Blenheim

Tours

Discover the beauty of Marlborough your way and enjoy a self-guided wine tour. You will be set up with a bike, helmet, and a wine map before being sent on your way with all the insights you need to craft your own unforgettable Marlborough wine adventure. The terrain is flat, the biking is easy, and the scenery is stunning. Spending the day cycling between vineyards is one of the best ways to take in the beauty of Marlborough. The bike rental base is within 3 kilometers of over a dozen wineries. There is off-road parking and an on-site café where you can pick up a picnic lunch or a drink before your adventure begins. Free transport to and from the Vines Village from Blenheim and Renwick accommodation is included with all full day bike hire, meaning you can just relax and enjoy your day. (Pick up from Picton or Havelock is not included and must be arranged with a local shuttle company.)

This half-day tour begins with pickup from the meeting points in Blenheim then heads out into the rolling countryside of Marlborough.  Sip is ideal for gaining an introduction to Marlborough’s incredible wine region in a fun and relaxed way. Visit some of the region’s top cellar doors, and sample a selection of the very best wines. While you taste, learn about each of the wines and how they’re made, as well as the people who make them and the history of the wineries. At the end of a beautiful afternoon, enjoy drop-off at around 4-4:30PM.

You will be collected from your Blenheim hotel at 10.00 AM. Relax in the luxury minibus as your guide describes the enigmatic history of Marlborough and its world-famous wines. Each cellar door in the Wairau Valley is unique, reflecting the rare conditions which make their wines special. The bright Sauvignon Blancs, delectable Pinot Noir and tropical Aromatics have won multiple international wine awards. Not even the French can match the quality of the Sauvignon Blanc. Your tour through the vineyards will visit a variety of famous internationally branded cellar doors to the boutique family-run winery, to illustrate the diversity of wines available.  Join your guide on a stroll through a vineyard to learn about the unique conditions which produce such stunning wines and the challenges that our winemakers must overcome to consistently produce award-winning aromas and textures. Smell the wine in the barrel rooms as it matures in the oak casks. There is a stop for lunch (at own cost) at a stunning vineyard restaurant where you can savor Marlborough delicacies, from simple cheese platters to Royal salmon and Mussels or other regional specialties. Whilst your food is being prepared, you can move through to the tasting room to meet the cellar hosts as they discuss their range of wines on offer. Continue to enjoy the wines at other cellar doors after lunch. Our last stop is at the local Chocolate Factory to taste exquisite hand-made gourmet chocolates and watch the staff demonstrate their mastery of the chocolatier's skills. Your tour will end with your safe delivery back to your hotel in Blenheim or ship in Picton.

Enjoy a morning guided tour and an afternoon self-guided tour as you bike among Marlborough's vines. Get the best of both worlds as you soak up the knowledge of your expert guide in the morning and do your own exploring in the afternoon. During the morning guided tour, you'll visit at least three wineries and take in the incredible views of the Richmond Range, Wither Hills, Wairau River. Wind along bike paths, quiet country roads, and through the vineyards while learning about Marlborough's wine-making history. Enjoy a small and personal tour with a maximum of eight people. Your guide will answer your questions and ensure you have the best possible experience. In the afternoon, take control of the adventure, armed with your winery map and expert advice from your guide on lunch spots, wineries, and routes. Taste some exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and a range of aromatics. Return to the Vines Village at 4:30 PM for return transport to your hotel.

Enjoy the flexibility of exploring Marlborough at your own pace without the stress of wondering where to go. Spend more time exploring with the conveniently organized transportation of this hop-on hop-off tour.  Sit back and relax on a comfortable coach as your knowledgeable driver prepares you with all the information needed for a fantastic day out.  Visit popular attractions and local gems in Marlborough, including museums, breweries, restaurants, activity centers, shopping areas, and of course, some of the best breweries and wineries in the region.  Jump on and off as you please, visiting as many destinations as you like and choosing your duration of stay at each spot.

