Fellowship of the Vines LOTR Wellington to Martinborough

5.0 (one review) 11 hours Private tour

out of 5

one review

5.0

Fellowship of the Vines LOTR Wellington to Martinborough — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Measuring up at Rivendell — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Step into a world where fantasy meets flavour. The Fellowship of the Vine is a breathtaking 11-hour odyssey that unites the cinematic wonder of Middle‑earth with the rich tastes of Martinborough’s finest vineyards — all from your starting point in Wellington.

Your journey begins at the legendary Wētā Workshop, home of Sir Richard Taylor’s award‑winning special effects for The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, The Rings of Power, and many more. Go behind the scenes and uncover the craft that brought Tolkien’s world to life.

Then, follow the path through Middle‑earth, past the shimmering River Anduin, and into Martinborough’s renowned wine country. Here, you’ll savour tastings from three boutique wineries, paired beautifully with artisanal cheeses and a gourmet lunch among the vines.

To complete your adventure, journey on to cinematic landmarks such as Rivendell — the home of Elrond, and the epic landscapes of Isengard and Helm’s Deep.

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At a glance

Duration: 11 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–11
Guide: English
Operated by: Kosher Tours & Travel NZ

Ages: Infants (0–4 years) · Children (5–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–64 years) · Seniors (65–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Entry to Themed locations on itinerary
Included: Bottled water
Included: Tea and coffee: Devonshire tea with Scones Cream and Jam
Included: Transport between locations
Included: Alcoholic beverages: One glass of Wine or Beer with Lunch
Included: Catered lunch
Included: Wine flight with tastings from 4 locally grown vintages

Itinerary

Wellington

15 min

Meet at your accommodation at 8:15am please bring 3 layers of clothing and sunscreen
Stop 2

1 h 30 min Admission included

Wētā Workshop has been making cool stuff for film and TV since 1987. Our crew has brought to life beloved characters and epic special effects for iconic blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Step into Wētā Workshop Experiences and explore a world of creativity, physical effects and movie magic on a guided tour through our creative home base.

You'll learn about the making of props, creatures and costumes created for your favourite films. Get hands-on with unique pieces from our many departments, catch our artists at work and discover how we’ve grown into the award-winning workshop you see today.
Stop 3

Passing by

The Remutaka Hill Road (SH2) is a vital, scenic, and thrilling 45-minute drive connecting Wellington to the Wairarapa. Known for its breathtaking, panoramic views and winding, adventurous path, it serves as the gateway to vineyard country and includes improved safety barriers. It offers an exhilarating experience for drivers and a picturesque journey for passengers.
Stop 4

1 h 30 min Admission included

Gourmet Lunch with wine flight

Moy Hall is a family-owned vineyard and restaurant located in the heart of wine country in Martinborough, New Zealand.

With a focus on sustainable viticulture, we produce handcrafted, single-vineyard wines that highlight the unique character of the region. Visitors are offered a warm and inviting dining experience housed in a charming Scottish longhouse set among the vines. Our restaurant showcases a menu of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, thoughtfully curated to complement their wines.
Stop 5

1 h 30 min Admission included

Gourmet lunch stop for weekend tours

Enjoy a wonderfully leisurely lunch, a glass of wine in the sun or kickstart your weekend in style. A destination in itself, 3 Little Words is a special place to gather with your friends and family to celebrate, laugh and feast.

Our sumptuous banqueting boards are created to delight your senses and be leisurely shared. They are fresh, seasonal and ever-changing

Lamb loin fillet with Muhammara - an almond

capsicum dip and an orange blossom hibiscus sauce.

Topped with toasted almonds.

Slow cooked pork belly with a chilli orange

marmalade glaze.

Sticky “Baklava” chicken with honey and dukkah.

Arancini - Pumpkin and sage rice risotto balls

crumbed and fried with aioli.

Maakouda - Moroccan spiced potato cake.

Ta’ameya - Pea and chickpea fritters with

housemade hummus.

Lemon, sultana and coriander couscous with

pinenuts and seeds.

Courgette, pickled green apple and fresh mint salad

with housemade soft fresh cheese.

Artisan bread
6
Stop 6

1 h 15 min Admission included
Meet the Wine maker and enjoy a tour through the vines learning about wine making and the seasonal variation of Martinborough. Have a cheese tasting while enjoying the 2024 vintage recognised by the Decanter Wine Awards.

We will be sampling
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
- A Rose with a Pinot/Merlot blend
- Semillon
- Chardonnay
- A selection of organic Wairarapa cheese & olives
7
Stop 7

45 min Admission included
Experience vertical tastings of Pinot noir led by a local sommelier. Including
- 2016 Estate Pinot noir
- 2018 Eclipse Pinot noir
- 2021 Blue Rock Pinot noir
- 2021 Eclipse Pinot noir
- 2020 Silver river Pinot noir
- Pinot Meunier rose
Rimutaka Rd Summit Track And Pylon Track

45 min

Return to Wellington and stop at Rivendale
Stop 9

35 min Admission included

Film Location

Kaitoke Regional Park is a short drive from Wellington city and is a popular day trip and camping destination. Nestled in the foothills of the Tararua Range, the park covers 2,860 hectares of native bush, including centuries-old rimu, beech, and rātā trees.

The trails range from short easy walks to more challenging climbs, catering to people of all ages and abilities.

The gentle waters of the Pākuratahi River are a hotspot for visitors and are perfect for cooling off after enjoying one of the trails. If you choose to stay overnight, camping facilities are available along with BBQs and fresh drinking water.

Kaitoke Regional Park is a haven for fans of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. Explore the magical location Rivendell film location including a replica Elvish Archway.
Stop 10

20 min Admission included

Film location

Harcourt Park: Transformed into the Gardens of Isengard for The Lord of the Rings, Harcourt Park is where Gandalf and Saruman first discussed the discovery of the One Ring. The park's open spaces and distinctive trees made it an ideal filming location.

New Zealand

The Garden of Isengard: Stroll through the serene gardens where Gandalf and Saruman conversed in The Fellowship of the Ring. This iconic location is just 100 meters from reception and remains as breathtaking as it was in the film
Poet's Park

20 min Admission included

Poet's Park in Upper Hutt, New Zealand, served as a filming location for The Lord of the Rings, specifically representing the River Anduin. Scenes filmed here include the Fellowship leaving Lothlórien by boat. It is located along the Hutt River near Wellington’s Kiwi Holiday Park
Stop 12

10 min Admission included

Film location

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Helm's Deep Movie ...Helm's Deep from The Lord of the Rings was filmed at Dry Creek Quarry in the Wellington region. The massive set for the Battle of Hornburg was constructed in this working quarry located near Upper Hutt,, which was also used for scenes of Minas Tirith. While the set was removed after filming, the location is a popular spot for LOTR fans visiting the area.