Frequently Asked Questions

November through to April is peak season, when the weather is warm, the vines are full, and the cellar doors are at their best. Harvest happens in March and April, which is a particularly special time to visit. That said, Marlborough has some of the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand, so you can have a brilliant day out almost any time of year. Outside of peak season, things are quieter and you’ll often get more personal attention at the cellar door.

Yes, in the peak season (November – May) we run tours seven days a week and can often accommodate bookings with short notice. For the Deluxe Private Full Day tours, a little more lead time helps us tailor the day properly. If you’re booking for a large group, get in touch as early as you can so we can make sure everything is ready.

Self guided tours are avaliable to book 7 days a week 365 days a year.

Cancellation Policy for Self-Guided Tours

• Bookings cancelled within 24 hours of the booking will receive no refund.
• Please note we do not offer a wet weather contingency for Self-Guided Tours but we suggest you head out anyway. There are 6 winery cellar doors within 1.5 km of our base so you can still have a great day of wine tasting with short dashes between the cellar doors.

Cancellation Policy for Guided Tours

• Bookings cancelled within 48 hours of the booking will receive no refund.
• If it is raining on the day of your Guided Biking Wine Tour we will endeavour to switch you to a Driving Wine Tour. If this is not possible will a refund of your booking will be made, less any credit card fees.

Not something you’ll need to worry about often. Marlborough has some of the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand. But if the weather does turn on the day of a guided biking tour, we’ll switch you to a driving wine tour at no extra cost so your day isn’t wasted. If a switch isn’t possible, you’ll receive a full refund.

For self guided tours, you may switch days completely for free. Just let us know at least 1 hour before start time.

Yes, free pick-up and drop-off is included from accommodation in central Blenheim, Renwick, and Spring Creek on most tours. Pick-up from outside these areas may be possible but will incur an additional charge and is subject to availability. Standard pick-up time is 9:30am, 10:30am, though this may vary during different seasons.

10am in the low season (May-September)

9:30am & 10:30am in the peak season (October-April)

Yes, though Picton falls outside our standard pick-up zone. Get in touch on [email protected] or call 0800 397627 (local) or +64 21 846607 (overseas) and we’ll sort something out. If you’re arriving on a cruise ship, our dedicated Cruise Excursion Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour includes a pick-up and drop-off directly from the ship.

Marlborough is at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. From Wellington, the most popular way to get here is the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry to Picton, which takes around three hours. From Picton it’s a 30-minute drive to Blenheim. You can also fly direct to Marlborough Airport from Wellington, Auckland, or Christchurch in under an hour.

The heart of Marlborough wine country is centred around Rapaura Road and the Golden Mile, roughly 10-15 minutes from central Blenheim by bike or car. Our base at The Vines Village is on Rapaura Road, and we offer free pick-up from Blenheim, Renwick, and Spring Creek accommodation on most tours.

Yes, solo travellers are very welcome on all tours. On our guided tours you’ll join a small group with a maximum of eight people, it’s a great way to meet fellow visitors to the region. A solo surcharge applies to the Deluxe Private Full Day tours (equivalent to two adult places) as these are private experiences. For solo travellers on a budget, the half-day guided tour at NZ$155 is the best entry point.

Yes, we cater for groups of all sizes. We can accommodate parties of 20 or more. Most Marlborough cellar doors can host up to 20 people at one time, so for larger groups we may split into smaller parties to keep the experience enjoyable for everyone. Get in touch directly for large group bookings and we’ll put together an itinerary that works.

Absolutely. The terrain is flat, the pace is relaxed, and the routes stick to bike paths and quiet country roads wherever possible. Most of our guests come from cities where they don’t ride regularly and they handle it comfortably. If you’d like a bit of extra help, e-bikes are available on all tours.

On a half-day guided tour you’ll cover around 4-6km. On a full-day tour the distance is typically around 10km, though we always adjust the route to suit the fitness and skill level of the group. None of the riding is strenuous.

On a self guided tour that is completely up to you, we have over a dozen cellar doors within 3km riding distance.

