Waipara Valley Winery Tour: 5–6 Hours, 3 Tastings

Taste three award-winning wineries without driving or planning the stops

A 5–6 hour winery tour in Waipara Valley takes you to Pegasus Bay, Waipara Springs and Torlesse Wines with hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, and wine tastings at each stop. The tour includes gourmet food pairings and visits to boutique wineries known for Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Maximum group size is 16 travellers; minimum age to taste wine is 18, and photo ID is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Waipara Valley winery tastings and views

• Pickup from hotel in Christchurch
• Visit Pegasus Bay Winery for tasting
• Stroll Pegasus Bay gardens
• Visit Waipara Springs Winery for tasting
• Visit Torlesse Wines for tasting
• Optional vineyard tour at Torlesse Wines
• Enjoy winery platter lunch at Torlesse café
• Return to hotel in Christchurch

The Experience

Five to six hours covers three wineries, each with its own character. Pegasus Bay opens with a guided tasting of their premium vintages—Rieslings and Pinot Noirs among them—followed by a walk through landscaped gardens overlooking the estate. Waipara Springs, a family-owned boutique operation, welcomes you at the cellar door with handcrafted wines and stories about the vineyard's history. Torlesse Wines rounds out the day with a tasting of Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Gris, and you can add a locally inspired winery platter lunch at their on-site café if you want it.

Hotel pickup and drop-off bracket the day, so you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional English-speaking guide who handles the route and the timing. Bottled water and WiFi are on board. The guide leads the tastings and explains the winemaking process; an optional vineyard tour is available at Torlesse if you want to see how the wines are made. Should any of the named wineries be unavailable on the day, an alternative in the Waipara area replaces it.

Gourmet food pairings are part of the experience, and the guide can note any dietary requirements you mention at booking. Bring photo ID—a passport is recommended—to taste wine, as New Zealand requires proof of age (minimum 18). The group stays under 16 travellers, keeping the pace manageable and the cellar doors less crowded than they'd be on a larger tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• wine tastings at three wineries.
• gourmet food pairings.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water and WiFi on board.
• optional vineyard tour at Torlesse Wines.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ultimate New Zealand Tours Limited

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste wines across multiple wineries without driving yourself—the guide handles navigation and timing while you focus on the tastings.

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Top questions

What wines will I taste on the Waipara Valley tour?

Pegasus Bay pours their celebrated Rieslings and Pinot Noirs; Waipara Springs specializes in Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay; Torlesse Wines features Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Gris. Each winery offers a guided tasting of their signature vintages.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Gourmet food pairings are included at the wineries. At Torlesse Wines, you can choose to add a locally inspired winery platter lunch made with fresh regional produce; this is optional and arranged at the time of booking.

How does hotel pickup work?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in the area. You'll be collected in an air-conditioned vehicle with your guide and travel group, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to the wineries.

What happens if one of the named wineries isn't available?

Should Pegasus Bay, Waipara Springs or Torlesse Wines be unavailable on your travel date, an alternative winery in the Waipara Valley will be included in the itinerary instead, maintaining the same tasting experience and group size.

Do I need ID to taste wine?

Yes. New Zealand requires photo ID to taste wine, and you must be at least 18 years old. A passport is recommended, though any valid photo ID will work.

How many people will be on the tour?

The tour accommodates a maximum of 16 travellers, keeping the group small enough to move comfortably through each winery and cellar door without overwhelming the venues.