A great place to start on your self-guided cycling tour, Margrain Vineyard is an easy five-minute ride from the centre of town and has a cellar door, café, boutique accommodation and excellent wines. Martinborough is famous for its pinot noir so be sure to try the Margrain Home Block – it’s smoky, earthy and delicious.

A little further afield (but still less than 10 minutes by bike from town), Te Kairanga has recently revealed a new venue, The Runholder. It has a restaurant and tasting room where you can try Te Kairanga wines and the estate’s Lighthouse Gin. “There’s a magnificent view of the Wairarapa countryside but what you’ll love even more is the food and wine, such as chargrilled Wairarapa lamb ribs paired with a glass of Te Kairanga pinot noir,” says chief winemaker John Kavanagh.

If you have a taste for something different, head to Martinborough Brewery, the only brewery in the region. Crafted in small batches, the 10 beers on tap include the core range, seasonal brews and cider. A full-bodied beer with tropical notes, Hinakura Hazy Pale Ale is made using New Zealand hops and malt.

When lunchtime rolls around, pedal to Poppies Martinborough, five minutes from the town square. Start with a tasting and don’t miss the spicy, aromatic house-label pinot gris. Ask for a window table in the modern farmhouse and share a vineyard platter of cheese, cured meats, pickles and relish. Just outside, the property’s neat rows of vines stretch into the distance.

Karahui means “come together, gather and meet” and this venue epitomises that spirit. Located in a historic former bank, the elegant restaurant serves classic-with-a-spin dishes, such as gin- and clementine-cured salmon and confit duck leg with star anise and orange jus. In the same building but with its own entrance at the back, Tōhi Gin Room has more than 40 New Zealand gins and is the ideal spot for an aperitif.

Built in 1882, this 20-room boutique stay retains much of its historic charm. The heritage suites and rooms are located in the original building and have been decorated in 1800s style, with timber floors and some with clawfoot bathtubs. Garden suites in the property’s newer wing open onto a private courtyard and have a bright, contemporary feel. Downstairs, Union Square’s French-influenced menu features duck pâté and hazelnut-crusted snapper.

25 Spectacular New Zealand Locations You Don’t Know About Yet