Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tours

Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough

★ 4.4 50 reviews

from $80.17 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Every tour here can be cancelled free.

Meeting point: Picton or Blenheim
Cancellation: Every tour here can be cancelled free
Run by: Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours Ltd

Overview

This is a hop on, hop off bus loop through Marlborough wine country, run by Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours Limited from Picton. Rather than one fixed route with a guide walking you through each cellar door, you get a shuttle that circulates among more than two dozen stops, and you decide where to get off and how long to stay. The vehicle is air-conditioned and carries a maximum of 20 travellers. Reviewers mention drivers who are friendly and full of local advice on how to plan the day.

The stop list mixes wine estates with non-wine options. Cellar doors include Cloudy Bay, Wither Hills, Saint Clair Family Estate, Hunter's Wines, Spy Valley, Nautilus Estate, Jackson Estate, Allan Scott, Framingham and Clos Henri. If wine is not the whole point of your day, there are also gift shops, a confectionery, a cheese stop, pub and cafe options, the Marlborough Museum, and aviation and car collections at Omaka. One reviewer who was not a wine drinker said the other stops made the day appealing for them.

Cyclists seen from behind riding between Marlborough vine rows.

The tour suits independent travellers who want tastings without driving, cruise passengers working within limited port time, and groups with mixed interests. It suits you less if you want a structured, guided tasting experience, since drinks and lunch are not included and you pay as you go at each stop.

A white minivan parked on a gravel verge beside Awatere Valley vine rows, a driver seen from behind opening the sliding door for passengers, dry hills behind.

What's Included

Included

Air-conditioned vehicle

Not Included

Alcoholic beverages
Lunch

Itinerary

Astrolabe WinesThe listing gives 30 minutes at this stop, the longest of the route.
Blenheim town stopsAround 10 minutes each at 42 Alfred Street, Blue Penguin New Zealand Gifts and Seymour Square, all free to enter. Marlborough Museum is also a 10-minute stop, but admission there is not included.
Heritage and attractionsRoughly 10 minutes each at Brayshaw Heritage Park, Omaka Classic Cars and Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, with free entry at all three.
Cellar door clusterAbout 10 minutes at each of Wither Hills, Saint Clair Family Estate Vineyard Kitchen, Hunter's Wines, Cloudy Bay, Allan Scott, Jackson Estate, Spy Valley, Clos Henri, Framingham and Nautilus Estate. Tastings and any purchases are paid separately.
Food and shopping stopsRoughly 10 minutes each at The Fancy Cow, Cartels beer garden, The Runway Cafe, Woodbourne Tavern & Motel, Cork & Keg, The Vines Village, Cheese & Cheers NZ and Makana Confections, all free to enter with food and drink bought on the spot.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how the day goes, drawn from the listing and from what travellers report back.

How this price compares with 3 other tours in the same category (from-price per person, USD)

Full-Day Self-Guided Bike Tour$39
Lorelle and Greg Bike, Shuttle Pickup$40.23
Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tours (this tour)$80.17
Half Guided, Half Self-Guided Bike$126

Pace and timing. The listing gives 30 minutes at Astrolabe and 10 minutes at every other stop. One reviewer found each stop lasted at least 45 minutes, enough for a tasting, food or photos, but timings can vary, so confirm the day's schedule with the driver.
Budget for extras. Alcoholic beverages and lunch are not included, and museum admission is extra. Bring money or a card for tastings, food and shopping. Travellers have mentioned lunch at Cork and Keg for pizza, and the confectionery shop for toffee with free samples.
Non-wine options. If not everyone in your group drinks, the loop still works. One reviewer who does not drink wine highlighted the gift shop, the fabric shop at The Vines Village and the chocolate factory as highlights of the day.

A rustic timber barn-style tasting room amid vines on a Southern Valleys hillside, doors open, afternoon light.

Group feel. The vehicle carries a maximum of 20 travellers. Travellers describe the loop as an easy way to see the area, with drivers offering recommendations on which stops suit your interests.
Weather and access. The experience requires good weather and can be cancelled if conditions are poor, with a different date or a full refund offered. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, so travellers with mobility equipment should check alternatives before booking.
Cruise passengers. Cruise travellers have used this tour to see the area and do some shopping within ship time. One noted the time felt limited and the shopping was limited, so set expectations accordingly before you board.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The loop is not wheelchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps. It runs subject to a minimum number of travellers, and if that minimum is not met the operator offers a different date or a full refund. Poor weather can also cancel the day. Cancellation for a refund must happen at least 24 hours before the start time. One reviewer reported confusing emails shortly before their date and a dispute over cancellation notice, so it is worth reading the confirmation details carefully and contacting the operator promptly if anything looks wrong.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Transport on the hop on, hop off loop in an air-conditioned vehicle, with free admission at most stops. Alcoholic beverages and lunch are not included, and entry to Marlborough Museum is an extra fee.

Is Hotel Pickup Provided?

The listing does not state pickup arrangements. Check the live booking page before you go to confirm where the loop starts and the nearest joining point to your accommodation or the cruise port.

Is It Suitable For Children And Infants?

Infants must sit on laps and that most travellers can participate. Non-wine stops such as the gift shops and heritage attractions give families options besides the cellar doors.

Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?

A full refund requires cancellation at least 24 hours before the start time, based on local time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24 hour window are not accepted and will not be refunded. Weather or minimum-number cancellations come with an offer of a different date or a full refund.

How Long Can I Spend At Each Stop?

The listing lists about 10 minutes at most stops and 30 minutes at Astrolabe. One reviewer reported stops of at least 45 minutes in practice, though this can vary, so it is best to ask the driver about the day's schedule.

What Should I Bring?

Money or a card for tastings, lunch and shopping, since drinks and food are not included. The listing does not specify anything else to bring, so pack as you would for a day of stops indoors and out.