Marlborough Wine Tour from Picton: Tastings with Guide

Taste Marlborough's flagship Sauvignon Blancs and gourmet stops across the Wairau Valley

A private wine tour departing Picton at 9:45am and returning at 4:00pm takes you through Marlborough's vineyards with a local guide, including wine tastings at multiple cellar doors and stops for gourmet treats. Your itinerary is custom-made before arrival to match your interests, and you can extend to a full day if you choose. All wine tasting fees are included. Lunch is at your cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Winter wine tasting and scenic tour

• Depart Picton at 9:45am
• Travel through Wairau Valley
• Visit family-owned vineyards
• Taste award-winning wines
• Sample local gourmet oils and treats
• Stop at Makana Chocolate Boutique
• Chat with market farmers (seasonal)
• Enjoy scenic views from vantage points
• Wine tasting at Whitehaven and Roots Gin
• Lunch at winery cafe or restaurant (own cost)
• Discover flagship wines tasting experience
• Return to Picton by 4:00pm

The experience

The tour runs 5.5 hours and moves at your pace through the Wairau Valley, where your guide, a local vineyard owner, steers you toward the award-winning Sauvignon Blancs that put Marlborough on the global map, plus Rieslings, Viogniers and other varietals. You'll stop at multiple cellar doors for tastings, sit among the vineyards or overlook the lake and hills, and chat with the passionate staff who know the individual stories of the family-owned operations. Between December and February, roadside produce stands sell strawberries, raspberries, cherries and stone fruits if you want to stop.

The gourmet side is built in: tastings of local oils, liqueurs, cheeses, special peanut butters and garlic noir, plus a stop at Makana Chocolate Boutique Confections. You'll find lunch options at the winery cafes and restaurants you visit, where the local mussels and salmon pair with the wines you've tasted. Bottled water is provided throughout the day. Because the itinerary is custom-made once you confirm your booking, you can request specific vineyards, activities or dietary needs in advance.

Marlborough holds the record for the longest sunshine hours in New Zealand, so even in winter the light stays strong and the snowy mountain tops are visible in the distance. If you want to stay longer than the standard half-day, you can extend to a full day for an additional fee.

What’s included

• Wine tastings at multiple cellar doors.
• bottled water.
• transportation with a local guide.
• custom itinerary planned before arrival to match your interests.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Pamela March Trading As Your Local Chauffeur

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to taste Marlborough's award-winning wines at your own pace with someone who owns a vineyard and knows the region's story. The private format means your guide can adjust the stops and timing to suit what interests you most, and you can extend to a full day if the morning goes well.

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Top questions

Can I extend this tour to a full day if I want to visit more wineries?

Yes, you can stay on for the full day for a little extra cost beyond the standard half-day rate. The choice is yours once you see how the morning unfolds.

What wines will I taste on this tour?

Marlborough's Sauvignon Blanc is the flagship, and you'll taste it at multiple cellar doors. The tour also includes tastings of Riesling, Viognier and other varietals, plus options to try Roots Gin and Beer at some stops.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is at your cost, but all wine tasting fees are included. You'll stop at winery cafes and restaurants where you can order from their menus.

What happens if I have dietary requirements or specific vineyard preferences?

Your itinerary is custom-made before you arrive once you confirm your booking. Let the operator know if you need a vegetarian option or want to visit particular wineries, and your guide will plan accordingly.

What's included in the tour price?

Wine tastings at multiple cellar doors and bottled water throughout the day are included. Your local guide, transportation in comfort and the custom itinerary are also part of the booking.