For adults we have comfortable recreational step-through bikes with baskets, e-bikes for those who want to cover more ground with less effort, and tandems if you’re feeling adventurous. For kids we have children’s bikes (ages 8-12), tag-alongs (ages 3-7), trailers (under 5s), and baby seats (under 4s).

Comfortable, casual clothing works well. Flat shoes are easier than heels on a bike, and an extra layer is a good idea in case of a bit of wind. If you’re visiting in summer, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must, the Marlborough sun is strong. Helmets are provided with every hire.

You can leave it at the winery with your name on it, let us know, and we’ll pick it up and have it waiting for you at our base at the end of the day.

It depends on the tour. On the half-day guided tour you’ll visit three boutique Marlborough wineries. On the Deluxe Private Full Day you choose the wineries yourself, or we’ll curate the day based on your tastes. If there’s a specific winery you’d like to visit, let us know in advance and we’ll do our best to include it.

Marlborough is world-famous for Sauvignon Blanc, and you’ll almost certainly taste a few excellent examples. But the region produces far more than that, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, and traditional-method sparkling wines are all made here to a high standard. On a guided tour your guide can help you find the styles that suit your palate best.

Not at all. Our guides love sharing what they know, and the cellar door teams are always happy to explain what’s in your glass. Whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or just starting to explore, you’ll get plenty out of the day.

Yes, kids are welcome on all tours. We have a full range of children’s bike options to suit every age. They don’t need to be wine drinkers to enjoy the day, the vineyard scenery and the experience more than make up for it.

Several do. Cloudy Bay, Allan Scott, Wither Hills, Saint Clair, and Wairau River all have restaurants or cafes on site. For accommodation, The Marlborough hotel is set on a working vineyard estate, and St Leonards Vineyard Cottage is located nearby. We can help you plan a full itinerary around food, wine, and where to stay if you’d like recommendations.

For instant answers to tough questions please message Harry in the bottom right corner.

Alternatively you can head to our Contact Us Page and fill out our form. We aim to reply to all form enquiries within 24 hours.

List of INCLUDED pick up locations within the Blenheim, Renwick and Spring Creek Areas:
14th Lane Urban Hotel
171 On High Motel
Aldan Lodge Motel
Anglesea House Inn
Annie’s BnB at 7C
Antares Homestay
Ashleigh Court Motel
Aston Court Motor Lodge Blenheim
Bella Vista Motel Blenheim
Bella Vista Motel Blenheim
Blennheim Bridges Holiday Park
Blennheim Spa Motor Lodge
Bonniebrook
Broadway Motel
Central Blenheim Retreat
Chateau Marlborough
Cherylea Motel
Clovelly Homestay
Distillers Cottage (Vines Village)
Ellena Court Motel
Grove Park Motor Lodge
Harbour View Motel
Jasmine Court Motel
Knightsbridge Court Motor Lodge
Lugano Motor Lodge
Middle Park Motel
Misty River Retreat
Montana Lodge Motel
Olde Mill House B & B & Cycle Hire
Olive Tree Villa
Riverside Hotel Marlborough
Scenic Hotel Marlborough
Spring Creek
Spring Creek Motels
Spring Creek Holiday Park
St Leonards Vineyard Cottages
The Cellar Door – Blenheim Holiday Home
The Hibiscus
The Marlborough
The Peppertree Luxury Accommodation
Waterfront Motels
Woodbourne Tavern & Motel

Please email us if you do not see your pick up point here and believe you fall within the pick up zone and we will endevour to arrange something for you.

List of EXCLUDED pick up locations, outside the Blenheim, Renwick and Spring Creek areas. Please get in touch for a quote if you are interested in transport from one of these locations:
Cable Bay
Canvastown
Havelock
Hawkesbury
Hira
Marlborough Wine Barrel Cabins
Nelson
Nelson Lakes
Pelorus Bridge
Picton (unless you are on the Cruise Excursion Tour)
Rai Valley
Seddon
Whites Bay
Rarangi
Taylor Dam
Kiwi Camp Riverlands

Most likely we are not far away. Just give us a call on +64 21 846607 (Overseas & Whatsapp) or 0800 397627 (local) and we’ll make sure your sorted. Our team is on the road early and will always do their best to keep things running on time, but if something unexpected comes up we want to hear from you as soon as possible so we can help.