Winemaker makes the most of Martinborough’s magic

It’s not quite Wellington but many of us make the commute over the hill or plan a weekend away in Martinborough to visit the vineyards. Affable Dutchman Wilco Lam put down roots in the South Wairarapa district 20 years ago and is now the new chair of Wair

Where do you live?

Here in Martinborough. It’s an old villa and we’ve got a little vineyard with it and everything, so we’ve retained the lifestyle. It’s been a renovating job that we’ve been doing as well as work so it’s a project that’s going to take some time, but it’s been really awesome to have your own say in a house without building a new one.

The most special thing about South Wairarapa?

People. It’s pretty much a feeling that I’ve had since I came here. People are super keen for you to get stuck in to the region here and do your thing. You reach out to people and you get so much back.

What is you favourite hangout in Martinborough?

At the moment it’s home because I just moved into a new house and I have never been able to claim a house for my own so that’s nice.

What would you recommend to visitors who come to South Wairarapa?

Hire a bike and do the Martinborough circuit on those four or six-berth bikes and find your wineries. Go for a pizza and a beer at Colombo, have a gin tasting at Te Kairanga, sit down for an amazingly informative wine tasting at Ata Rangi, go for something new and exciting at Cambridge Road ... So many places are doing it well and pleasing the public and that’s what people should try. You could even go for a beer in a brewery afterwards.

What’s the hot topic in Martinborough right now?

The wine season, I think. For me it’s also around sports and schools and kids really. That is what all the people I hang out with talk about. The board has just come up with a new strategic plan for Martinborough School and I think that’s quite exciting. How can we get the soccer club up and running?

What do you want to achieve as chair of Wairarapa Wine Region?

I felt it was time to take on the role of representing the industry in Wairarapa and trying to promote its brand to the wider public. It feels like the first time in years there’s been efforts made to make a more cohesive push for the region and I want to be part of that positivity.

PIERS FULLER/STUFF Martinborough winemaker Wilco Lam says of the district’s people: “You reach out ... and you get so much back.’’

Wilco Lam and general manager Sarah Bartlett at On Giants’ Shoulders cellar door in Martinborough. With the investment of a German family, Lam and his team have taken on interests in two vineyards. They’ve bought On Giants’ Shoulders in Princess St and taken the lease of Alexander Vineyard’s winemaking facilities and vines in Hinekura Rd.