Cruise Ship-Days Marlborough Wine and Beer Tour

STOPS

Have a close look at all the stops below as a lot of them require bookings in advance. We have attached all their contact details for you. We always recommend pre booking lunch. We would also recommend pre booking some tastings if touring with us on the weekend.

Groups of 8 or more are welcome on our tours but please call us on 0800 6937 2273 and let us know which wineries you have booked. This is due to logistics and numbers in our buses. We advise larger groups to pre book tastings in order to avoid disappointment.

1. Fidelio Cafe and Wine bar (021 190 6299)
Open 7 days 10am – 10pm

An European-style café & wine bar featuring a comprehensive wine list, quality coffee, live music and French pastries.

 

2. Blue Penguin Gifts (sales@bluepenguingifts.co.nz)
Opening hours: 9am – 5pm (except Sundays they open at 10am)

A proudly locally owned and operated store, Blue Penguin New Zealand Gifts is based in Blenheim. They stock a wide range of quality gifts including New Zealand-made jewellery, hand-crafted right here in the shop studio.

 

3.  Town Stop – Seymour Square
Only two minutes walk from Blenheim’s town centre, the premier park, Seymour Square, is a picturesque park of carefully tended floral gardens, a 16.5 m high historic stone clock tower and a memorial fountain, which offers a spectacular multi-coloured display at night. Subtle lighting of significant features and soft bollard lighting of pathways enhance the picturesque nature of the square. Whether picnicking, strolling or taking time out, Seymour Square offers an ideal setting. The Stop is outside the Council Building.

 

4. Marlborough Museum (+64 3 578 1712)
Open 7 days: 10am – 3pm Entry by Donation ( Suggested $10 )

Located in Brayshaw Heritage Park, the Marlborough Museum is known for its wine exhibition and Wairau Boulder Bank including the famous Jim Eyles Collection.

 

4b.  Brayshaw Heritage Park (brayshawheritagepark@gmail.com)
Opening times vary for each exhibit.
Established in 1968, Brayshaw is home to a number of organisations including the Marlborough Historical Society, Marlborough Vintage Farm Machinery, The Vintage Car Club of NZ and many more. It is dedicated to the preservation of Marlborough.

 

5. Omaka Classic Cars (info@omakaclassiccars.co.nz)
Open Friday – Sunday: 11am – 3:30pm.

Omaka Classic Cars hosts a unique collection of New Zealand vehicles that were popular during the 1950-1980 period, along with some special additions. See over 100 vintage vehicles.

 

6. Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre (+64 3 579 1305)
Open 7 days: 9am – 4pm.

Two fascinating collections of rare aircraft brought to life in powerful displays featuring memorabilia and lifelike mannequins created by internationally famous Weta Workshop at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. Includes a cafe.

 

7. Wither Hills (info@witherhills.co.nz)
Open 7 days a week – opening times vary based on appointments. Bookings required.

They take their name from the landmark Wither Hills range that borders the vineyards and produce under the philosophy that the finest wines are always created from exceptional vineyards. Excellent lunch stop in their restaurant. 
Tastings: $10 – $14

 

8. Rimapere Cellar Door & Vineyards  (0272861221) or (cellardoor@rimapere.com)
Open 7 days – 10am – 5pm. Only 8 passenger may hop off at one time.
Closed Saturday & Sunday

Baron Benjamin de Rothschild has created his own Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyard is ideally situated in the heart of the Marlborough region named Rimapere, meaning “five arrows” in Māori, and simultaneously honours the Rothschild’s family coat of arms and traditional New Zealand culture. Come and enjoy a tasting of the Edmond de Rothschild range in our lovely garden setting amongst the vines.

 

9. The Fancy Cow Restaurant/Winery/Brewery (+64 3 242 6260) or (enquiries@thefancycow.nz)
Open Wednesday – Sunday 12pm – 5pm

Delicious Italian food, great views of Marlborough and an energetic atmosphere, The Fancy Cow restaurant and pizza oven has something for everyone.

1. • Sample Ant Moore Wines at their Marlborough Vintners Cellar Door. Using a combination of traditional techniques and modern winemaking practices Ant Moore has crafted a range of wines with balance and character are great for everyone to drink. Tastings: $10 for five wines of the Collection Choice
   • DNA Brewery & Taproom. 

 

10.  Hunters Wines (cellardoor@hunters.co.nz) +64 3 572 8803
Open Wednesday – Sunday: 10am – 4pm. Bookings preferred. No more than 8 clients may hop off at one time. 

Hunters Wines is located in the original farmhouse and with renovations in 2017, has retained the farmhouse, villa characteristics. They offer wine tastings inside as well as in the picturesque gardens. Wander through the native garden, to visit the resident artist studio or linger in the Cellar Door garden with a glass or bottle of wine and light lunch.

