New Zealand · BLENHEIM TOURS
Good blenheim tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Lorelle, Greg, and their team set you up with a comfortable step-through bike, map, helmet, wine panniers, and a short cellar-door video. Ride at your own pace between more than 12 Renwick wineries, order cheese platters, call for help if needed, and return by shuttle.
“Steve & Jo were fantastic! Don’t hesitate to book this self-guided tour. My wife’s favorite tour in NZ. Thank you, Marco”
Spend about six and a half hours visiting four to six Marlborough wineries with guides such as Darlene, Cameron, Amanda, or Maurice. Expect included tastings, a comfortable small-group van, a vineyard lunch stop at your own cost, and possible brewery, chocolate, and cellar visits.
“What a great way to spend the day getting to try multiple of Marlborough’s amazing vineyards. Our guide, Amanda was extremely knowledgeable which enhanced our experience. Highly recommend this tour as an easy and fun way to enjoy the wine region.”
Set out from The Vines Village with a comfortable bike, helmet, lock, and local wine map. Ride easy back roads to up to 12 wineries within 3 kilometers, stopping for tastings, food, and scenery. Hotel pickup and return from Blenheim or Renwick are included.
“a must do when in the area! the bikes were high quality and the vineyards were amazing 😍 highly recommend”
Start with a free Blenheim or Renwick pickup, then set off from The Vines Village on a standard bike, tandem, kids’ bike, or e-bike. Andy, Roo, or another Explore Marlborough team member provides a safety briefing, map, and winery tips before you choose your own cellar doors and lunch stops.
“The description on Viator says they have options available for e bikes and tandem bikes. They then charged $60NZD for an e-bike when we returned (no disclaimer when they gave me the bike) and said I was wrong about the description. A bitter ending to an otherwise wonderful day.”
Spend six hours with Jade Tours exploring Marlborough’s Wairau Valley in a small minibus. Guides such as Bruce, John, Marsley, and Mike lead tastings at boutique and major cellar doors, explain local winegrowing, stop for a vineyard lunch, and may finish at Makana Chocolate Factory.
“My partner and myself had a wonderful time with John. The tour consists of 5 wineries and each place has roughly 4-5 wines to taste at each. Was a fantastic time and the company was great. The value for money is really there and can whole heartily recommend it to anyone who wants a comprehensive picture of the local wines. John was very knowledgeable and provided great insight into the region.”
Spend four hours in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley with a local host such as Bill, Toni, Vic, or Kevin. Begin with a winery lunch at your own cost, then visit up to four cellar doors for tastings, vineyard views, and local wine stories. Pickup is available in central Blenheim.
“Toni was a great and knowledgeable tour leader. The tour was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative experience. It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.”
From Blenheim, you’ll visit several Marlborough cellar doors in a small group of up to 11. Guides such as Bruce and Mike tailor winery stops to your tastes, explain local wine-making, provide tastings, water, and snacks, then pause for lunch and handmade chocolates.
“My tour was originally booked with Jade Tours. Unfortunately, when I emailed to confirm pick up time I received a reply saying that due to a mechanical problem with the minibus the tour had been transferred to another company, Discovery Read more”
Spend 4.5 hours visiting three or four Marlborough wineries, with tasting fees, door-to-door pickup, and a lunch stop included. Your guide may add a brewery or chocolate shop, and guides such as Darlene, Maurice, and Cameron tailor the day to your interests.
“Booked our tour around 11pm the night before the tour, our guide picked us up promptly and then informed us we were to join another tour who had more people (as we were his only customers). This worked out well as we got to go to an eRead more”
Join Bruce, Mike, or Sue for a five-hour small-group tour through Marlborough’s vineyards. Visit up to five cellar doors, taste sauvignon blanc and other local wines, stop for a vineyard lunch, and finish with gourmet chocolate. Blenheim pickup and return are included.
“The tour operator knew his stuff and gave relevant information all day. The wineries we visited were top notch as well.”
From Picton, ride in a small minivan with a local guide such as Pamela, Larissa, Lisa, or Paul to Blenheim’s Marlborough wineries. Taste Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, low-alcohol wines, chocolate, and optional lunch, with port pickup and drop-off included.
“We were a group of 6 adults and did this tour from our ship Solstice in Jan 2019, we were met by our tour guide Lisa, who took us for a very informative tour of Blenheim and we did a wine tour visiting 3 wineries, which were the Saint Clair VineyRead more”
At Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre near Blenheim, you’ll explore both Knights of the Sky and Dangerous Skies at your own pace. Expect rare aircraft, lifelike WingNut Films and Weta Workshop scenes, readable history panels, and a powerful Battle of Stalingrad audiovisual display. Allow at least 90 minutes.
“Very good displays with a lot of information on the panels. Really good for aviation/war enthusiasts.”
Spend about 6.5 hours touring Marlborough’s vineyards and Queen Charlotte Sound. Visit two wineries, taste local wines, enjoy lunch and salmon or greenshell mussels, then cruise by boat. Hotel pickup is offered, with guides such as Heather, Matt, Pete, Sam, and Andrew praised for friendly local commentary.
“The wine tastings were interesting in that the presenters allowed us to taste wines from various areas owned by the winery. The presenters were knowledgeable and didn't try to sell us wine. The cruise toured the Sound, and we had a hearty meal of green lipped mussels and salmon.”
Join Jade Tours for a five-hour small-group trip through Marlborough’s vineyards. Guides such as Mike, Bruce, Sue, Jade, and Lucinda share local wine insight, arrange five tastings, include a vineyard walk and chocolate stop, and return you to Blenheim around 3 PM.
“Mike was excellent, very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!”
Spend four hours touring Marlborough’s wine country from Blenheim, with tastings at three established and boutique wineries. Your English-speaking guide, such as Bruce, Jim, Stephen, or Maureen, explains the wines, vineyards, and local story. Tastings vary, and food is extra.
“I went with my mother: the staff were amazing! We also went to the wrong pick up spot and they came to get us. Great service”
Spend six hours with guides such as Chris or Bill visiting Marlborough’s family-run and boutique wineries. Taste sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, reserve, single-block, and late-harvest wines, with standard tasting fees and Blenheim accommodation transfers included. Lunch is separate.
“Chris is extremely knowledgeable and clearly enjoys sharing that knowledge about this beautiful part of New Zealand and its fabulous wines. An excellent guide tour and lunch. I recommend joining Chris on his tour. It will be another great New Zealand experience well worth doing Thank you Chris”
Pick a coastline, a crater rim or a cellar door.
