7 Days on New Zealand's Wine Trail: Marlborough to Central Otago

New Zealand does wine differently. The vineyards are younger, the landscapes are wilder, and between tastings you can kayak through sounds, hike alpine trails, and bungy jump off bridges. This is wine travel for people who cannot sit still -- and for anyone who wants to understand why New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc conquered the world and why Central Otago Pinot Noir is closing in on Burgundy.

Seven days takes you from the sun-drenched Wairau Valley of Marlborough, south through the dramatic schist landscapes of Central Otago, and back up to the underrated Waipara Valley in Canterbury. You will taste Sauvignon Blanc that rewrites your expectations, Pinot Noir from the world's southernmost vineyards, and aromatic whites that prove New Zealand is far more than a one-grape country.

Budget estimate: NZD 400-1,100/day per person depending on accommodation and activity choices.

Best time to visit: February-April (harvest season, long warm days, stable weather). December-January works but is peak tourist season with higher prices.

Before You Go

• Rent a car or campervan. New Zealand is built for road trips. Distances between wine regions are 4-6 hours by car. A campervan (from NZD 100-180/day) is popular and eliminates accommodation costs, though you sacrifice comfort.
• Book the Interislander ferry. You need to cross Cook Strait between the North and South Islands (if arriving in Wellington). Book the ferry (3.5 hours, NZD 80-150 per person plus NZD 120-180 for a car) in advance for peak season. The Bluebridge ferry is an alternative.
• Winery appointments are rarely needed. New Zealand's tasting culture is walk-in friendly. The only exceptions are small Central Otago producers and high-end experiences like Cloudy Bay or Craggy Range's premium tastings.
• Tasting fees are modest. NZD 10-25 at most wineries, often waived with a bottle purchase. This is not Napa pricing.
• Pack layers. Marlborough can be 28C (82F) while Central Otago drops to 10C (50F) at night in the same week. Canterbury weather is unpredictable. A good fleece and rain jacket are essential.

Day 1: Arrive Marlborough

Getting There

Fly into Blenheim (BHE) via Air New Zealand from Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. Alternatively, fly to Wellington and take the Interislander ferry to Picton, then drive 25 minutes south to Blenheim. The ferry crossing through the Marlborough Sounds is spectacular and worth the extra time.

Afternoon

Check into accommodation in or near Blenheim. Budget: St Leonards Vineyard Cottages (NZD 180-280/night, surrounded by vines). Mid-range: The Marlborough Lodge (NZD 250-400/night, converted convent with beautiful gardens). Luxury: Bay of Many Coves in the Sounds (NZD 500-900/night, only accessible by water taxi).

Start with a gentle introduction at Saint Clair Family Estate on Rapaura Road. Their cellar door is one of the most welcoming in the valley, the Pioneer Block Sauvignon Blanc range shows how different vineyard sites produce distinct flavors from the same grape, and the on-site restaurant serves excellent platters. Tasting NZD 10-15.

Evening

Dinner at Arbour in Blenheim, a tiny restaurant (book ahead) that changes its menu weekly based on local ingredients. Chef-owner Bradley Hornby cooks modern New Zealand food that matches the region's wines perfectly. Mains NZD 35-45.

Alternatively, Wairau River Restaurant at the winery offers al fresco dining among the vines (mains NZD 28-38).

Pro tip: Marlborough gets more sunshine hours than almost anywhere in New Zealand. Sunscreen and a hat are essential, even in March. The UV index is brutal at this latitude.

Day 2: Marlborough Deep Dive

Morning

Drive the Rapaura Road wine trail, which has the densest concentration of cellar doors in the region.

Start at Cloudy Bay, the winery that put Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc on the world map in the 1980s. Their cellar door experience (NZD 15-25) includes the flagship Sauvignon Blanc plus their excellent Pinot Noir and Te Koko (a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc that surprises everyone). Book for peak season.

Next: Framingham Wines for outstanding aromatic whites -- their Riesling range from dry to sweet is a masterclass in the variety. Tasting NZD 10. Then Huia Vineyards for biodynamic wines and one of the region's best Pinot Noirs. Tasting NZD 10-15.

Afternoon: Kayaking in the Sounds

Break from wine for a half-day sea kayaking trip in the Marlborough Sounds with Wilderness Guides (depart from Picton, 30 minutes north of Blenheim). Paddle through Queen Charlotte Sound past native bush, fur seal colonies, and uninhabited bays. Half-day trips NZD 110-150.

Return to the valley for a late afternoon visit to Brancott Estate Heritage Centre -- the site where Marlborough's first Sauvignon Blanc vines were planted in 1973. The hilltop tasting room has panoramic views across the Wairau Valley. Tasting NZD 10-15.

