Marlborough Wine Day: A Culinary Tour of Sauvignon Blanc and Boutique Cellar Doors
Spend a sunlit day across Marlborough’s gravel terraces, tasting world-class Sauvignon Blanc and dining at vineyard restaurants. This six-hour guided tour combines cellar-door access to family estates with practical tips for tasting and buying local bottlings.
The Experience
Before You Go
Arrange safe transport
Book the operator’s pickup or designate a sober driver—tastings are included and you’ll sample multiple wines over six hours.
Budget for lunch and bottles
Tastings are covered, but lunch and wine purchases are extra—plan NZD for a vineyard meal and any special bottles you want to take home.
Layer for wind and sun
Marlborough can be sunny and breezy; bring a light windbreaker plus sunscreen for outdoor tastings on lawns or lookouts.
Ask about cellar-door access
If you care about small-lot wines, request boutique or family-owned stops when booking—the tour emphasizes quality over quantity.
Local Knowledge
Hidden Gems
- •Morning mist on the Wairau River terraces—great for a quiet photo stop before the first tasting
- •A small family cellar door that opens its barrel room by appointment for intimate single-vineyard pours
Wildlife
- •Fantail (pīwakawaka) flitting through vineyard shelterbelts
- •Bellbird (korimako) and occasional harrier cruising the plains
Conservation Note
Many Marlborough estates practice sustainable water management and integrated pest control; visitors can support these efforts by buying local, organic or certified wines and following winery guidance on waste and packaging.
Commercial viticulture in Marlborough grew rapidly from the 1970s; by the 1990s Sauvignon Blanc established the region internationally, though family-run plots remain central to its identity.
Photographer's Notes
- • Wairau River terraces looking across the vineyard rows
- • Vineyard restaurant lawn with cellar door architecture in the background
- • A cellar-floor tasting room during a guided pour
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoesEssential
Gravel, farm lanes and cellar steps make stable shoes useful between stops.
Light windbreakerEssential
Protects against coastal gusts and morning chills during outdoor tastings.
Reusable water bottleEssential
Staying hydrated aids tasting clarity and counters alcohol’s dehydrating effects.
Small cooler bag
Keeps purchased bottles stable in transit and protects against heat.
Common Questions
Are tastings included in the tour price?
Yes—standard cellar door tasting fees are included; lunch and any bottle purchases are extra.
Is pickup available from my hotel?
Yes—the operator offers pickup and drop-off from a wide range of accommodations in the Blenheim area; confirm your pickup point when booking.
What is the minimum drinking age?
Minimum age for participants is 18; service animals are allowed.
Can I buy wines at the cellar doors?
Most wineries sell bottles on-site and can pack them for travel; small-lot releases may require early booking or limit purchases.
Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?
The tour is classified as physically easy, but some cellar doors have stairs and uneven ground—notify the operator of any mobility needs in advance.
What should I wear?
Casual smart—comfortable shoes for farm surfaces, a lightweight jacket for wind, and sunscreen for exposed tasting areas.
Book This Experience
Check AvailabilityDuration
6 hours
Location
Blenheim, Marlborough
Difficulty
easy
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; involves short walks, stairs at cellar doors, and standing during tastings.
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