. Part of the Wellington on a plate annual food festival, this event was a collaboration between well known Wellington caterer Ruth Pretty, Helen Meehan of Olivo Olive Oil & Mary Biggs of Lavenders Green. The goal to create perfectly delicious puddings using Ruth's expertise as a chef, Olivo's infused olive oils & Lavenders Green preserved lemons. "Not a tall order" says Ruth who is experience...

C'est Cheese

Your first stop when you hit the Wairarapa has to be C'est Cheese, an artisan cheese shop with loads of gorgeous deli goods to delight your taste buds & scintillate your senses. Just as you drive off the Rimutaka hill road, you'll see C'est Cheese in a quaint boutique set of shops at the south end of town, perfectly positioned on the left of Fitzherbert Street - a pit stop after coming "over the hill". Paul Broughton & his wares have fast become a local icon - his mission (as stated on...

Nick Arnold - Cafe Medici

Today we had coffee with Nick, owner & head chef at Martinborough's popular Cafe Medici & Nick Arnold catering. Nick's a busy man, so we were stoked to get some of his time, there's a lot on Nick's horizon these days. He's been at Medici 8 years now & the catering aspect of the business is taking off. Weddings, private functions, anniversaries, you name it they deliver. Nick & his team have built a reputation for exceptional food & are highly sought after. Cafe Medici is a ...

Take me to Cambridge Road

Martinborough holds many secret pleasures, this week we were privileged to find one such treasure, a "tucked away" private sanctuary, located down a meandering driveway close to Martinborough Village Square. Cambridge Road vineyard, owned by Lance Redgwell a young winemaker who is fast making a name for himself as an innovative creator of incredible wines. The approach is holistic - the vineyard based on biodynamic principles - a natural approach to the craft of wine making. We got the chanc...

Left Field Olive Grove Visit

Today we visited another of Martinborough's picturesque Olive Groves, the beautiful "Left Field" Grove owned by Colin & Di Hadley. Greeted by sheep quietly grazing the roadside, we were led into a stunning rambling driveway lined with mature olive trees... sentries to this perfect scenic destination. Left field grove lies on a hillside along Martinborough's Hinakura road, nestled amongst vineyards, a beef & sheep farm & neighbouring olive groves... we discovered a small piece of Par...

Midwinter in Martinborough

This weekend was a busy one in Martinborough Village, with the Midwinter affair night market, olive harvest time & lots happening around the town, we ventured out to enjoy the festival atmosphere. Here we share a few of our adventures, focusing on our local olive producers & a special wine tasting event!...

Sunday Lunch at Tirohana Estate Martinborough

In Martinborough we are spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants, fine wine, delectable cuisine, vineyards, olive groves, stunning venues & vistas...........we rarely leave town for this reason. A favourite venue is most definitely the beautiful Tirohana Estate on Puruatanga Road. One of our oldest established wineries, Tirohana boasts a Colonial style tasting room, fine dining restaurant, a quaint secretly tucked away emporium & beautiful grounds - this Sunday we decided to chec...

The Station Hotel Story

This week we met two visionary women who have lovingly transformed the Grand old Station Hotel into a stunning new Martinborough Village accommodation. We'd like to introduce you to Leanne & Fiona, their vision for the Station Hotel to create top story apartment accommodation above the fully tenanted ground floor of this grand iconic building. It's a vision we love... New York style living in the centre of the village, a spacious two bedroom apartment & an intimate studio to choose f...

Wharekauhau Country Estate - A Destinational Experience - Part 1

Some experiences shape you, some change you & some inspire you. Some are all these plus more... life-changing moments you wish you could just freeze in time & hold onto, they're so unique & precious. Such experiences don't come along too often, when they do you nurture them, tuck them away - a special place in your heart you'll always remember as being a pivotal moment in time... a sanctuary. This week we experienced such a moment, just a short drive from Martinborough in a locatio...

Martinborough Village #MVMums 2015 Prize Winners

"Lunch in the sun with my girl" sent in by Krystina, pictured here with her daughter Shontelle. Krystina has won a $100 voucher from Cool Change Bar & Eatery! Enjoy your time at this awesome venue, you are in for a treat!...

