Bucket list experience:

Marlborough Wine Region

Blenheim, South Island, New Zealand

Row of beautiful grape yard before sunset with mountain in Blenheim, New Zealand

Last updated: 20 December, 2022

Expert travel writer: Mark Chipperfield

The Marlborough wine region (which includes Wairau River) is New Zealand’s largest and most internationally celebrated wine-growing district, famous for its Sauvignon Blanc.

Despite its modest size, the region now offers a wide range of wine styles (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are gaining in popularity), over 80 small wineries and a ravishing rural landscape.

Many of the vineyards offer excellent cellar doors and conduct wine tastings; some have relaxed vineyard restaurants, but everything is wonderfully small-scale and intimate.

As well as wine, the region is also known for superb green-lipped mussels and venison.

While you're there

The Marlborough Tour company offers you the chance to be a winemaker for the day. Their half-day tour takes you to leading winery Framingham for a vineyard tour, a blending tutorial, and then the opportunity to blend your own Sauvignon Blanc. All followed by some wine tastings of course.

Recommendations

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Allan Scott Wines

Blenheim, South Island, New Zealand

Allan Scott Wines

This family-owned winery produces consistently brilliant (and aromatic) Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer, plus small quantities of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winery operates an award-winning restaurant and its own microbrewery, producing Moa Beer.

Best for ages 18+

Duration: 4-5 hours

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Framingham Wines

Blenheim, South Island, New Zealand

Framingham Wines

A small, independent winery that makes small-batch wines from its own and selected vineyards in the district. The winery has built a huge reputation for its Rieslings, but also makes other styles, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Gerwurztraminer.

Best for ages 18+

Duration: 4-5 hours

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Wairau River Wines

Blenheim, South Island, New Zealand

Wairau River Wines

Wairau River Wines is one of the region’s best-known tourist destinations – but fully deserves all the attention it receives. There’s an excellent restaurant, and the dominant wines here are Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir.

Best for ages 18+

Duration: 4-5 hours

More details >

Logistics

Price: Free

Minimum age: Any

Age suitable: 18+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Blenheim, the gateway to the wine region, is a short drive from the ferry port at Picton (there are regular sailings from Wellington), or a 3.5-hour drive from Christchurch.

Self-drive is the traditional way to visit the Marlborough vineyards. Pick up a guide at the nearest tourist office. You don’t need to book cellar door visits, but lunch reservations are advisable.

Small group tours and guided bike tours are also available; handy if you plan on having a boozy lunch. Explore Marlborough offer an excellent range of full- or half-day, guided or self-guided wine tours. The terrain is fairly flat, and there are plentiful wineries within short distances, so they’re suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Private and customised tours also available on request.

The Marlborough Tour Company also offer good wine tours.

When to do it

Vineyards are open all year round, but it’s best to avoid harvest (March-April) if you’re looking forward to meeting the winemakers themselves. Opening times vary by vineyard.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Full-Day Marlborough Wine Region Bike Hire

Blenheim

Full-Day Marlborough Wine Region Bike Hire

Leave your worries behind you, hire a bike, and spend the day touring around the beautiful, scenic Marlborough wine region. This bike hire will ensure you a stress-free day out with free use of the bike, a helmet, a winery map and free pickup and drop off from your Blenheim and Renwick accommodation, as well as our recommendations on which wineries to visit and what wines to taste.. Don’t miss out on this relaxing yet exciting self guided biking wine tour, save your spot today and book one of three options: Full day bike hire, full day including a delicious picnic lunch or full day including lunch from Picton!

Price: N46

Rating 4.77 / 5 [27 ratings]

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Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.

Blenheim

Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.

Discover the beauty of Marlborough your way. Rent a bike from us and enjoy your own self-guided wine tour. We’ll set you up with quality equipment and send you on your way with all the recommendations, tips and hints you need to craft your own unforgettable Marlborough wine adventure. Your full day bike hire includes a bike, helmet, hi-viz vest wine map and pick up from your local accommodation. Pick up is at 9.30am and we have you back to your accommodation about 5pm.

