About
The Runholder gathers Wairarapa’s fresh food, fine wines and famous gin, at home together under one roof.
Our Brands
The Runholder is the home of Te Kairanga, Martinborough Vineyard and Lighthouse Gin.
Nestled between vineyard rows and the edge of the Martinborough Terrace, The Runholder is the home of Te Kairanga, Martinborough Vineyard and Lighthouse Gin. Encompassing a cellar door, barrel hall and gin distillery, The Runholder offers a unique destination experience in Wairarapa.
Discover our iconic wines and gin with a tasting experience in our tasting room, or savour by glass or bottle, perfectly paired with seasonal cuisine in our restaurant. Visit our cellar door to take home the bottles you loved the most.
The Runholder is the only place you’ll find rare, new release and library wines from these iconic pioneering Martinborough producers.
Our Place
Martinborough is New Zealand’s boutique wine village.
This small, perfectly-formed wine region in the Wairarapa region northeast of Wellington produces many of New Zealand’s finest wines. Originally dominated by farming, Martinborough’s Burgundy-like climate, dry river beds and rocky soils have made it one of New Zealand’s premier winegrowing regions.
The Runholder is a 5-minute drive or 10-minute pedal from Martinborough Square, stationed on the edge of the famed Martinborough Terrace.
The Runholder is one of the few locations offering coveted views of the Martinborough Terrace. Here you can revel in the panoramic views across Martinborough’s landscape while enjoying Wairarapa’s famous food, wine and gin.
Our Story
The Runholder sits on a run of land originally held by Martinborough’s pioneering namesake, John Martin.
Once home to sheep who had the run of the land, The Runholder is now home to Te Kairanga, Martinborough Vineyard & Lighthouse Gin, New Zealand’s original craft gin since 2005.
Te Kairanga is central to the Martinborough wine story with vines planted in 1984 on this land originally owned by Martinborough’s founder, while Martinborough Vineyard planted Wairarapa’s very first Pinot Noir vines in 1980. As home to two of Martinborough’s earliest wineries, we continue cultivating this land to produce exceptional wines today.
Our name is a nod to Martinborough’s farming history and our strong connection to this land.
Our People
Our managers lead a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional food, wine, gin and genuine hospitality.
ERIN-LAWTON MCKENZIE
Venue Manager
RAQUEL “ROCKY” REGIS
Senior Sous Chef
JOHN KAVANAGH
Te Kairanga Chief Winemaker
TOM TURNER
Martinborough Vineyard Winemaker
RACHEL HALL
Lighthouse Gin Head Distiller