Picton to Marlborough: Private Wine, Gourmet & Scenic Delights Tour
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; mostly vehicle-based with short walks at cellar doors and viewpoints.
Overview
Spend a private day sampling Marlborough’s famed wines, boutique chocolates and scenic bays on a custom tour from Picton. An experienced local chauffeur-guide tailors tastings, vineyard stops and cultural detours—think cellar doors, artisan producers and the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
Picton to Marlborough: Private Wine, Gourmet & Scenic Delights Tour
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The day begins with the harbor still, the morning sun scraping silver across Queen Charlotte Sound as your chauffeur-guide eases a six-seat vehicle through Picton's sleepy streets.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Book tastings in advance
Reserve cellar-door appointments if you want specific wineries—this private tour can be customized but small producers often limit groups.
Bring ID and pace tastings
Minimum drinking age is 18; bring identification and pace yourself—spitting is acceptable and encouraged to stay clear-headed for the whole day.
Layer up for coastal winds
Even on sunny days, the Marlborough Sounds can be cool and breezy—pack a light windproof layer for viewpoints and seaside stops.
Comfortable footwear for cellar doors
Many wineries have gravel, light slopes or farm tracks—wear shoes with traction for easy movement between tasting benches and vineyard rows.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Weka (curious native rail)
- Common dolphins in the Sounds during summer
History
Marlborough’s modern wine industry sprang up in the 1970s and became internationally known for sauvignon blanc in the 1980s, transforming the region’s agricultural identity.
Conservation
Many producers in Marlborough are adopting sustainable irrigation and organic practices to protect the region’s limited water resources and fragile coastal ecosystems.
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Adventure Hotspots in Picton
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Valid photo ID
Required for alcohol tastings and to comply with the local minimum drinking age.
Light windproof jacket
Protects against brisk coastal breezes on viewpoints and during outdoor tastings.
spring specific
Comfortable walking shoes
Useful for gravel cellar doors and short vineyard walks.
Small day pack
Carry water, a camera and any purchases from vineyards or artisans.
summer specific