Martinborough Wine Tour & Thai Degustation Experience

Discover Martinborough's wineries by day before an evening of exceptional food and wine at Soi 3, featuring wines from boutique producer Porters.

This private Martinborough wine tour showcases some of the region's most exciting Martinborough wineries, boutique wine producers and local hospitality. Hosted by wineinsights founder and WSET Level 3 qualified wine educator John, it offers a deeper and more personal introduction to Martinborough wine than conventional wine tasting experiences. The day culminates in a four-course Thai dégustation at Soi 3, with each course expertly paired and introduced alongside Porters wines, creating a unique Martinborough food and wine experience for one or two couples. 

Looking for a more traditional wine touring experience? Explore wineinsights' Private Wine Tours.

A Unique Martinborough Food & Wine Experience!

Created by wineinsights in partnership with Porters and Soi 3, this exclusive experience brings together three very different aspects of Martinborough's food and wine scene. Spend the day exploring selected Martinborough wineries before finishing with a four-course Thai dégustation dinner accompanied by five wines from boutique producer Porters.

While food and wine pairing is often associated with European cuisine, the vibrant flavours of Thai food can create some of the most exciting and unexpected wine combinations. The interplay of spice, fresh herbs, acidity and texture presents unique challenges for wine matching, while also creating opportunities for truly memorable pairings. This experience has been designed to showcase how carefully selected Martinborough wines can complement and elevate contemporary Thai cuisine.

Highlights

Expertly Guided by wineinsights

Benefit from the insights of wineinsights founder and WSET Level 3 qualified wine educator John as you discover some of Martinborough's most exciting wineries, wines and wine stories.

Explore Martinborough's Leading Wineries

Visit a carefully selected mix of Martinborough wineries and discover the diversity of wine styles, personalities and stories that make the region one of New Zealand's most respected wine destinations.

Contemporary Thai Cuisine at Soi 3

Enjoy a thoughtfully curated four-course Thai dégustation showcasing authentic flavours, contemporary techniques and fresh local ingredients at Soi 3.

Mature-Vine Wines from Porters

Discover the richness, texture and complexity that mature vineyards can bring, with each wine expertly paired and introduced throughout dinner.

Expert Food & Wine Pairing

Explore how carefully selected Martinborough wines can complement and elevate the vibrant flavours of contemporary Thai cuisine.

Private Experience for One or Two Couples

Designed exclusively for one or two couples, this intimate experience offers a relaxed and personalised alternative to larger group tours.

Your Day

9:30am - Collection from Your Accommodation

Begin your day with collection from your Martinborough or South Wairarapa accommodation.

9:45am - Martinborough Wine Region Briefing

Enjoy coffee at a local café while receiving an introduction to Martinborough, its wineries and the region's wine styles.

Want to learn more before your visit? Explore wineinsights' collection of Martinborough and Wairarapa wine articles.

10:00am - 4:15pm - Explore Martinborough's Wineries

Visit five carefully selected Martinborough wineries, with tastings and expert commentary throughout the day. A relaxed vineyard lunch is included.

4:30pm - Return to Your Accommodation

Take time to relax, refresh and prepare for the evening experience.

6:45pm - Collection from Your Accommodation

A short transfer to Soi 3 for the evening's dégustation dinner.

7:00pm - Thai Dégustation Dinner at Soi 3

Enjoy a four-course Thai dégustation with each course expertly paired and introduced alongside wines from Porters.

From 9:00pm - Return Transfer

Return transport to your accommodation is provided at the conclusion of dinner.

Meet Your Host

Hosted by wineinsights founder John Penney, this experience combines professional wine expertise with a longstanding interest in food and wine matching. John holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Distinction and has spent years exploring the wines of Martinborough and the wider Wairarapa through wine education, writing and private wine tours.

Adding a unique perspective to this experience, John also lived in Thailand for almost ten years. That experience fostered a deep appreciation of Thai cuisine and its remarkable diversity of flavours, helping inspire the concept behind this collaboration. While pairing wine with Thai food can be both rewarding and challenging, the combination of spice, acidity, texture and aromatics creates opportunities for some of the most exciting food and wine matches.

For this experience, John has worked with Porters and Soi 3 to curate a selection of wine pairings designed to complement the menu and showcase the versatility of Martinborough wine alongside contemporary Thai cuisine.

 

Porters Wines

Established on a five-acre Martinborough vineyard planted in the 1990s, Porters has quietly built a reputation for wines that express both place and vineyard maturity. The original vines are now more than 25 years old, contributing the richness, texture and complexity that only mature vineyards can provide.

Throughout dinner, guests typically enjoy five carefully selected Porters wines, including Méthode Traditionelle, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Late Harvest Riesling. Each wine has been chosen to complement the menu and demonstrate how thoughtfully selected Martinborough wines can elevate contemporary Thai cuisine.

Soi 3 Thai Restaurant & Wine Bar

Located in the heart of Martinborough, Soi 3 brings together authentic Thai flavours and modern culinary techniques in a relaxed yet refined dining setting. Drawing inspiration from Thailand's rich culinary heritage, the menu showcases thoughtfully crafted dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients.

For this experience, Soi 3 has created a special four-course dégustation designed to explore the interaction between food and wine. The restaurant's vibrant flavours, aromatic herbs and carefully balanced use of sweetness, spice and acidity provide an ideal setting to demonstrate the possibilities of food and wine matching.

What's Included

  • Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation anywhere in South Wairarapa.
  • Expert overview of the Martinborough wine region, accompanied by morning coffee.
  • Visits to five carefully selected Martinborough wineries.
  • A relaxed vineyard lunch.
  • All wine tasting fees throughout the day.
  • At least one exclusive winery experience not normally available to everyday cellar-door visitors.
  • A four-course Thai dégustation dinner at Soi 3.
  • Five carefully selected Porters wines matched to the menu.
  • Return transport following dinner.

Pricing & Availability

  • NZ$999 per two guests (incl. GST)
  • Available for groups of two or four guests
  • Unfortunately, this experience cannot be booked for individuals or groups of three
  • Available by advance booking only, Wednesday to Monday

  • The experience operates in all weather conditions. As transport is provided and most activities take place indoors, a rain jacket is only recommended in wet weather for short walks between venues and transport.