Price: N50

Rating 4.90 / 5 [122 ratings]

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Half-Day Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting

Blenheim

Half-Day Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting

Explore New Zealand's premier wine region on this half-day tour from Blenheim departing at 10am. Visit four different wineries in the Marlborough wine region, stroll through the vineyards, and sample wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. This small-group tour is limited to 11 people and includes pickup and drop-off from your Blenheim / Renwick accommodation. One of the stops will be at a winery resturant where you can enjoy lunch at your expense

Price: N150

Rating 4.92 / 5 [40 ratings]

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Half-Day Marlborough Wine Tour & Beer Tour

Blenheim

Half-Day Marlborough Wine Tour & Beer Tour

Afternoon cellar door tour with a lunch stop. A great option for people who desire the expert knowledge and connections that a winemaker tour guide can offer. A compact tour with time for lunch at a winery. On our half day tour you get up close and personal with the Marlborough wine region. You visit 3-4 wineries which can include a local brewery on request or a visit to Makana Chocolate Shop. Lunch at a vineyard restaurant is always a highlight for our half-day customers. The half day small group winery tour has an itinerary but the tour guide will invite participants to make winery requests and vineyard suggestions. If you have a favorite wine that you would like to taste and visit then we will make sure we take you there on this Half day Winery tour. Contact us to upgrade to a "Full-day Winemaker's Tour" which includes an informative vineyard stop, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at a modern working winery! 0800 478 868

Price: N155

Rating 4.98 / 5 [50 ratings]

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1/2day Marlborough Wine Tour lunch@Winery 5hrs Blenheim-Renwick

Blenheim

1/2day Marlborough Wine Tour lunch@Winery 5hrs Blenheim-Renwick

Start the day with collection from your location at 12pm for the Blenheim area. 1/2 day wine tour with lunch lasting about 5 hours. Start with a beautiful winery lunch (at own cost) and tasting then visit another 3 or 4 wineries in the afternoon. All standard tasting fees included. A fun afternoon while being educated by our experienced guides. Enjoy the various grape varieties and wines that Marlborough has to offer while taking in the gorgeous scenery of the Wairau Valley. Learn about the history of the region and maybe challenge yourself on varieties of grapes and types of wines you may not be familiar with. During the tour your guide will introduce each of the wineries and give the history of the region. Time permitting a talk in the vineyard discussing the way Marlborough tends the vines. If you have any special requests please enter these during the booking process.

Price: N165

Rating 4.98 / 5 [70 ratings]

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Full Day Winemakers Tour in Marlborough

Blenheim

Full Day Winemakers Tour in Marlborough

With a winemaker as your guide; your tour starts with an informative vineyard stroll, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at a modern working winery where you can taste grape juice fresh from the press, sample a young Pinot Noir from the barrel, or try a freshly filtered Sauvignon Blanc. You can ask all those curly questions, and capture the best behind-the-scenes winery photos. Next, we’ll get up close and personal with the Marlborough wine region and you’ll taste any delight that isn’t tied down. In our full day tour you visit 4-6 wineries which may include local breweries, with over 40 cellar doors to choose from, if you’ve got a favourite we’ll do our best to get you there. Lunch at a vineyard restaurant is always a highlight. There is opportunity to do a Cheese tasting, Olive oil tasting or a visit to Makana Chocolate Shop. Visit 4-6 wineries.

Price: N170

Rating 4.95 / 5 [145 ratings]

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Blenheim Half day Wine Tour

Blenheim

Blenheim Half day Wine Tour

Travel in a luxury minibus to the famous cellar doors of Marlborough on this approx. 5-hour tour. Compare the aromas of Marlborough's finest wines and taste the passion that goes into every bottle; then visit the barrel rooms and chat about viticulture and wine making. You will visit up to five wineries ranging from the internationally famous to boutique, family-run estates. Finish the day with a nibble of hand made gourmet chocolates at our chocolate factory. Minimum booking 2 passengers

Price: N175

Rating 4.97 / 5 [72 ratings]

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Full day guided wine tour (Not suitable for cruise ship passengers)

Blenheim

Full day guided wine tour (Not suitable for cruise ship passengers)

Take a relaxed and friendly tour with us around some of Marlborough's finest wineries. Discover the history and stories of vines and wines in the region while you sample a range of Marlborough's gorgeous wines and enjoy stunning scenery.

