Bay of Islands Wine & Craft Beer Tour with Lunch

Three wineries and a brewery in one afternoon, each one run by people who know their craft.

A four-hour tasting tour through the Bay of Islands wine region, visiting Marsden Estate for a guided wine tasting and shared platter lunch in a courtyard overlooking the lake, then Sovrano Estate for a cellar door tasting of Italian-influenced wines and liqueurs, and finally PhatHouse Brewing Co. for a sampling of unfiltered, unpasteurised craft beer brewed on-site. A live English-speaking guide leads the group. Minimum age is 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wine, food, and craft beer tasting

• Visit Marsden Estate winery
• Enjoy wine tasting and platter lunch
• Go to Sovrano Estate cellar door
• Sample wines and learn family history
• Stop at PhatHouse Brewing Co.
• Sample up to four craft beers

The experience

The afternoon starts at Marsden Estate, a winery founded thirty years ago by the McIvor family. You settle into the courtyard overlooking the lake and vines, where you taste six wines paired with a generous shared platter of local food. The relaxed atmosphere and the view set the pace for the rest of the day. This is not a rushed tasting but a meal built around the wine.

From there, the air-conditioned vehicle takes you to Sovrano Estate in Kerikeri, a cellar door experience founded in 2015 by Caroline and Rob. The staff walk you through tastings of their latest release wines and liqueurs while explaining the family history that traces back to Sicily and northern Italy. The Italian character runs through everything here, from the wines themselves to the way the tasting unfolds.

The final stop is PhatHouse Brewing Co. near Haruru Falls, a completely different atmosphere: a relaxed, welcoming brewery where every beer is brewed on-site using natural ingredients, unfiltered and preservative-free. You sample up to four beers of your choice. The shift from wine to craft beer, and from formal tasting rooms to a working brewery, gives the afternoon a shape that holds together.

What’s included

• Lunch at Marsden Estate.
• six wine tastings at Marsden Estate and a tasting of wines and liqueurs at Sovrano Estate.
• up to four craft beer samples at PhatHouse Brewing Co.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• live English-speaking guide throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SundayDeparts at 13:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 95 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 11

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Mullarkey Tours Limited

Is this one for you?Book this if you want three tastings across different producers in one afternoon. A shared vehicle handles the stops so you can focus on wine and beer rather than driving between them.

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Top questions

What exactly do I taste at Marsden Estate?

Marsden Estate offers six wine tastings paired with a generous shared platter lunch in the courtyard overlooking the lake and vines. The platter features a selection of local flavours and is included in the tour.

What is Sovrano Estate like?

Sovrano Estate is a cellar door experience founded in 2015 by Caroline and Rob, whose family roots trace back to Sicily and northern Italy. The staff guide you through tastings of their latest release wines and liqueurs and share the family history from Italy to the Bay of Islands.

How many beers can I sample at PhatHouse Brewing Co.?

You can sample up to four different beers of your choice at PhatHouse Brewing Co. All beers are brewed on-site using natural ingredients, unfiltered, unpasteurised and preservative-free.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and service animals are allowed.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes lunch at Marsden Estate, all wine and beer tastings at each stop, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a live English-speaking guide.