Fun things to do in Marlborough

Due to limited time, we selected three Marlborough wineries, of which the second – Allan Scott – was the most aesthetically pleasing. The cellar door staff refunded our modest wine tasting fee after we elected to indulge in a bottle of Millstone Sauvignon Blanc 2008.

Standard of service was friendly and only slightly marred by the return of incorrect change, which no doubt was an innocent mistake on the part of the staff member.

Allan Scott’s Cellar Door is situated midway along Jacksons Road between Rapaura and Old Renwick Road, Blenheim. Open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.

The Marlborough Wine Region with more than 130 wineries is New Zealand's largest wine producing region turning out 79% of the country's total wine production. Sauvignon Blanc is the predominant wine style (65%) followed by Pinot Noir (13%), Chardonnay (10%) and Riesling (6%).

There is an excellent map of the Marlborough Wine Trail at http://www.wine-marlborough.co.nz/documents/MapSummer09smallfile_000.pdf

The Marlborough Wine Region with more than 130 wineries is New Zealand's largest wine producing region turning out 79% of the country's total wine production. Sauvignon Blanc is the predominant wine style (65%) followed by Pinot Noir (13%), Chardonnay (10%) and Riesling (6%).

There is an excellent map of the Marlborough Wine Trail at http://www.wine-marlborough.co.nz/documents/MapSummer09smallfile_000.pdf.

Due to limited time, we selected three wineries, of which the first – Saint Clair – turned out to be our favourite. Home of Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand’s most internationally awarded wine, we were particularly enamoured with Saint Clair’s 2008 Sauvignon Blanc.

Standard of service was good. An independent review in February and March 2009, bestowed Saint Clair with a bronze award in this regard.

Saint Clair’s Cellar Door is situated on the corner of Rapaura & Selmes Road, Blenheim, and open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. This earlier opening time suited us particularly well and is the ideal wine tour starting point if you have limited time.

These depart daily and private charter is available. Let The Sounds Connection guide you so you can have a relaxing day.

sure you have a fun, relaxed and informative day. All guides are wine lovers themselves and really enjoy sharing their knowledge

Operates - daily all year round

Full Day Wine Tour:

Departs 10.30am and returns 4.30pm - daily - all year round.

Discover the diversity of Marlborough's famous wine valley. You will visit approximately 6 - 7 venues. A winery lunch stop is included at your own cost. All tasting costs are included in the price

Cost: $69.00 per person.



Half Day Wine Tour:

Departs 1.30pm and returns 5.30pm - daily - all year round.

Immerse yourself in the heart of the vineyards. You will be collected and taken on a tour through Marlborough wine country. Visit approximately 4 - 5 venues, flexibility is the key, and we can usually accommodate your preference.

Cost: $55.00 per person.

Half Day Departs 1.30 p.m. Back 5.30 pm
Full Day Departs 10.30 am aprox 4.30 pm - 5.30 pm

There are numerous tracks around the Marlborough area - especially around Picton & the Marlborough Sounds. The Queen Charlotte track is very popular and can be accessed via boat from Picton as your start point.

There are a huge number of wineries in Marlborough. I have assessed a few on my Blenheim page so have a look there for details on each. Alan Scott is well worth a visit for both its wine & food so maybe a good start point.

back to the beaches, emty often only to share with a couple of seagull's,a flock of beautiful Tern's and the always present black head Shag....in the North Island the waters are warm, in the South fresh.around the Nelson Bay areas just perfect, enjoy!!

an exercise I love to watch, growing grapes thinking of wine. what a lovely drop they produce around here, white wine my favorite, Chardonnay actually. there are too many vinyards to mention, big ones, small ones..Boutique wine, costly so they are mostly exported. anyway..here is one, Oysterbay makes a great drop!

you can't escape it...only when you fly from the North to the South and vice versa. otherwise you have to take the Ferry from Wellington to Picton....and you are amongst it.this trip has been my first, when I arrived in NZL 1987, of course I have been back, forwards..backwards.
it was a very hot but georgous crossing through Cook Straight, right into the Marlborough Sound....have a look at my Souths Island page how calm the waters where...and so blue.