Cruise Ship Shore Excursion

Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Region Tour from Picton

★ 4.9 80 reviews

from $149.43 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.

Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point: Picton cruise port
Cancellation: Every tour here can be cancelled free
Run by: The Original Marlborough Wine Tours

Overview

Your ship docks at Picton, and a shuttle runs from the berth to the Picton i-SITE Visitor Information Centre on The Foreshore, where this wine tour starts. From there a driver-guide takes a group of no more than 11 people into the Marlborough wine region in an air-conditioned van. The tour runs for 5.5 hours.

The core of the day is visits to four wineries, with wine tasting included, plus a short stop at Makana Confections, a chocolate factory, for 15 minutes. Commentary runs throughout the drive, and the guides come in for constant praise in reviews: travellers repeatedly described them as knowledgeable, funny and professional, with real background on the local wine industry. Reviewers said the pace felt relaxed rather than rushed.

Lunch is not included in the fare. Most departures include a lunch stop at one of the wineries, though tours starting after 12.30 will only have a snack stop, so morning departures are the better bet if a proper meal matters. Reviewers mentioned charcuterie boards and sit-down lunches, all at extra cost.

How this price compares with 4 other tours in the same category (from-price per person, USD)

Half-Day From Picton, 3 Hours$114.37
Cruise Ship Shore Excursion (this tour)$149.43
Full-Day From Picton, Pickup$158.05
Cruise Excursion, 5 to 6 Hours$163.79
Port of Picton Highlights Tour$186.78

What's Included

Included

Professional driver/ tour guide
Live commentary on board
Visits to four wineries and Chocolate Factory
Wine tasting
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Air-conditioned vehicle

Not Included

Lunch ( extra cost). Usually a lunch stop -but tours after 12.30 will just have a snack stop

Itinerary

Meet at Picton i-SITEFree shuttle buses run from the cruise berth to the Picton i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, about a 10 minute trip. Get off by the toilets, turn left into the car park and look for the prebooked tours sign; if no vehicle is visible, wait there and the operator will find you.
Drive into wine countryBoard the air-conditioned van with your driver-guide for the run out of Picton, with live commentary along the way.
Marlborough winery visitsThe Original Marlborough Wine Tours component covers about 5 hours, including visits to four wineries with wine tasting included in the tour price.
Makana Confections stopA 15 minute stop at the chocolate factory, with admission included.
Lunch or snack stopOptional and at extra cost. Most tours include a lunch stop at a winery, but departures after 12.30 get a snack stop only.
Return to PictonThe tour ends back at the Picton i-SITE meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

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

A small harbour jetty in Picton with a few moored boats at midday, hills of the Sounds behind.

Small van feel. The group is capped at 11 travellers. Reviewers often mention bonding with fellow passengers by the end of the day, and several said the small group made the experience more relaxed and social.
Bring lunch money. Food is not included. Most departures stop for lunch at a winery at your own expense. Departures after 12.30 only get a snack stop, so eat accordingly.
Tastings included. Wine tasting at the four wineries is in the price, along with GST. Reviewers said the wines poured were generous and well explained.
Getting to the meeting point. Free shuttle buses connect the cruise berth to the Picton i-SITE. The directions in the listing are specific: get off by the toilets, turn left, head into the car park and wait at the prebooked tours sign if you cannot see the vehicles.
Minimum age. The minimum age is 18.
Weather dependent. The experience needs good weather, and it can be cancelled if the minimum number of travellers is not met. If that happens, you are offered a different date, a different experience or a full refund.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. A few honest caveats come up. One reviewer suggested cutting the tour to three wineries to allow more time for lunch, so the pace may feel full by the end. The vehicle is not wheelchair accessible, though one reviewer did praise a guide for helping an older relative with a walker. The operator can cancel if the minimum traveller number is not met, offering a different date, a different experience or a full refund, and poor weather can also end the day.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

A professional driver-guide with live commentary, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, visits to four wineries with wine tasting, the Makana Confections chocolate factory stop, and GST. Pickup and drop-off at the Picton i-SITE is part of the tour. Lunch is not included.

Where Does The Tour Pick Up From?

Pickup is in Picton, a short distance from the cruise ship berth. Free shuttle buses run from the ship to the Picton i-SITE Visitor Information Centre on The Foreshore, roughly a 10 minute trip. Check the live booking page for your exact meeting point and departure time before your ship docks.

Is Lunch Included?

No, lunch is at extra cost. Most departures include a lunch stop at one of the wineries, but tours starting after 12.30 will only have a snack stop. Reviewers have had sit-down lunches and charcuterie boards, paid separately.

How Big Is The Group?

The group is capped at 11 travellers, and several reviewers said the small group made the day more relaxed and social, with passengers getting to know each other over the tastings.

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

It is not wheelchair accessible. Most travellers can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The minimum age is 18.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted. The tour needs good weather and a minimum number of travellers; if it is cancelled for either reason, you are offered a different date, a different experience or a full refund.