Aotearoa's small and mighty wine region.
A short drive north of Wellington, over the scenic Remutaka Range, you’ll find boutique wineries, world-famous wines and a warm Wairarapa welcome.
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Craggy Range
Nau Mai tō te Wairarapa
Welcome to the Wairarapa wine region. Our region's vineyards produce exquisite wines that reflect the care and expertise of our winemakers. Here is where Pinot Noir was first planted in New Zealand, and now we have some of the country’s oldest vines.
Time slows down in this picturesque region. Every sip of wine entices you to slip off your shoes, wander among the vines and taste the terroir for yourself.
Savour With Us
Take a weekend break, a day trip or simply visit us online. there are endless ways and days to sip and savour your way through our BOUTIQUE wine villages AND CELLAR DOORS.
SMALL and MIGHTY
Wairarapa produces just 1% of New Zealand's wine, and yet it is world-famous for producing many of the country's best.
Our region's winemakers produce exceptional wines from small parcels of land, resulting in some of the most sought-after wines in the world. With over 60 boutique wineries operated by renowned winemakers and growers, a visit to the Wairarapa wine region offers a unique and personal experience that you won't find anywhere else.
Wairarapa is nestled in the lower North Island and comprises five small townships, each with its own character and charm. Here, our passionate winemakers care deeply about their craft and the art of wine growing. Exceptional Pinot Noir might be our region’s claim to fame, but there is plenty to discover behind the growing number of cellar doors.
true character awaits
Wairarapa is home to country charm, spectacular landscapes and superb wines. It’s the small, mighty wine region where you’ll find a myriad of globally acclaimed wineries, friendly winemakers and true local character.
The Home of Iconic New Zealand Pinot Noir
New Zealand’s first Pinot Noir vines were planted in Wairarapa soils, and today we have some of the country's oldest producing vines. The limestone-rich soils, temperate coastal climate and shelter from the Tararua mountain range create the perfect conditions for this iconic variety. Wairarapa Pinot Noir is a must-drink experience for wine lovers, and every bottle is a testament to the fine terroir that distinguishes our region.
The landscape
Wairarapa’s wine story has its roots in our region's unique terroir. This south-eastern coastal corner of the North Island, one hour’s drive north-east of Wellington, is home to an ideal blend of wind, soil and climate. These features provide perfect grape growing conditions found nowhere else in Aotearoa.
Our climate is perfect for wine, with warm summers and cold winters akin to those in Burgundy—the paragon for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Ruamahanga River is our lifeblood. Plentiful in its resources, and humbling in its spiritual significance, the river connects us all. It flows from the Tararua Range and through the valleys, hills and plains of our three winegrowing sub-regions, toward the rugged coast. Over millennia it has carved dramatic cliffs, exposing the free-draining soils and alluvial river terraces that give our region’s wines their unmistakable character.
Plan your journey along the Ruamahanga River.
Explore Wairarapa
As you explore our region, you'll discover each township has its unique charm, from the quaint colonial charms of Greytown to the artistic community of Martinborough wine village. Our locals are warm and welcoming, and they take pride in sharing their knowledge of wine and food with visitors.
SO COME AND EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF THE WAIRARAPA WINE REGION FOR YOURSELF. WE INVITE YOU TO SLIP OFF YOUR SHOES, WANDER AMONG THE VINES, AND BREATHE IN THE RICH TERROIR OF OUR REGION. WHETHER YOU'RE A SEASONED WINE ENTHUSIAST OR SIMPLY APPRECIATE THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE, WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US. LET US SHOW YOU OUR WORLD IN A GLASS OF WINE.