Tastings: $15 for 6 wines

11. Saint Clair Family Estate (+64 3 570 5280) or (cellardoor@saintclair.co.nz)
Open Wednesday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm  Bookings required ( Winter hours from 1st May 11am – 4pm )
Full Kitchen Menu Available: 11:30am – 2:45pm, Light Options Available: 2:45pm onwards.

Enjoy a locally sourced lunch in the middle of the vines and some of the best wine Marlborough has to offer. St. Clair’s mission is to create world-class wines that exceed their customers every expectation. They achieved this mission by combining extensive viticultural expertise, the unique mix of Marlborough’s climate and soils, and the talent of one of New Zealand’s leading winemaking teams. St. Clair is now one of Marlborough’s most awarded family owned wineries, and will not disappoint.

Tastings: From $10 – $15 for flight of 3 wines.

HoHo Special! – 10% OFF when dining for lunch, or for wine purchases

 

12. Makana Confections (bsales@makana.co.nz)
Open 7 days: 9am – 5:30pm. 
Makana Chocolate are manufacturers of gift quality chocolate at this boutique factory.

 

13. Moa Brewery (mark@moabeer.com)
Open Wednesday – Sunday 12 noon – 7pm. 

Visit the award winning Moa Brewery and enjoy the view from a beautiful patio along with a tasting from their range of craft beers. Founded in 2003, Moa is one of the pioneers of craft beer in NZ and continues to produce a broad range of beers and ciders.
HOHO Special! 20% discount on tastings and flights

 

14. Cloudy Bay (cellar.door@cloudybay.co.nz)
Open 7 Days 10am to 4pm. Bookings preferred.

A stunning  prestige vineyard with delightful wines. Famous for its Cloudy Bay Pelorus Methode Traditionelle. Perfect for a tasting and soaking up the sun in their gardens. Hosts a Raw Bar where you can sample local oysters.
Tastings: $20 

 

15. Allan Scott Bookings (bistro@allanscott.co.nz) 
Open Wednesday – Sunday: 10AM to 5PM. Bookings preferred. No more than 8 clients may hop off here at any one time. 

Allan Scott has exclusive wines and gifts, relaxing dining indoors or out, delicious seasonal menu and giant chess.
Tastings: Pay at the end for your tastings, 1/2 glass or full glass. 

 

16. Jackson Estate (021 860813) (jacksonestate@bentonwines.co.nz)
Open Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00am – 4:30pm. Bookings required.

100 percent kiwi-owned, with total respect for our land and focusing on low cropping levels, small batch fermentation, single vineyard fruits and minimal winemaking intervention. They are proud of the incremental improvements achieved year on year, in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way.
Tastings – From $10

17. Runway Cafe (therunwaystore@outlook.com)
Open Tuesday – Friday: 7am – 3pm and Saturday/Sunday: 8:30am – 3:30pm

A cool cafe with a big plane outside and a full bar inside! The Runway Cafe was founded in 2019 by local owners. Serving up local and regional fare in addition to ‘Sublime’ coffee. In the back yard stands an historic aircraft, The Argosy, which is the only one in the world. For a small donation an inflight experience can be had between 10am – 4pm Tuesday – Sunday.

 

18. Spy Valley Wines (info@spyvalley.co.nz)
Open Monday – Friday 10:30am – 4:30pm. Bookings preferred. 

Seek Spy, find why. Award winning, sustainably crafted wines that have captured the unique time and place of every harvest since 1993. A family-owned estate, hidden in the heart of Marlborough New Zealand, one of the world’s purest wine regions. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and other classic varieties are grown on 210 hectares of pristine vineyards. It just so happens that they share the valley with a satellite communication station that finds the terroir perfect for spying too. Unlike the world of espionage, Spy Valley has demanded global attention, where its wine has been called “impossible to ignore” – consistently delivering exceptional experiences for wine lovers around the world. Artisan platters available.

Tastings: A selection of 4 Spy Valley Flagship Wines $15 or A selection of 4 ENVOY Reserve Wines $18

 

19. Clos Henri (+64 (0)3 572 7923) or (cellardoor@closhenri.com)
Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm. 

Nestled in the foothills of the Wairau Valley, carved by powerful glacial and tectonic forces, the Clos Henri Estate sits upon some the Malrborough’s most fascinating soils. Headed by members of the famous wine growing family of Henri Bourgeois, from Sancerre, France, the Estate has been meticulously for sine its establishment in 2000.

