Spend a day tasting Marlborough’s famed Sauvignon Blancs, exploring boutique cellar doors and enjoying a vineyard lunch. This full-day tour pairs geology, winemaking insight and local cuisine for a practical—and delicious—introduction to the region.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
By mid-morning the Wairau Valley opens like a green map: vines run in neat, sun-bright lines toward distant hills, and the air smells of cut grass and citrus—the first note in a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. You step off a small coach onto a gravel drive framed by espaliered rows and the low hum of cellar-door conversation. A guide offers a tasting flight; glasses click. With every sip the region’s geology and human craft reveal themselves—minerality from free-draining alluvial soils, the bite of cool evenings, and decades of experimentation in barrels and bottle.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Light activity; suitable for most fitness levels with short walks on gravel and steps into tasting rooms
Wildlife
History
Marlborough evolved from pastoral runs to a viticultural powerhouse in the late 20th century when Sauvignon Blanc trials unlocked a global market for the region.
Conservation
Many Marlborough producers practice sustainable viticulture, covering cover-cropping, reduced-spray regimes and water-efficient irrigation to protect soils and local waterways.
Reserve your spot on the Marlborough Winery Tour - A Day of Cuisine & Wine 6hrs today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Pace your tasting
Sip slowly and ask for small pours; palate fatigue sets in quickly—alternate with water and light snacks between flights.
Confirm pickup details
Provide your accommodation and preferred pickup time when booking to avoid last-minute delays.
Designated driver or transfer
Plan for transport—book the included pickup/drop-off or designate a sober driver; public transport options are limited between vineyards.
Bring buying cash or card
Many cellar doors accept cards, but some small producers prefer cash or have limited EFTPOS.
Comfortable closed-toe shoes
Gravel drives and tasting-room steps make supportive shoes a smart choice.
Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated between tastings keeps your palate fresh and energy steady.
Light layers and windbreaker
Mornings can be cool and afternoons warm—layers help you adjust on vineyard terraces.
spring
Sunscreen and hat
Exposure on open vineyard rows is high; sun protection prevents a burnt back and ruined day.
summer