If you are thirsty for knowledge… or thirsty for wine, let the specialists in the industry open doors to areas you cannot access without a winemaker, such as behind the scenes to sample wine direct from the barrel. Whether you know everything, nothing, or nothing about wine, this trip will leave you satisfied.
Hop ‘N’ grape excursions are ideal for guests desiring a terrific day out, as they include a behind-the-scenes tour of some fairly incredible wineries, as well as the opportunity to sample premium microbreweries. This trip is apart from others in that you will study the technique of winemaking and the many soil types that distinguish the distinctive Marlborough wines.
On this taste of Marlborough wineries, you will get to sample world-renowned Marlborough Sauv Blanc, Pinot Noir, Aromatics, and Methode Traditionelle wines, among others. Hop ‘N’ grape tours provide a very personalised experience that is fun, flexible, and informative, maximising your time in Marlborough.
Price: $195 per person
Pick up Time: 10:00 am
Duration: 6 Hours
With a winemaker as your guide, you get an up-close view at the winemaking process, while your winemaker educates your mind and palate from the vineyard to the bottle! Exclusive to Hop ‘n Grape, we venture beyond the cellar door so that you may taste the finest brews directly from the barrel. You may ask all those difficult questions so you can wow your friends back home with your knowledge of New Zealand wine. Our full-day trip begins with a look behind the scenes at a contemporary winery. You will either taste freshly pressed grape juice, a young Pinot Noir from the barrel, or a recently filtered Sauvignon Blanc.
Next, we’ll go up up and personal with the Marlborough wine area and sample any unfettered delicacy. In our full-day trip, we visit 4-6 wineries, which may include local breweries; with over 40 cellar doors to pick from, we’ll try our best to bring you to your favourite. Lunch at a restaurant in a vineyard is usually a delight. It is possible to partake in a Cheese tasting, an Olive oil tasting, or a visit to the Makana Chocolate Shop.
Price: From $495 two persons
Pick up Time: 10:00 am (optional start time)
Duration: 6 Hours
For those who demand the best! This is a premium, all-inclusive group trip experience.
The trip includes a vineyard walk and discussion to explain the annual growth cycle, as well as an explanation of viticulture, terroir, and harvest, as well as the opportunity to sample grapes directly off the vine.
You will then be taken on an exclusive tour to Mount Riley Winery, where you will have the opportunity to sample grape juice straight from the press, a young Pinot Noir from the barrel, or a newly filtered Sauvignon Blanc. A private tasting of Mount Riley’s wine selection, presented by your winemaker guide, will educate your head and taste before going to some of the greatest vineyards in the Marlborough wine region for “advanced tastings”
This tour’s lunch is a highlight, as you indulge in a three-course gourmet meal paired with wine at one of the renowned Marlborough vineyards.
Due to health and safety concerns, full access to the operating winery may not be accessible between March and April, during the busy harvest season. During this period, we see the winery at work from a safe distance.
Price: From $1400 for 2 people price varies by size of group (group of 10 $2200)
Pick up Time: 10:00 am (optional start time)
Duration: 7 Hours
Let our winemaker tailor a Marlborough wine tour especially for you or your group’s needs… or let us surprise you with something special! You decide the start and finish time of the tour. Visit your favourite wineries without having to compromise with others in the group.
You can get behind the scenes for a private tasting, or journey through historic buildings and vineyards, experience a native falcon encounter, or take a drive through the Awatere Valley and soak up Marlborough’s stunning scenery. We can focus on boutique, or organic wineries, breweries, combine fine wine and food… anything is possible with a private tour.
This option is recommended for larger groups or families with children under the age of 12. We can visit wineries more suited to young families to keep everyone happy.
If you are arriving on a cruise ship to Picton we can arrange a tour that works around your ship’s schedule.
Good on ya mate! Marlborough is the home of just a handful of breweries, but they just happen to be ultra-premium, hand-crafted, and award winning beers and ciders!
These include, Moa, Renaissance, & 8 Wired. We can visit a local boutique brewery, a local pub with an immense amount of history, or the largest collection of barrel aged beers in the southern Hemisphere. There are over 20 tap beers to choose from!
Book now to avoid disappointment as we are a small company
with only spaces for 11 lucky folks and we always fill up quickly!