We bring you the best winery restaurants in Marlborough. This list was produced to save you time trying to decide where you go. To save yourself even more time just book yourself on a Full or Half day wine tour.
- Lunches on a Wine tour
- Setting, Menu and Staff
- Top 5 winery restaurants in Marlborough for Lunch
- Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen
- Wairau River Restaurant
- Allan Scott Wines
- Wither Hills Restaurant
- Brancott Estate
- Summary of the best winery restaurant in Marlborough
Lunches on a Wine tour
When we book lunches for groups on the Wine tour we consider a number of factors. The winery restaurant is a major part of the day and is the longest stop of the day, usually taking about 1.5 hours.
Luckily we have lots of amazing wineries to choose from. All of them are very different and all are fantastic for different reasons. To make this list the things we considered include;
Winery and vineyard Lunch categories and considerations in becoming one of the best winery restaurants in Marlborough
Setting, Menu and Staff
- Setting-In door/out door flow and seating. We use different restaurant in different seasons and depending on the wind, rain and temperature
- Menu- Variety and cost. As we book for groups usually before we meet them, we need to make sure the restaurants we choose have a wide variety of options, and can cater for different food sensitivities.
- Cost is also a factor as you want a good volume but don’t want to have to pay “tourist prices.” Lunch prices are different to dinner prices.
- Wine- Call me a snob but the wine has to be perfect and the wine range varied to exceed the expectations of everyone on the wine tour.
- Staff- Summer season can be very busy and stressful. The wrong staff or manager can ruin a perfectly great experience. The staff need to be friendly and professional.
- Timing- There challengers for tour operators is always timing the tasting, lunch and returning guests on time. If lunch is held up then the afternoon runs late. Restaurants that can consistently facilitate the group dining and tasting experience in a punctual fashion often become our favorites.
Top 5 winery restaurants in Marlborough for Lunch
Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen
Saint Clair‘s tasting room and restaurant is very accessible and just about ten minutes drive from the center of Blenheim. It has a peaceful vineyard setting with stunning views of the vines and the Richmond Range. The courtyard offers outdoor dining where you can enjoy the sun and dine amongst the vines.
Saint Clair veranda section on cooler days offers sheltered from the elements through extensive floor to ceiling glass sliding doors.
The menu constantly changes reflecting some of the best seasonal produce and finest delicacies Marlborough has to offer. There are different options available to meet any dietary requirements. The manager and the rest of the staff are very professional and friendly with a warm welcome and smooth departure. The cost is acceptable and the portion size is adequate. Their timing is always perfect for the wine tour.
Wairau River Restaurant
Update: Please note Wairau River has re-opened their restaurant. Called No.11@Wairau https://www.wairauriverwines.com/cellar-door-restaurant/
One of the regions original wine tourism destinations is Wairau River winery is. The menu is simple and delicious focusing on fresh Marlborough ingredients that changes with the seasons. There is a good range of options to choose from, its not extensive but every dish is perfect.
The place is amazing. The inside of the restaurant is nice and cosy, there is a large open fire in the middle and there is no better restaurant on a winters day.
Wairau River the atmosphere is casual and down to earth but it has the polish of a proud family that has been running this for generations. The wine tasting is$20 per person for 4 wines.
Allan Scott Wines
Twelve Trees Restaurant got its name from the walnut trees that lined the entrance to the Scott’s winery. It is 8 km from Blenheim and 5 km from Renwick. This venue is surrounded by manicured gardens which are great for children to explore. The food is great and the atmosphere is truly relaxing, whether in the sheltered courtyard or inside by the fire. The undercover outdoor courtyard is exceptional even if the day is wet or windy.
The menu goes with a simple food philosophy, “fresh & local”. The seasonal menu changes regularly, but consistently features quality produce from many local suppliers which go very well with the delicious The menu offers a wide range of delicious food options that meet different dietary requirements. The team at Allan Scotts are fantastic and they are open 7 days. We always go to Allan Scott on Monday’s and Tuesday!!!
Wither Hills Restaurant
Marlborough’s Wither Hills Restaurant offers platters, delicious lunch and desserts. It is a great place to sit and gaze across to the dramatic hills. The view from Wither Hills is absolutely stunning and would make the most incredible wedding venue. All the food is interesting and more at the fine dinning, top end of the spectrum. If you are vegetarian/vegan/have allergies there is always an interesting choice.
The service is efficient but not rushed, its great when you have all afternoon to relax. The venue has reasonably easy access, there is a small hill or stairs to walk up but has plenty of spacious parking.
The restaurant is a very good place to dine, relax and just simply appreciate the beauty of nature.
We love the tower which provides a fantastic location for photos and the barrel room with its European atmosphere. Great range of wines to match.
Brancott Estate
Brancott Estate Restaurant is currently Closed due to COVID and Govt regulations. They have no intentions to open any time soon but I will update this immediately if this changes.
Has magnificent views of the Marlborough landscape which enhances dining experience. Its breathtaking location makes it a very popular spot. There are only 10 tables and they all have views right across Marlborough and over to the North island.
Best suited to couples and families without children as there is no where for the kids to play. The view is breathtaking so the restaurant is the perfect place for a long lunch.
Summary of the best winery restaurant in Marlborough
Marlborough has so many fantastic wineries, chefs, foodies and wine all competing that the standards here are world class. Travellers from all over the world have continuously told me that the lunch on the wine tour was the best they have had in New Zealand and 2nd to none in the world.
If you plan to have a couple of glasses of wine then I suggest you get yourself booked on a tour and I will choose the best winery restaurant in Marlborough for you. The best restaurant changes from week to week and season to season so the safest best is to give us a call.