Lot Eight Martinborough - The Good Oil

On a cold Autumn day, with light southerly winds whispering through Martinborough village - a reminder that winter is near - we ventured out on Lake Ferry Road to visit the home of Lot Eight. Renowned as one of New Zealand's finest producers of extra virgin & cold pressed fragrant olive oils, we were excited to see what lay behind the scenes at the Lot Eight olive grove. On arrival we were warmly invited by Nalini Baruch (self professed "food lover") out of the cold & into the Lot E...

Wine Wars event at Peppers Parehua

What do you get when you put Kiwi & Aussie fine wines teamed with exquisite cuisine in a room with wine lovers from all around the world? Wine Wars! Sunday 26th April we were lucky enough to experience the annual Peppers Parehua wine wars event at the incredible Pavilion Restaurant in Martinborough. Facilitated by award winning Australian wine critic Nick Stock, this was an enlightening experience! Last year Australian winery Wirra Wirra took The title "over the ditch", so came back aga...

Colombo Winegrowers - Sunday wine tasting

With the perfect sunshine this weekend we decided to go down to Colombo Winery on Todds Road for wine tasting on the deck. Sitting in the sunshine with vineyard views enhanced by the beautiful Tararua ranges as a backdrop, this is an experience you have to try. A Martinborough "must do" Colombo is one of the regions newest wineries & definitely worth visiting. The only thing that beats this purpose built tasting room is the wine itself, if you've sampled Colombo wine you'll understand what...

Art in Martinborough - a weekend with Sheyne Tuffery

This weekend talented artist Sheyne Tuffery held a block printing workshop as part of his "Retrospect" exhibition currently showing in the Backspace Gallery at Thrive clothing, Martinborough. We were invited along to see the workshop in progress & talk to the artist - it's fantastic to see an artistic event like this happening in the village... We are keen supporters of the arts & all credit to the team at Thrive / Backspace Gallery for putting this together. So we called in expectin...

Martinborough Village Easter Selfie winners!

First prize for the #MVeasterselfie competition 2015 goes to Hugo! Congratulations on winning this basket of Easter Goodness... Including lots of chocolate & a $20 voucher from The Lolly Jar in Greytown! Thanks to the Lolly Jar! See their facebook page here: The Lolly Jar ...

Coffee & cake in Martinborough - with Alice Arndell

One of our passions at Martinborough Village is bringing you local stories about local people. This week we met Alice Arndell (aka Alice in Bakingland) for lunch at the Village café & to chat about her new book "Bake me Home" - due for release on May 1st. Alice is a baker through & through... we love how she clearly embraces baking as not just nourishment for the body but also for the heart, mind & soul... baking & Alice are clearly synonymous with love. Alice arrived for lu...

Easter in Martinborough Village! Tourist guide

Heading into Martinborough for the long weekend this Easter? Here's all the info you need P&K Martinborough - our local grocery store is open right through the long weekend including Good Friday from 7am -9 pm - so if you're coming over the hill grab your weekend grocery supplies in the village! link to P&K facebook page here: P&K MARTINBOROUGH FACEBOOK For contact details of all Martinborough businesses check our mobile friendly Martinborough Village website (links listed throu...

Wine, dreams & Martinborough musings-a chat with Clive Paton

As the seasons merge & the drought summer of 2014/15 becomes a balmy Autumn - with the current focus on grape harvesting in our idyllic village.......we bring you a series of interviews with local identities. Our aim is to share the diversity of Martinborough's people & to bring you frank insights into their perspective of the Martinborough community & culture. Kicking off the series is a chat with Clive Paton, well known local identity & founder of Ata Rangi vineyard. A renown...

Announcing the MV summer pix 2015 winners!

"Strolling through roadside fields of gold in Martinborough" from Natalie Gascoigne entry 128 The judges found in this an evocative sense of connection with nature and summer; a contemplative appreciation of something as simple as wandering through tall grass. There's a free-and-easy, slow summer pace about it that makes you want to stop and stick your toes into it too, rather than drive on by. Lovely composition and technically well-delivered....