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Spend two hours behind the scenes at Tūpari Rā in Seddon with winemaker Glenn Thomas or Olivia Doonan. This private tasting pairs canopy-to-glass conversation with canapé matches served in Essenca glassware—perfect for curious wine travelers.
Spend two hours behind the scenes at Tūpari Rā in Seddon with winemaker Glenn Thomas or Olivia Doonan. This private tasting pairs canopy-to-glass conversation with canapé matches served in Essenca glassware—perfect for curious wine travelers.
Book with Tūpari Wines
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Tūpari Wines · Seddon, Marlborough Region
On a quiet backstreet in Seddon, Marlborough Region, Tūpari Rā opens a rare window into New Zealand winemaking. Located at 8 Mills Street Seddon 7210 New Zealand, this intimate, two-hour Private Winemaker Experience is led by pioneering winemaker Glenn Thomas or GM Olivia Doonan. The tour pairs hands-on vineyard insight with a canapé-matched tasting served in Essenca stemware, turning familiar varietals into a focused tasting of place.
The meeting point at 8 Mills Street puts you at the edge of vines that stretch across free-draining alluvial gravels and sunbaked clay—soils that shape the crisp acidity and bright aromatics Marlborough is known for. Walking through neat rows you’ll notice the region’s strong sunlight and cool nights that drive sugar-acid balance, and the gusting coastal breezes that help keep disease pressure low. Tūpari Rā’s approach is pragmatic and plant-forward: expect conversations about pruning, canopy management, and how micro-sites within a single block produce different flavor lines.
The experience keeps groups small—maximum eight people—so questions are part of the program. Glenn and Olivia weave science and sensory work, explaining fermentation choices, barrel selection and the decisions that separate a good vintage from a distinctive one. That behind-the-scenes access is the trip’s standout feature: this is not a tasting room replay of tasting notes, it’s a guided lab and tasting table rolled into one.
The tasting portion is deliberately refined. Canapés are paired to demonstrate texture and palate-cleansing contrasts; wines are poured in Essenca glasses designed to heighten aromatics and deliver a precise sip every time. For travelers who make time to understand place, the pairing elevates the wines into a comparative study of tannin, acid and minerality—attributes driven by Marlborough’s geology.
Practical details make the visit easy to plan: the experience runs about two hours, requires a minimum age of 18, and is private by design. Wear sturdy shoes for the vineyard walk, bring a jacket for coastal breezes, and save space in your day for a local lunch afterward—Seddon’s compact center has a few cafés and produce stalls worth exploring.
For anyone who wants to move beyond tasting-room platitudes, Tūpari Rā’s Private Winemaker Experience offers clarity: a short, focused tour that ties vine to glass, taught by the people who make the decisions. It’s the sort of close-up that changes how you read a label.
Bookings are limited and often fill quickly during harvest and summer weekends, so reserve in advance through the provided booking link. The visit pairs easily with a day circuit around Marlborough — Blenheim is a short drive north and coastal fishing villages lie to the east, making Tūpari Rā a convenient stop for travelers sampling producers. Expect to leave with tasting notes that explain why these wines carry signatures.
Meet at 8 Mills Street Seddon 7210 New Zealand—the address is the official meeting point listed for the tour.
Yes. The experience concludes with a canapé-matched tasting of the Tūpari wine range served in Essenca glasses.
Participants must be 18 or older to join the tasting and vineyard tour.
This private experience is limited to a maximum of eight people to keep the visit intimate and interactive.
Accessibility details are not provided in the listing; contact the operator directly to discuss accommodations before booking.
Cancellation and change policies are handled by the operator; check the booking link or contact them directly for the current terms.
Tūpari Wines is a boutique Marlborough winery based in Seddon in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand. The business offers a range of guided and private wine experiences that showcase Awatere Valley terroir, local hospitality, and handcrafted wines. Experiences include a Private Farm & Vineyard Tour with morning tea, a sheepdog demonstration, vineyard walks, and a three‑course lunch with tastings; multiple Station tasting options hosted at the historic Seddon Railway Station including platter tastings, guided wine tastings, and a High Tea with a twist; a Private Winemaker Experience at the Tūpari Rā vineyard with winemakers Glenn Thomas or Olivia Doonan that explores viticulture and tasting in the world’s finest glasses; and seasonal Tūpari Locals Sessions such as Love Thy Curry Night featuring matched wines and three courses. Each experience focuses on storytelling about local landscapes and winemaking practices, combining food pairings, curated wine flights, and intimate settings. The use of the Seddon Railway Station for several tastings adds historical character to the offerings, while on‑vineyard events provide direct insight into site-specific viticulture at Tūpari Rā. Tastings range from focused four‑wine flights to extended eight‑wine platters paired with gourmet local produce. Tūpari Wines is positioned for visitors seeking authentic Marlborough wine experiences that blend rural charm, guided expertise from named winemakers, and thoughtfully paired food. Experiences vary seasonally with dates and menus reflecting local produce. Private experiences are tailored for small groups, couples, and visitors seeking vineyard education.
Book with Tūpari Wines