Marlborough: Wine Tasting Afternoon Tour & Vineyard Lunch

Summary

Lunch among the vines, cellar doors and stories in Marlborough

You’ll taste Marlborough wines where they’re made, share lunch at an award-winning vineyard restaurant, visit two unique cellar doors with a local guide, and get picked up right from your Blenheim accommodation. Expect laughter, new flavors, and stories you’ll want to bring home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell — that clean, sharp green you only get in Marlborough when the sun’s out but there’s still dew on the grass. Our guide, Pete (I think he’s been doing this forever), pulled up right outside my little hotel in Blenheim. He had this easy way of talking about wine that made me feel less like a tourist and more like I’d somehow ended up on a friend’s afternoon out. We rolled through rows of vines so neat they almost looked fake, except for the odd bird darting between them.

Lunch was at a vineyard restaurant I’d never have picked myself. The menu was all local stuff — I went for the green-lipped mussels because Pete said you can’t really go wrong with those here. The sauvignon blanc they poured next to it tasted like grapefruit and something else I still can’t place. Maybe gooseberry? Anyway, it worked. There was a couple from Wellington at our table who kept laughing about how many bottles they could fit in their suitcase. The whole place felt relaxed, not rushed.

After lunch we hit two more cellar doors — both totally different vibes. One was sleek and modern, with big glass windows looking out over the hills; the other felt more old-school, a bit creaky but in a good way. At one point I tried to swirl my glass like I knew what I was doing and nearly sloshed wine onto my shirt (the host didn’t say anything but smiled). Pete explained how pruning works in winter — apparently it’s harder than it looks — and let us wander through the vines for a bit while he chatted with someone he knew behind the counter. Time moved slowly in that afternoon light, which is maybe why I still think about it sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour

• Be collected from accommodation
• Arrive at award-winning vineyard restaurant
• Enjoy wine tasting and lunch
• Visit second cellar door for wine tasting
• Visit third cellar door for wine tasting
• Learn about vineyard management (time permitting)
• Return to accommodation

Top questions

How long does the Marlborough wine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours in total.

Is lunch included in the price of the tour?

No, lunch is at your own cost on the day.

Are all wine tasting fees included?

Yes, all standard cellar door tasting experiences are included.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is from your advised accommodation in Central Blenheim, Marlborough.

Can children join this wine tour?

No, children are not allowed on this tour.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited fitness?

Yes, it is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Does the tour include transportation between vineyards?

Yes, air-conditioned vehicle transport is provided throughout the tour.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes pickup from your central Blenheim hotel by a local guide passionate about Marlborough’s wines and history; comfortable transport between vineyards; entry to three cellar door tastings; and plenty of time to relax over lunch at an award-winning vineyard restaurant before being dropped back at your accommodation.