Private Wine Tour Blenheim: Marlborough Wineries & Scenic Stops

Five hours to taste Marlborough's award-winning wines without driving yourself

A private wine tour departing Blenheim at 11:00 am and returning at 4:00 pm, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. Your local guide, a winery owner, drives you through Marlborough's wine region to taste award-winning Sauvignon Blancs and other varieties, stop at artisan makers of greenstone jewellery and merino possum knitwear, and relax by the lake at a café with wine on tap. The itinerary is customized before you arrive to suit indoor or outdoor preferences.

Step-by-step itinerary

Winter wine and scenic delights tour

• Depart Blenheim at 11:00 am
• Visit chocolate tasting stop
• Enjoy wine tasting at Wairau Reserve
• Explore greenstone and paua jewellery
• Relax at family winery veranda
• Stop at icon cafe with lake views
• Return to Blenheim at 4:00 pm

The experience

How do you see Marlborough's wineries without renting a car or navigating unfamiliar roads? This private tour picks you up from your hotel and handles the driving while you taste. The region holds the record for the longest sunshine hours in New Zealand, and the tour is built around that: you'll spend time on a winery veranda overlooking a park with a pond, relax by the lake under umbrellas with views of the vineyards, or move between stops depending on what appeals to you that day. Your guide is a local winery owner with direct knowledge of the region and the producers you're visiting.

The stops themselves are not generic. You'll taste award-winning wines (Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc and bubbly are highlights, along with varieties like Albarino and Chenin Blanc) at a family-run winery where the daughter is the renowned winemaker. Between tastings, you'll visit a chocolatier known for Macadamia Butter Crunch, artisans hand-crafting greenstone and paua jewellery, and a lakeside spot that doubles as a café, quilters' barn and gourmet shop. Bottled water is included throughout the day. The itinerary is planned with you before arrival, so you can request vegetarian options or skip activities that don't interest you.

The tour runs year-round and suits all fitness levels. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles and facilities are available, and infants can travel in a pram or stroller. Some activities may require advance booking, though payment on the day is accepted. Note that food, drinks and lunch beyond what's at the café are not included in the tour price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private vehicle transport.
• wine tastings at local wineries.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• access to artisan stops including a greenstone jewellery maker and merino possum knitwear shop.
• time at a lakeside café with wine, beer and gin on tap.

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 included.

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-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Pamela March Trading As Your Local Chauffeur

Is this one for you?The five-hour window leaves the rest of your day free: morning activities before 11:00 am or evening plans after 4:00 pm are still possible. If you need a full-day immersion in the wine region or prefer to visit specific wineries at your own pace, a longer self-guided rental might suit you better.

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Top questions

What kind of wines will I taste on this Marlborough tour?

The tour includes tastings at a family-run winery specializing in Sauvignon Blanc, bubbly, Albarino, Chenin Blanc and other varieties. The Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is a signature wine, and you'll taste on the veranda overlooking their park setting with pond and trees.

Can I customize which stops we visit during the five hours?

Yes. Your guide works with you before arrival to plan an itinerary suited to your interests, whether you prefer indoor or outdoor stops, and which artisan makers, wineries or scenic spots appeal to you. The route is flexible within the five-hour window.

What's included in the price besides wine tasting?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, private vehicle transport, bottled water and wine tasting are included. Food and lunch are not included, though you can purchase meals and drinks at the lakeside café stop, which serves snacks, meals, wine, beer and gin.

Is this tour suitable if I don't drink alcohol?

The tour is centered on wine tasting, so it's designed primarily for wine drinkers. However, you can request a custom itinerary focused on the artisan stops, scenic views and café time instead. Let the operator know your preferences when you book.

What happens if the weather is bad during winter?

The tour operates year-round and includes both indoor and outdoor stops. Your guide will customize the itinerary to suit the day's conditions. You can spend more time at the winery veranda, the café, the quilters' barn or other covered spaces if needed.