Price: N180

Rating 4.96 / 5 [52 ratings]

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Marlborough Wine Region Tour from the Port of Picton

Blenheim

Marlborough Wine Region Tour from the Port of Picton

Enjoy a 4-5 hour fun tour with a local chauffeur/guide departing from the Port of Picton with a scenic journey to the Marlborough Wine region. Taste award winning local wines, delicious gourmet treats and view stunning landscapes as you travel from place to place. Each cellar door offers unique styles and of course some famous Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. There is time to visit 3-4 wineries on your tour. Savour local cuisine in a winery garden café or enjoy a wine with a cheese, meat, seafood platter overlooking the stunning Wairau Valley. Returning to Picton in plenty of time for your ships scheduled departure you might like to include a short return drive to see spectacular views from a great look out of Picton Port, your ship and the sparkling Queen Charlotte Sound.

Price: N189

Rating 4.32 / 5 [77 ratings]

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Full-Day Taste the Wines of Marlborough Tour

Blenheim

Full-Day Taste the Wines of Marlborough Tour

Taste some of New Zealand's most vibrant and flavorful wines at the multi-award winning Marlborough cellar doors on this full-day small-group tour. During this scenic journey around the valley, you will encounter a range of fruity Sauvignon Blancs, lusty Aromatics and Pinot Noir to die for. Enjoy lunch (at your own cost) at a vineyard restaurant and finish your tour with a taste of hand-made gourmet chocolates. What an exceptional day! MINIMUM BOOKING FOR 2 GUESTS

Price: N190

Rating 4.93 / 5 [75 ratings]

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Marlborough Icons Tour - Wine tasting + Cruise

Blenheim

Marlborough Icons Tour - Wine tasting + Cruise

Enjoy the very best of Marlborough, at the top of New Zealand's South Island. Indulge in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the Marlborough Sounds and fresh local seafood on this full-day tour. A Marlborough wine tour in the morning is followed by a delicious Marlborough Sounds waterfront lunch, then a relaxing seafood cruise for the afternoon, accompanied by fresh local seafood and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as you cruise the stunning Marlborough Sounds.

Price: N250

Rating 4.86 / 5 [53 ratings]

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Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tour from Blenheim

Blenheim

Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tour from Blenheim

Indulge your senses with this special Marlborough Wine Tour, a full day exploring behind the scenes of the world-renown Marlborough wine region near Blenheim at the top of New Zealand's South Island. On this intimate wine tour, you’ll visit a select number of exclusive Marlborough wineries where you’ll taste award-winning reserve-grade Marlborough wine, talk with respected senior wine staff, explore beautiful Marlborough vineyards and enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch made with fresh local produce.

Price: N260

Rating 4.96 / 5 [32 ratings]

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Full-Day Wine Gourmet and Scenic Delight Tour of Marlborough from Picton

Blenheim

Full-Day Wine Gourmet and Scenic Delight Tour of Marlborough from Picton

You will experience sensational wines, stunning landscapes and delicious gourmet treats on this relaxing tour departing Picton, offering a full-day experience of the Marlborough wine region in New Zealand. A variety of options can also be included for heritage, ocean views and local craft hot spots. Your tour departs from Picton at 9:20am and a door to door service is provided from and to your accommodation. You travel in a small personal group of no more than 6 giving you a very personal group experience and a chance to meet like-minded travelers. All wine tasting fees are included and any personal requests or recommended hot spots are welcomed. Savor local cuisine at our winery venues (at your own cost). Enjoy the most popular wines Sauvignon and Pinot Noir and other wine varietals that grow well in our region. Your local chauffeur/guide has knowledge and experience to share with you and will create a fun and memorable day just for you.

Price: N295

Rating 4.71 / 5 [7 ratings]

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Destination guides

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

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