Seriously good news, chocolate lovers. The Martinborough Sweet Shop’s chocolate tasting room is open. Stocking over 100 New Zealand artisan chocolates in a dazzling array, owner Dr Jane Freeman-Brown (pictured above) says it’s one of the most comprehensive collections of chocolate in the country. It includes some quirkily delicious flavours – from the herbal (geranium, lavender) to the local (a Moy Hall Pinot Noir-flavoured chocolate) and clever (a buttered toast chocolate that does actually include buttered toast). Photos by Lucia Zanmonti.

“New Zealand artisan chocolate makers make very good quality chocolate, and they are very innovative,” says Jane.

If you’re confused about what to buy, you can try a shard from the tasting room’s capacious chocolate library or better still order a chocolate tasting. These range from the full $20 platter, which covers a spectrum of styles and flavours, and includes free gift after a spin of the chocolate wheel. Or you can try a $5 mini platter. Both are well-presented with a palate-cleansing cup of citrus tea, served in vintage porcelain cups.

The chocolate tasting room has combined with The Wine Bank in a wine and chocolate pairing event, and may do so again. And it has entertained its first hen party – “really good fun,” says Jane, who finds her customers come from all ages and genders.