Evening

Dinner at The Hans Herzog Estate restaurant -- Austrian-born Hans Herzog grows over 30 grape varieties on his estate, and the restaurant matches them with European-influenced dishes. This is one of the most unique dining experiences in New Zealand wine country. Mains NZD 38-52. Book ahead.

Day 3: Marlborough to Kaikoura (Adventure Day)

Morning

Drive south from Blenheim along the stunning coastal highway (SH1) to Kaikoura (2.5 hours). This drive follows the rugged Pacific coast with mountains rising directly from the sea.

Activity: Whale Watching or Dolphin Swim

Kaikoura is one of the world's best places for marine wildlife encounters. Choose one:

• Whale Watch Kaikoura (NZD 170-195) -- sperm whales are resident year-round, with humpbacks, orcas, and blue whales seasonally. 2.5-hour boat trips with near-guaranteed sightings.
• Dolphin Encounter (NZD 190-210) -- swim with hundreds of dusky dolphins in the open ocean. Wetsuits provided. Unforgettable if the weather cooperates.

Afternoon

Lunch at The Pier Hotel on the Kaikoura waterfront -- crayfish (the town is named for it: kai = food, koura = crayfish) is the specialty. A half crayfish with garlic butter runs NZD 40-55.

Continue driving south to Waipara Valley (2 hours from Kaikoura). Check into your accommodation. Black Estate winery has a stunning hillside restaurant and offers accommodation referrals to nearby properties (NZD 150-300/night in the area).

Evening

Dinner at Black Estate itself -- their restaurant sits on a terrace overlooking the vines and the Canterbury Plains. The food is seasonal, the wine list is exclusively their own production, and the Pinot Noir here rivals anything in the South Island. Mains NZD 32-42.

Day 4: Waipara Valley

Morning

Waipara is New Zealand's underrated wine region. Protected from Canterbury's cold easterlies by the Teviotdale Hills, this valley produces outstanding Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer at prices well below Marlborough and Central Otago.

Start at Pegasus Bay, the region's flagship estate. The Donaldson family makes exceptional Pinot Noir, Riesling, and a Bordeaux-style red blend called Maestro that has no business being this good at this latitude. Their restaurant is one of the best winery restaurants in New Zealand. Tasting NZD 10-15.

Next visit: Greystone Wines, a certified organic estate on the north bank of the Waipara River. Their Pinot Noir and wild-fermented Chardonnay are outstanding. The tasting room sits among limestone outcrops that define the terroir. NZD 10-15.

Afternoon

Lunch at the Pegasus Bay restaurant -- the longest-running winery restaurant in Canterbury. The Mediterranean-influenced menu changes seasonally. Mains NZD 30-40.

After lunch, visit Mud House Wines for excellent value across the range (NZD 5-10 tasting, often waived with purchase), then Waipara Hills for their single-vineyard Pinot Noir. Tasting NZD 10.

Late Afternoon: Hiking Option

Drive 30 minutes to Waikari and walk the Fossil Trail (1 hour loop) -- limestone formations with embedded marine fossils from when this area was underwater. Short, easy, and a fascinating geological counterpoint to the vineyard landscapes.

Evening

Drive to Christchurch (45 minutes south) for the night, or stay in the Waipara area if you prefer the countryside. Christchurch is a convenient base for the flight to Queenstown tomorrow.

In Christchurch, dinner at Inati (innovative sharing plates, NZD 25-40 per dish) or King of Snake (Asian fusion, vibrant atmosphere, mains NZD 28-38).

Pro tip: Waipara Pinot Noir costs NZD 25-40 per bottle at cellar doors -- roughly half what comparable quality costs in Central Otago. Buy a case here.

Day 5: Fly to Queenstown & Gibbston Valley

Morning

Fly from Christchurch to Queenstown (1 hour, NZD 80-200 on Air New Zealand or Jetstar). The approach over the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu is one of the most dramatic airport landings in the world.

Pick up your rental car and drive 25 minutes east to the Gibbston Valley, the gateway to Central Otago wine country. This narrow river gorge, flanked by schist cliffs and mountains, produces Pinot Noir at altitudes and latitudes that should be impossible for viticulture.

Late Morning

Start at Gibbston Valley Winery, the region's original producer. Their cave tour (NZD 15-20) takes you through New Zealand's largest wine cave carved into the schist hillside, followed by a tasting of their estate Pinot Noir. The cave stays at a natural 14C year-round.

Next: Peregrine Wines, whose angular, wing-shaped architecture echoes the peregrine falcons that nest in the surrounding cliffs. Their Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are among the region's best. Tasting NZD 10-15.

