Excursion Marlborough wines & garden tour at Picton

Experience the best in Marlborough wines and see one of New Zealand's 'Garden of Significance' gardens on this half-day excursion.

Marlborough is renowned for both its fine wines and its beautiful gardens, celebrated annually with its Marlborough Wine & Food Festival held in February, and Garden Marlborough in November.

Wither Hills & Allan Scott Winery

Meet your driver-guide in Picton and travel south to Blenheim, the largest centre of the Marlborough region to Wither Hills winery, a bold piece of modern architecture whose clean lines make it both spare and imposing, but undeniably New Zealand-designed with beautiful stone walls and native plant landscaping. Taste some of their recent wines before visiting Allan Scott Winery. Allan has nearly 40 years in the wine business, which makes him one of the most experienced people in Marlborough when it comes to growing, making and marketing wine. When Allan and his wife Catherine (a fifth-generation Marlburian) settled in the region in 1973, they began by working for several wineries. Before long, they became one of the first to pioneer contract growing, cultivating grapes on their own block of land.

Woodend Garden

Woodend Gardens & Vineyard is a rural property just 5 minutes North of Blenheim. The established gardens first developed in 1990, now owned and tended by Brian & Margaret Herd, contains a private residence surrounded by approx. 7 acres of garden and a 10-acre vineyard of sauvignon blanc grapes

planted in 2007.

Enter through a formal gateway and along an extensive curved driveway lined with blue agapanthus that sets a stunning scene for the established gardens. The garden features many different zones all with unique elements and hidden sanctuaries. 40 meter high eucalyptus (gum) trees planted almost a century ago stand proud in the SW corner. Many other large specimen trees are also established on the property including; liquidambar trees, dogwoods, magnolias & Gleditsia.

The tour concludes back at the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Marlborough region, Blenheim, Wither Hills Winery, Wine Tasting & Snacks, Woodend Gardens

Note

Please note: This tour requires a minimal amount of walking, for a distance of about 300 yards (280 metres) with some steps at Wither Hills. It is suitable for guests with limited mobility; however guests must be able to handle extended periods of standing at the wineries. Guests must also be able to embark and disembark the coach via the bus steps with minimal assistance. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Please be advised that wineries may be substituted if not available.

 Due to the limited number of vehicles suitable for touring in the area, space is limited and all seats may be occupied. Guests must be at least 18 years old to participate in tastings of alcoholic beverages.