Tastings $20

 

20. Woodbourne Tavern  (03 572 8007)
Open daily from 11am till late. 

The Woodbourne Tavern and Motels or “the Woody” as it is known by friends and locals is a family pub and restaurant in the centre of the Renwick community. The Woody’s relaxed and friendly atmosphere makes it a favourite for both locals and visitors. Classic pub grub.

 

21. Cork & Keg  ( 03 572 9328) or (info@corkandkeg.co.nz)
Open Monday – Sunday: 12 noon – late.

The Cork & Keg is an English style tavern, serving beer, cider, wine and great heart food. They boast a warm fire in the winter. They produce award-winning top end, ultra premium ales that enlighten the palate and thrill the senses. The beers nicely showcase New Zealand hops and malt in a range of British, American and European styles. The pub also serves homemade pizzas, a variety of snacks, main meals and, of course, Marlborough wine.

 

22. Gibson Bridge (gibsonbridge@outlook.com)
Open 7 days 12 noon – 4pm. Bookings preferred. Due to the size of the venue, no more than 6 to depart here at any one time. 

A boutique family owned vineyard nurtured on the banks of the fast flowing, alpine fed, Gibson Creek.
Tastings: $5 fee waived on purchase of a bottle

 

23a. Forrest Winery (cellardoor@forrest.co.nz) or ( +64 3 5729084)
Open 7 Days: 10am to 4:30pm. Bookings preferred.

Forrest Winery is a family run establishment since 1988. Situated just outside the town of Renwick with beautiful lush gardens. Be sure to check out the weekend Cellar Door 101 sessions!

Tastings: Tasting tray of 7 wines for $16

 

23b. Boom Town Beer Garden (bar@boomtownbeergarden.nz)
Open Friday – Sunday: 12noon till 6pm.

At Boom Town Beer Garden, there’s a scene set for you to enjoy the good times with friends and family in a relaxed atmosphere of chilled vibes & great beer (and wines) in the warmth of Marlborough’s summer sun. The Garden Kitchen is onsite every day serving up wood-fired pizzas, burgers and more.

 

24. Framingham (+64 3 572 8884) or (cellardoor@framingham.co.nz)
Open 7 Days a week 10:30 – 4:30 pm. Bookings preferred.

Framingham make aromatic styled wines to accompany delicious food. They have won several awards including 2018 New Zealand winery of the year. With some of the oldest Riesling vines in Marlborough, they planted the first Wairau Valley vines back in 1981. Enjoy a glass of wine or a combined group tasting with other HoHo clients.   

Tastings are $10. Donations to NZ Music Helps are encouraged.

 

25. Nautilus Winery (sales@nautilusestate.com)
Open daily: 10am – 4:30pm. Bookings preferred.

Enjoy a relaxed and informal wine tasting at Nautilus’ beautifully refurbished cellar door tasting bar. Offering guests a tasting of four wines from a portfolio of current release Nautilus wines.

Tastings: $15 

 

26. Vines Village (+64 3 572 7170) or (admin@thevinesvillage.co.nz)
Open 7 days from 8am. Closing times vary.

The Vines Village is a great destination to explore, taste and relax amongst tranquil landscaped lakeside grounds. The Vines Cafe/restaurant offers fresh and wholesome food specialising in nourishing weekend breakfasts, fresh coffee, tasty lunches and afternoon drinks. And just across the courtyard is the Vines Larder and Gifts for all your local produce and deli goods. It is also home to Golden Mile Brewing and Roots Gin.

• A) Whitehaven Wines (+64 3 577 5177) 

Open 7 days from 11am – 4:30pm. Bookings preferred.
Due to the size of the venue only 8 clients may hop off at any given time.   

Located in the Vines Village, Whitehaven Wines have a singular vision of making wines from 100% Marlborough fruit. Sauvignon Blanc is their speciality! Enjoy a glass of wine or bubbles in their relaxing, lakeside setting. Reservations are encouraged but not essential. Fancy a snack? Build your own delicious platter from the deli.

Tastings: Standard $10, Premium $15

 

• B) Cheese and Cheers (027 572 7171) 

Open 7 days 10am – 6pm 

Whiskey and cheese tasting bar. Focusing on tasting mostly NZ made whiskey and NZ cheese. As well as offering Tupari wine tastings and food, from small cheese plates through to cheese platters.

 

• C) The Gin Shack (03 699 8050) 

Open 7 days 10am – 7pm 

Discover the full range of award-winning Roots Dry Gin with a tasting flight. The Gin Shack’s knowledgable staff take you on a journey to learn about the botanicals selected through to the distillation process on site.

Gin tastings: $3.00 for single or $19.50 for 3 gins & bottle of tonic.

 

Be sure to show your Hop on Hop off wristband at selected stops to claim our great special offers! Click here for more details on specials.

Click here for Terms and Conditions.