Poppies - Martinborough

Poppies is a beautiful Martinborough winery known for its intimate wine tastings with winemaker Poppy Hammond and seasonal tasting platters. Their reputation is well deserved, with lovely hospitality in a stunning venue. The tasting platter works out at $22 per head (including bread) and features a delicious range of food items including rosé poached salmon, pork belly slices, olive tapenade, tiny marinated mushrooms,  pumpkin hummus, medium rare beef strips, stuffed artichokes and peppers, olives, brie and crostini (among other things).<br/ <br/ Vegetarians are also catered for on request and their platters reassembled to exclude meat products.

A wonderful vineyard with a busy restaurant. We ordered the seasonal platter for two which were really delicious and good value. Will definitely revisit.

Popped for lunch and a wine tasting.<br/ <br/ Poppy herself conducted the wine tasting and gave a fun, open honest description of the background and make up of each wine.<br/ <br/ As our waitress informed us; Poppies is more a tasting room rather than a restaurant. So the menu is small.<br/ <br/ We opted for the player for two, $40.00. We requested vegetarian which they do (by upping the amount of veg to replace the meat). We also ordered bread $2 each. <br/ <br/ The platter was big and full of variety. Olive tapenade, artichoke, marinated mushrooms, humous, caramelised onions. The list went on. <br/ <br/ I love eating this way. A big variety of different flavours and textures. It was thoroughly enjoyable. We also ordered a glass of white wine. I'm not a white wine fan mostly but their Riesling was beautiful. Sweet and crisp which accompanied the platter perfectly. My partner ordered the Pinot Gris and also thoroughly enjoyed it.<br/ <br/ Staff were all friendly and helpful.<br/ <br/ Just writing about the platter I'm getting hungry again!

I have tried several times to have lunch at Poppies but they were always full. <br/ <br/ Arriving at 3.50pm we thought we might be too late to get served (they close at 4pm). But Poppie welcomed us with open arms. We were told we needed to order quickly because the kitchen was closing, but could stay as long as we liked. <br/ <br/ The menu is limited to platters, but that only made the choice easier. We ordered the signature platter and were pleasantly surprised by the amount and selection of food provided. <br/ <br/ Items like roast pork, stuffed vine leaves, artichokes, spanish tortilla and roast beef separates this platter from other platters in the area. I just didn't know where to start. <br/ <br/ This is not fancy michelin star fair, but is honest, simple, and tasty food. <br/ <br/ There was a limited wine selection as most varieties had sold out. This tells me the must have been good. However, the sauv blanc was a perfect pairing for the platter. <br/ <br/ Though the sun was setting we were never rushed. We left full and satisfied.

Without a doubt, the best service in the Wairarapa. Staff and owners are incredibly welcoming and friendly. Lovely wine to compliment the platters. There is only one choice here, the fabulous platters but a few desserts to choose from. A very special experience.