About
First plantings were in 1992 and just less than 8 acres were planted. The remaining three acres were planted in 2005 and 2006. As we head towards retirement we have sold the back blocks of our vineyard but have fruit contracts in place for as long as we want to make wine. We have retained the front block of Pinot Noir closest to the tasting room and our home.
Certification and Licencing
General Managers certificate:
Wines
Known as the renown Red Headed Goddess of Wine; Susan manages the marketing, sales, café and cellar door aspect of the vineyard.
Leading a busy corporate life working under her maiden name of Susan Andrews, joining Mark in the vineyard was not on her agenda; however the romance of wine, sunny days and loads of hard work convinced her to try and the passion grew. Susan runs the marketing and sales side of the vineyard.
Gallery
Martinborough, a charming colonial town found approximately 65km to the east of Wellington may be small in size but is big in reputation, being renowned as one of the best wine producing areas of the country. With a kind microclimate and fertile soils, the region is rightly recognised for producing outstanding wines, especially Pinot Noir, and at the very heart of the wine making community is the relatively small privately owned vineyard of Haythornthwaite.
Mark, the eponymous founder of the vineyard, and still the current manager, made the quantum leap from a previous career in IT to establishing a winery, with little experience but an unquenchable passion to produce exceptional wines. The first vintage was released in 1998 and immediately this boutique vineyard in Martinborough saw its hard work and sustainable approach rewarded with numerous awards for their wines.
Decades later but still thriving and consistently producing superb wines, the business around the winery has expanded, acknowledging and responding to a requirement for customers old and new, to be able to share in the Haythornthwaite experience. Naturally enough, customers are invited to participate in wine tasting at this Martinborough vineyard but in addition Mark and his wife Susan have embellished the experience and visitors can enjoy the ambience of their beautiful vineyard gardens of Martinborough whilst sampling and enjoying food from the Haythornthwaite vineyard café in the midst of the famous Martinborough wine region. The delicious food menu is centred around meat and cheese platters served with crackers or bread, but all dietary requirements, including vegan and gluten free will happily be accommodated.
And whilst you are relishing your vineyard platters in the outdoor tasting room here in Martinborough, you will probably have a desire to sample one or more of the range of Haythornthwaite wines. Whilst being widely acclaimed for their Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir Rose, their Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc also stand up to close scrutiny, and very much in keeping with the family ethos of this vineyard, all the wine varieties are named after family and close friends! Furthermore, there is also a wide range of products such as conserves, jams, chutneys, and olive oils available to purchase from the pantry on site.
The ongoing success of the Haythornthwaite brand is attributed to more than hard work, although this is most certainly a feature – all the work on the vineyard, including harvesting is done by hand, but in collaboration the talents of a globally acclaimed wine maker, Wendy, the results speak for themselves.
For a truly memorable wine tasting experience in Martinborough, a visit to the Haythornthwaite vineyard is imperative. Take your time to savour some of the wines, produced for all palates, enjoy the relaxing ambience of the gardens whilst grazing upon a selection of sumptuous foods and simply revel in the surroundings.
Check out the times that our cellar door in Martinborough is open and come along to one of the premier Martinborough wineries with food where you will always receive the warmest of welcomes.
Martinborough, standing on free draining soils and situated in the southern part of the North Island, enjoys a very similar climate to that of the vaunted region of Burgundy, the birth place of Pinot Noir, so it is really no surprise that this town is home to some outstanding wineries. And in the company of the very best is the Haythornthwaite boutique vineyard that has graced Martinborough since 1992, producing award winning wines and now presenting the opportunity for a memorable wine tasting experience in the heart of Martinborough.
Alongside providing Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Reisling and Pinot Noir Rose wine tasting in Martinborough, the Haythornthwaite winery proudly presents the Cellar Door, Martinborough, a charismatic and welcoming vineyard café in Martinborough which showcases a fine selection of cold cut platters of meats and cheeses, served with fresh bread and crackers.
Offering outstanding produce with open hearted and convivial service that can be enjoyed in the Haythornthwaite vineyard garden in Martinborough – when the weather permits, of course, has established this venue as one of the premier Martinborough wineries with food and is a must visit for food and wine lovers visiting the region.
Haythorthwaite is a testament to the power of hard work and fulfilling a passion, and whether you come to take advantage of the exquisite tasting room in Martinborough, shop for delicious preserves and chutneys in the pantry store or choose to delight in the best vineyard platters in Martinborough, your visit will be sure to be a pleasure that lingers in the memory.
