Winery Tour - 5 hour Martinborough Wineries

Posted by morrielarlow from Canada on29 Dec 2022

arrow_back Winery Tour - 5 hour Martinborough Wineries

morrielarlow said... Yes I would do this wine tour with Zozo Tours again but recommend the all-day tour. I was hesitant of a long all-day excursion but didnt need to be. I was in for the road trip, scenery, meet people and Martinbourgh wine experience and you need all day to to this area well. If you do the 5 hour tour, have a big breakfast and bring a snack! Steve our tour guide/driver was knowledgeable, punctual and efficient. My tour was booked between Xmas and NY so some wineries were closed as was the cheese shop. Steve knew this already which saved us time and allowed us an opportunity for a quick lunch in Martinborough. We had a fun group who I would have enjoyed a long, boozy lunch with but it was a quick lunch! I will return to Martinborough to explore another day. All 3 wineries we did visit were amazing and the staff were passionate, personable, quirky and fun! Steve knew the wineries and its hosts, he slipped in to confirm they were ready for us and we were taken immediately. This service was necessary as there were crowds of people at this time of the year and this service was worth it! Only recommendation was the pick up at the ISite location was on the street nearby with no shade or bench and it was hot and sunny. Only place to grab water and food was nearby petrol station/McDonalds and it was busy. This alternate pickup location was used as there were 2 cruise ships in port and regular pick up site was used for their excursions. Google if cruise ships are in Wellington when booking anything. The buzz of cruise ships in the City is fun but it makes the harbour front and tours very busy. ISite needs better signage indicating the location of tour bus pickup. It would save people from repeatedly going in to ask where the tour bus pick up was located. If you are picked up at your hotel, you are fine. I chose the ISite location as was housesitting nearby. FYI: ISite is the NZ tourist information centers throughout NZ. The Martinborough wines and people are worth it!