Jimmy's Classic Full-Day Tour

Jimmy’s Classic Marlborough Wine Tours

★ 5.0 58 reviews

from $227.01 per person

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Duration: 6 hours
Meeting point: Blenheim
Cancellation: Every tour here can be cancelled free
Run by: Jimmy's Classic Marlborough Wine Tours

Overview

This six-hour wine tour runs out of Blenheim, with a 10:00 start from Seymour Square, where travellers wait for a red Mercedes E 350 under the clock tower. Only your own group takes part, so the day is shaped around the people in the car rather than a fixed crowd schedule. Between stops you ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water on board.

The route visits five Marlborough producers in sequence: Clos Henri, Rock Ferry, Bladen, Huia and finally Saint Clair Family Estate, where the vineyard kitchen stop does not include admission. Standard tasting fees at the other stops are covered by the tour price. Lunch is not included, so plan and budget for a meal separately.

Reviews repeatedly single out the guide's knowledge of both wine and local history, and one traveller mentioned an unscheduled stop at a chocolate shop. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

How this price compares with 8 other tours in the same category (from-price per person, USD, the 8 lowest shown)

Winemakers Tour, Tasting Fees Included$143.68
Beyond the Vines Small Group$143.68
5 to 6 Hour Full-Day Tour$154
Day of Wine, Hotel Pickup$162.07
Wine Tasting Plus Cruise Combo$183.91
Gourmet and Scenic, Blenheim Start$186.78
Full-Day From Blenheim, Lunch Included$218.39
Jimmy's Classic Full-Day Tour (this tour)$227.01

What's Included

Included

Bottled water
Private transportation
Air-conditioned vehicle

Not Included

Lunch
Mahi tailor made private tasting and tour at extra cost

Itinerary

Meet at Seymour SquareMeet at 10:00 by the clock tower at Seymour Square, Seymour Street, Blenheim Central, and look for the red Mercedes E 350.
Clos Henri VineyardA one-hour stop with the admission ticket included.
Rock Ferry WinesOne hour and 30 minutes at Rock Ferry, with admission included.
Bladen WinesA one-hour tasting stop.
Huia VineyardsOne hour at Huia, with the admission ticket included.
Saint Clair Family EstateA one-hour stop at the Vineyard Kitchen.
Return to Seymour SquareThe tour ends back at the original meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points help the day run smoothly, drawn from the listing and from what travellers have written afterwards.

A small white minivan waits at a kerb in the middle of Blenheim in morning light, a few visitors seen from behind stepping aboard, plain and unbranded, quiet street with low shopfronts.

Food and drink. Lunch is not included in the price, so budget for a meal separately. The final stop is at Saint Clair's Vineyard Kitchen, where admission is also not included. Bottled water is provided in the vehicle.
Pace and travel. The day spans about six hours across five stops, with roughly an hour at most wineries and a longer pause at Rock Ferry. Transport is private and air-conditioned, so the pace is unhurried.
Group feel. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.
Getting there. The meeting point is the clock tower at Seymour Square in Blenheim Central, near public transportation. The listing does not state hotel collection for this tour, so check the booking page for pickup details before you go.
Tasting knowledge. One reviewer who knew little about wine and spoke limited English said the explanations were patient and detailed.
Booking and timing. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Arrive at Seymour Square in time for the 10:00 start, and note the 24-hour cancellation cut-off if your plans might shift.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and the listing advises against it for pregnant travellers, though pushchairs are fine and infant seats are available. Tasting fees at a tailor-made private tasting at Mahi, plus lunch and admission at Saint Clair, cost extra. A minimum number of travellers is required; if it is not met you will be offered a different date or experience or a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the 10:00 start get no refund. One reviewer mentioned a chocolate shop stop, but that was not part of the fixed itinerary, so do not count on it.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and standard tasting fees at the scheduled wineries. Admission tickets at Clos Henri, Rock Ferry, Bladen and Huia are included. It is a private tour, so only your group takes part.

Is Lunch Or Any Tasting Extra?

Lunch is not included. A tailor-made private tasting and tour at Mahi is available at extra cost, and admission at the Saint Clair Family Estate Vineyard Kitchen stop is not included. All other standard tasting fees are covered.

Where Does The Tour Start, And Is There Hotel Pickup?

The meeting point is Seymour Square, 37 Seymour Street, Blenheim Central, by the clock tower, and the tour starts at 10:00. Travellers should look for a red Mercedes E 350. The listing does not state hotel collection for this tour, so check the live booking page for pickup details.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but pushchairs are fine and infants can sit on laps, with infant seats available. Service animals are allowed and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most travellers can participate, though the listing does not recommend it for pregnant travellers.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 start for a full refund. Cancel or request changes inside that window and no refund or change is accepted. The tour also needs a minimum number of travellers; if it is cancelled because that minimum is not met, you will be offered a different date or experience or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Bring money or a card for lunch and for any extras such as the Mahi private tasting.