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Last updated: 26 June, 2023
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.

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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More details >

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

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More details >
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.

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

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: N60

Min age: 0

Rating 4.89 / 5 [129 ratings]

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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 a 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!

Price: N60

Min age: 5

Rating 4.77 / 5 [27 ratings]

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Marlborough Discovery Sampler Wine Tour & Lunch - 1/2Day Blenheim

Blenheim

Marlborough Discovery Sampler Wine Tour & Lunch - 1/2Day Blenheim
Our experienced Tour Host will collect you from your advised accommodation approximately 15 minutes before tour start time. Your chosen tour will be for approximatley 5 hours returning you to your accommodation. Our first stop will be at an award winning Vineyard Cellar Door where a wine tasting experience and lunch will set the day. After lunch, a fun afternoon will commence with approximately another 3 Cellar Door experiences where you will enjoy award winning top fligh vineyard wines. Time permitting - A good wine starts in the vineyard, we'll explain how vines are planted, pruned, managed and harvested.   All Cellar Door tasting experience fees are included in your tour tariff. Lunch is at the guests cost on the day, not included in your tour tariff. For Bespoke and Premium Private Tours please visit our website . If you have any special requests please enter these during the booking process.

Price: N160

Min age: 18

Rating 4.86 / 5 [82 ratings]

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Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting

Blenheim

Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting
Explore New Zealand's premier wine region on this 3-4 winery visit tour from Blenheim departing at @10am.  Visit 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 The tour takes @4.5 hours.

Price: N165

Min age: 18

Rating 4.92 / 5 [41 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

Min age: 18

Rating 4.97 / 5 [79 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 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. This tour does not include a visit to Cloudy Bay, Fromm and Hans Herzog. 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: N175

Min age: 18

Rating 4.98 / 5 [55 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

Min age: 18

Rating 4.94 / 5 [87 ratings]

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Marlborough Discovery Full Day Wine Tour & Lunch - Blenheim

Blenheim

Marlborough Discovery Full Day Wine Tour & Lunch - Blenheim
Our experienced Tour Host will collect you from your advised accommodation approx. 15 minutes before tour start time. Your chosen tour will be for approx. 7 hours and returning you to your accommodation. Visiting up to 6 appointment only Cellar Door vineyards & resturant experiencing their top flight wines. Sauvignon blanc may be the dominant force in this are, but with over 15 grape varieties grown we have a wine to suit every palate. Immerse yourself in the fascinationg stories of incredible personalities, challenges that have made Marlborough a New World Wine Region. Time permitting - A good wine starts in the vineyard, we'll explain how vines are planted, pruned, managed and harvested.   Cellar Door tasting experience fees are included in your tour tariff. Lunch is at the guests cost on the day, not included in your tour tariff. For Bespoke and Premium Private Tours please visit our website . If you have any special requests please enter these during the booking process.

Price: N190

Min age: 18

Rating 4.96 / 5 [55 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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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: N195

Min age: 1

Rating 4.32 / 5 [77 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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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 may be able to 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 a local brewery (depending on the preferences of the group), with over 40 cellar doors to choose from, if you’ve got a favourite we’ll do our best to get you there. This tour does not include a visit to Cloudy Bay, Fromm and Hans Herzog. Lunch at a vineyard restaurant is always a highlight and is at your own cost. There is opportunity to visit the Makana Chocolate Shop. Visit 4-6 wineries.

Price: N195

Min age: 18

Rating 4.95 / 5 [167 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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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 BBQ lunch on board the vessel before departure, 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

Min age: 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [53 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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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: N250

Min age: 18

Rating 4.97 / 5 [34 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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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

Min age: 1

Rating 4.71 / 5 [7 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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