Frequently Asked Questions — Hop n Grape Tours

Every guide on every tour works hands-on in Marlborough’s wine industry — whether that’s as a winemaker, a vineyard worker, or cellar door staff. You’re not getting a tour-guide script, you’re getting the real, lived-in knowledge of someone who works in the region’s wine industry day to day.

We run five tours: the Full Day Winemaker’s Tour, Half Day Wino’s Tour, Gourmet Gold Winemaker’s Tour, Private Winemaker’s Tour, and the Picton Cruise Ship Excursion. Each is built for a different pace, group size, and level of indulgence — see our Tours page for the full breakdown.

Our Gourmet Gold and Private Winemaker’s Tours are always led by a qualified Marlborough winemaker, guaranteed. Our Full Day and Half Day tours are guided by genuine wine industry insiders — though not always a qualified winemaker specifically. If having a winemaker guide is important to you, Gourmet Gold or Private are the way to go.

A 6-hour tour visiting 4–5 wineries, with all tastings included and a guide who works hands-on in Marlborough’s wine industry, from vineyard to cellar door.

A relaxed 4-hour tour visiting 3–4 wineries, with tastings included. It’s a great option if you’re short on time and wanting a taste of the region without a full day commitment.

Six hours with a qualified winemaker as your guide, a visit to Cloudy Bay, and a 2-course gourmet lunch matched with wine. This tour is capped at 6 guests, so it stays personal and unrushed.

A fully tailored 6-hour experience where you choose the focus and pace. It includes a visit to Cloudy Bay and is led by a qualified winemaker or one of our signature Marlborough guides.

Cloudy Bay is included on our Gourmet Gold and Private Winemaker’s Tours. It’s not a standard stop on the Half Day or Full Day tours.

Booking Your Marlborough Wine Tour

We recommend booking at least a few weeks ahead, especially over summer (December–March) when tours fill up quickly. For Gourmet Gold and Private tours, earlier is better as guide availability is limited.

Yes, you’re welcome to book for two. Our Half Day and Full Day tours run as small group tours, so solo travellers and couples join others on the day. Private tours are designed specifically for smaller, exclusive groups.

Gourmet Gold is capped at 6 guests to keep the experience personal. Group sizes for our other tours vary — get in touch and we’ll let you know what’s available for your dates.

Yes, pickup is available — let us know your accommodation when booking and we’ll confirm whether it falls within our pickup area.

Yes. Our Picton Cruise Ship Excursion is a private shore excursion departing directly from the Picton ferry/cruise terminal — ideal if you’re visiting Marlborough for the day.

You can book directly through our website via Rezdy, our online booking platform, or get in touch with us directly if you’d like help choosing the right tour.

Please check the cancellation terms shown at checkout when you book, or contact us directly and we’re happy to talk through your options.

On the Day

Comfortable, casual clothing is best — think smart-casual rather than formal. Closed-toe shoes are a good idea if we’re walking through any vineyards. Bring a jacket or layers, as Marlborough weather can shift through the day, and don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen in summer.

Yes — just let us know any dietary requirements or allergies when you book, particularly for the Gourmet Gold tour with its included lunch, and we’ll make sure it’s catered for.

Marlborough wine touring happens rain or shine — cellar doors and tasting rooms are all indoors, so a bit of weather won’t get in the way of your day. In the rare case of extreme weather affecting safety or access, we’ll be in touch to discuss options

There’s a small amount of walking between vehicles and cellar doors, but nothing strenuous. Let us know if you have any mobility considerations and we’ll plan accordingly.

Our tours are generally geared towards adults given the wine-tasting focus. Get in touch if you’re travelling with children and we can talk through what might work, particularly for a Private tour.

A 2-course gourmet lunch matched with wine is included on the Gourmet Gold tour. Lunch isn’t included as standard on our other tours, but private tours can be tailored to include a lunch stop on request.

Private & Custom Tours

Yes — that’s exactly what it’s designed for. Tell us what you’re after, whether that’s specific wineries, a particular focus like organic or biodynamic producers, or a special occasion, and we’ll build the day around it.

We have a number of signature guides with deep roots in the Marlborough wine industry and region. Ask us about our signature guides when booking a Private or Gourmet Gold tour, and we’ll let you know who’s available for your date.

Absolutely. Our Private Winemaker’s Tour is a popular choice for special occasions — let us know what you’re celebrating, and we’ll help tailor the day.

After Your Tour

We’d love to hear how your tour went. You can leave us a review on Google or TripAdvisor, or reply to the follow-up email we send after your tour. Honest feedback genuinely helps us, and other travellers planning their Marlborough visit.

Get in touch via info@hopngrapetours.co.nz or call us on 021 157 4094 / 0800 478 868, and we’ll get back to you.