Afternoon

Lunch at the Gibbston Valley Cheesery attached to the winery -- handmade cheeses paired with Central Otago wines. The aged cheddar with their Reserve Pinot is a perfect combination. NZD 15-25 for a tasting platter.

Afternoon Activity: Bungy or Jet Boat

Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand. Between wine tastings, take your pick:

• AJ Hackett Bungy at the Kawarau Bridge (NZD 220) -- the original bungy jump site, 43 meters above the river, right in the heart of wine country
• Shotover Jet (NZD 165) -- jet boat through the narrow Shotover River canyons at 85 km/h
• Queenstown Skyline Gondola + Luge (NZD 55-75) -- gondola ride with panoramic views, luge track on the way down

Evening

Dinner in Queenstown at Rata by Josh Emett (modern New Zealand, mains NZD 38-52) or The Grille by Eichardt's (steaks and local lamb, mains NZD 42-58). Both have strong Central Otago wine lists.

Stay in Queenstown for nights 5-6.

Pro tip: Gibbston Valley has the highest concentration of cellar doors in Central Otago -- 8 wineries within 15 minutes of each other. You can taste the full range of Central Otago Pinot Noir without driving long distances.

Day 6: Bannockburn & Cromwell Basin

Morning

Drive 45 minutes from Queenstown to Bannockburn, the subregion that produces Central Otago's richest, most concentrated Pinot Noir. The landscape is stark and beautiful -- golden schist outcrops, tussock grass, and the turquoise Kawarau River.

Start at Felton Road, widely considered Central Otago's finest producer. Their biodynamic estate produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling of extraordinary purity. Tasting by appointment only -- book ahead. NZD 15-20.

Next: Mt Difficulty in Bannockburn village. Their cellar door restaurant has the best terrace views in wine country -- schist cliffs, the river below, and Pinot Noir vines clinging to impossibly steep slopes. Tasting NZD 10-15.

Afternoon

Lunch at the Mt Difficulty restaurant -- the menu is seasonal and local, the wine list is comprehensive, and the setting is unmatched. Mains NZD 30-42.

After lunch, drive 10 minutes to Burn Cottage (biodynamic, appointment recommended, NZD 15) for elegant, Burgundy-inspired Pinot Noir, then Wooing Tree for their distinctive rosé and single-vineyard Pinot (NZD 10-15, walk-in friendly).

Afternoon Activity: Lake Dunstan or Historic Cromwell

Walk the Lake Dunstan Trail (sections range from 30 minutes to 3 hours) through schist gorges and along the turquoise lake. Or explore Old Cromwell Town, a heritage precinct of gold-rush-era stone buildings preserved from the town that was partially flooded when the Clyde Dam was built in the 1990s.

Evening

Drive back to Queenstown. Dinner at Botswana Butchery (upscale steakhouse and wine bar in a heritage building, mains NZD 40-55) or Flame Bar & Grill for excellent barbecue with a Central Otago wine list (mains NZD 30-42).

Day 7: Arrowtown & Departure

Morning

Drive 20 minutes to Arrowtown, a beautifully preserved gold-mining village. Walk the Arrow River trail (30-60 minutes, flat and easy) through native beech forest, or explore the Chinese Settlement -- restored miners' huts from the 1860s gold rush that tell the story of Chinese immigrants who worked the river.

Last wine stop: Amisfield Winery & Bistro between Queenstown and Arrowtown. Their Pinot Noir is outstanding, the lake-view restaurant serves a trust-the-chef lunch (NZD 55 for 4 courses), and it is the most elegant way to close the trip.

Afternoon

Return your rental car at Queenstown airport. Depart.

If you have a later flight, consider the Queenstown Skyline Gondola for final panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range.

Transport Tips

• Domestic flights: Air New Zealand and Jetstar connect all major towns. Book early for the best fares (NZD 60-200 one-way).
• Driving: New Zealand drives on the left. Roads are generally excellent but often narrow and winding. South Island distances look short on the map but take longer than expected due to terrain. Allow extra time.
• Queenstown to Cromwell/Bannockburn: 45 minutes via Kawarau Gorge Road (SH6). Stunning drive through the gorge. Do not rush it.
• Cell service: Patchy in rural areas, especially between Kaikoura and Waipara, and in the Gibbston Valley. Download offline maps before departure.
• Rental car tips: Book the smallest car you are comfortable with -- some winery driveways and mountain roads are narrow. Chains may be required on the Crown Range road in winter (not an issue February-April).

Budget Summary

More New Zealand Wine Travel Guides

• Marlborough Wine Region Overview
• Central Otago Wine Region Overview
• New Zealand Wine Regions
• Old World vs New World Wine Regions

Word Count: ~2,000

Last Updated: January 2026

Author: WineTravelGuides Editorial Team