Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour: Local Guide & Pickup Included

Summary

Afternoon wine tasting in Marlborough with local guide pickup

You’ll join a small group for an afternoon exploring Marlborough’s vineyards with a local guide who knows everyone by name. Taste wines at three or four different wineries near Blenheim (no lunch included), hear stories from winemakers themselves, and enjoy easy hotel pickup and drop-off. It’s relaxed, welcoming, and leaves you with that warm afterglow only good wine brings.

What’s the experience like?

"You ever tried a sauvignon blanc straight from the source?" our guide, Pete, grinned as he handed me my first glass. We’d just rolled up to the first winery outside Blenheim — the air smelled faintly of crushed grass and something sweet I couldn’t place. The drive out was short, maybe fifteen minutes, but it felt like we’d left town hours ago. Rows and rows of vines, all that green under a sky that can’t decide if it’s going to rain or not. Pete had this way of telling stories about the region — not too much, just enough so you felt like you were in on something.

I didn’t realize how different each stop would be. One place was all polished wood and quiet chatter; another had a dog snoozing by the door and an older woman pouring pinot gris who winked when she caught me swirling it wrong. She told us about her family’s vineyard — apparently her dad planted the first vines back when everyone thought it was a weird idea. The wine tasting wasn’t rushed at all, which I liked. No pressure to buy anything either, just time to actually taste and ask questions (I asked too many about the soil, probably). The main keyword here is definitely “wine tour from Blenheim,” but honestly it felt more like hanging out than being on a tour.

There’s no lunch included on this half-day trip — Pete warned us at pickup to eat beforehand (“trust me, you’ll thank me later”). He was right. By the third winery I could feel the sun coming out for real and someone started laughing about how none of us could pronounce “Gewürztraminer.” I still think about that view from the last stop: vines stretching out forever with mountains in the distance, everything kind of golden for a second before clouds rolled back in. We headed home mellow and just a little tipsy — dropped off right at our hotel door.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Afternoon wine tour in Marlborough

• Be collected from Blenheim
• Visit 3 to 4 wineries
• Enjoy wine tastings at each winery
• Learn about Marlborough wine styles

Top questions

How long is the wine tour from Blenheim?

The tour lasts for half a day in the afternoon.

Is lunch included on this Marlborough wine tour?

No, lunch is not included so it's best to eat before joining.

How many wineries do we visit on this day trip?

You will visit approximately 3 to 4 wineries during the tour.

Does this wine tasting tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Blenheim.

Are children allowed on this Marlborough wine tour?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult.

What is the minimum drinking age for this tour?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years old.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Blenheim, guided visits to three or four local wineries with plenty of tastings along the way, plus stories from your local driver-guide who really knows Marlborough’s wine scene inside out.