Discover the flavors of Marlborough on a half-day small-group tour. Be picked up from your Blenheim accommodation and travel through the scenic beauty of the Marlborough vineyards. Collection from Picton is available at a small surcharge per group. Relax in a luxury minibus as your guide shares insight into the region’s history and world famous wines. You will visit five cellar doors on this tour from famous internationally branded cellar doors to boutique family-run wineries. Requests for particular wineries will be accommodated where possible.  Stroll through a vineyard with your guide. Learn about the region’s unique conditions and the challenges wine makers must overcome. The lunch stop at a cellar door restaurant is at own cost. Sample hand-made chocolates at the local Chocolate Factory. Your tour will end with your safe delivery back to your hotel around 3 PM. 

Enjoy a gourmet tour of the Marlborough Region of New Zealand's South Island on an itinerary that can be customized to suit your interests. Visit wine cellars offering a variety of unique styles, and experience stunning landscapes that are a treat for the eyes.  Depart Picton at 9:30am and Blenheim at 10:00, and embark on a journey through the award-winning wines of the region. Meet the wine makers and exceptional hosts at wineries that stay open all year round for your convenience. Benefit from the services of a local chauffeur/guide with extensive knowledge of the region. Venture through the Wairau Valley, and fall in love with the wines as you experience new varietals. Get spectacular views of the rolling hills and see how they contrast with the vineyards, market gardens and farms. Stop for seasonal produce (December through February) of juicy strawberries, cherries, apricots and nectarines, along with local cheeses, oils, liqueurs, Manuka honey, peanut butter and black garlic. Make a special stop at the Makana Confections Boutique Chocolate Factory for some divine chocolate treats! As wine is the main attraction of the Marlborough Region (it's New Zealand's largest wine producer), you will want to taste the produce. Acclaimed for its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines, the region is also home to wineries that specialize in Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Viognier, Gruner Veltliner, Arneis and even Malbec wines. Relax in a picturesque winery garden café or at a chateau on the hill with magnificent views of the valley and vineyards. Enjoy a cheese, meat and seafood platter or tapas. Then, as you near the end of the day, benefit from beautiful views that create a perfect ambiance for a dinner with your favorite wine of the day. Get the chance to include a trip to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Center to see Peter Jackson's amazing displays of classic World War I and World War II aircraft and the most life-like scenic backdrops of the era. Your guide can drop you off at the center and continue with the rest of the group to return within 1-5 hours if you prefer. This would be the minimum time to really take advantage of the exhibition, and a café and memorabilia store are available for your comfort and convenience.

Discover two world-class aviation exhibitions at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. Explore the original "Knights of the Sky" exhibition, featuring Sir Peter Jackson's collection of WWI aircraft and artifacts. Learn about the story of aviation during the Great War, which is brought to life in sensational sets created by an internationally acclaimed production company and a special effects company. Make your way to the "Dangerous Skies" exhibition which features aviaton stories from World War II. Learn of tales of valor and tragedy from the British Isles, the forests of Germany, the defence of Russia, and the steaming hot jungles of South East Asia. Admire the two star attractions of the exhibition, the world's only flyable Mk1 Avro Anson, and a Griffon powered Mk.XIVe Spitfire.

Depart 1.00pm Picton / Return 5.30pm A lunch stop is not included in this tour so we do advise you have something to eat prior to joining us. We offer a complimentary pick-up from your central Blenheim or Picton accommodation and will return you thereafter. Flexibility is the key, and we can usually accommodate your requests. This tour is a great option if you are arriving by ferry and only have the arvo before you head back on the ferry or move on. Book your tour of the beautiful Marlborough region and its diverse wineries today! WANT TO MAKE A DAY OF IT? Want to enjoy a winery lunch before your wine tour? If you have a group - small or big - we'd love to pick you up early, take you to lunch and then on to your afternoon wine tour. Please call or email to arrange this option and discuss costs. We look forward to hearing from you.

Depart 10.00am Picton; 10.30am Blenheim Need a little longer to enjoy more of Marlborough’s best? Discover the full diversity of wine varieties this stunning region has to offer and learn the secrets behind fine wine appreciation. You will visit approximately five to six wineries. A winery lunch stop is included at your own cost. We offer a complimentary pick up from your central Picton or central Blenheim accommodation and will return you thereafter. Book your tour of the beautiful Marlborough region and its diverse wineries today!