Top Wine Regions to Explore This Winter
18 August 2026 
Winter is a great time to slow down and explore New Zealand's wine regions. Cooler days offer plenty of opportunities to settle into cellar doors, enjoy local food and take your time discovering the wines and landscapes that make each region distinctive.
From the vineyards of Marlborough and Hawke's Bay to the island wineries of Waiheke and the dramatic landscapes of Central Otago, there are plenty of ways to build a winter trip around wine.
Whether you're looking for a flexible wine tour, a small-group tasting experience, a food and wine day out or a more active way to explore the vineyards, these regions offer something different to discover.
Here are some of the top wine regions and experiences to consider for your next winter trip.
1. Marlborough: Vineyards, Wine and Local Flavours
Marlborough is one of New Zealand's best-known wine regions, with vineyards spread across the Wairau Valley and a wide choice of cellar doors and wine experiences. It is particularly well known for Sauvignon Blanc, while the region also offers plenty of opportunities to discover other wines and local producers.
For a flexible way to explore, the Marlborough Hop on Hop off Wine and Beer Tour gives you the freedom to choose where you would like to stop during the day. The self-guided tour has 28 venues to choose from, including wineries, breweries, restaurants and other attractions, with transport, maps and a timetable provided. Tastings and lunch are at your own expense.
Marlborough Hop on Hop off Wine and Beer Tour
Picton, Marlborough
Hop on and discover the Wonders of Marlborough: Wineries, Museums, Activities, Breweries, Shopping, Restaurants, and more! A self-guided tour providing complete freedom of movement!
If you're staying in Picton, the Half-Day Wine Tour From Picton is an easy way to reach the vineyards without organising the driving yourself. The four-hour tour visits three carefully chosen wineries and includes complimentary pick-up from central Picton accommodation.
Half-Day Wine Tour From Picton
Picton, Marlborough
Depart from Picton and immerse yourself in the heart of the vineyards, where you will visit three carefully chosen wineries in an afternoon. Complimentary pick-up from your central Picton accommodation.
For a longer day among the vineyards, the Full-Day Wine Tour From Blenheim visits around five to six wineries and includes a winery lunch stop at your own cost. Complimentary pick-up is available from central Blenheim accommodation, as well as Blenheim Airport, bus terminals and train stations.
Full-Day Wine Tour From Blenheim
Blenheim, Marlborough
Depart from Blenheim and discover the diversity of this famous wine region by visiting approximately five wineries. A winery lunch stop is included in this tour.
With its concentration of vineyards and cellar doors, Marlborough makes it easy to build a wine-focused day around tastings, scenery and local food.
2. Waiheke Island: Wine with an Island Escape
Just a short journey from Auckland, Waiheke Island offers a different wine experience, combining vineyards with coastal scenery and an island atmosphere.
The Scenic Wine Tasting Tour takes you into Waiheke's vineyards with booked tastings at vineyard partners. The tour includes scenic travel between wineries, a local guide and the opportunity to enjoy the island's wine and scenery along the way.
Scenic Wine Tasting Tour
Waiheke Island, Auckland
If you’re looking for a world-class experience close to Auckland, look no further than Waiheke Wine Tours. We take you into the cellar door, guaranteed booked tastings with our vineyard partners. Incredible scenery alo ...
For a food and wine experience, the Sip & Savour Tour visits three to four boutique wineries across Waiheke Island, with wine tastings and opportunities to sample local produce, including award-winning olive oil and Te Matuku oysters when available.
Sip & Savour Tour
Waiheke Island, Auckland
Waiheke Sip & Savour Tour is about tantalising the taste buds, with some food pairings to complement your Waiheke Wine Tasting experience, followed by a delicious shared platter-style lunch + glass of wine.
A shared platter lunch with a glass of wine is included, while a scenic drive along Waiheke's beaches adds another way to experience the island. A local guide shares stories about Waiheke's history and culture throughout the tour.
3. Queenstown & Central Otago: Pinot Noir and Alpine Landscapes
Central Otago is one of New Zealand's distinctive wine regions, with the vineyards of Gibbston Valley providing an easy addition to a Queenstown itinerary. The surrounding alpine scenery gives wine tasting a very different setting from the country's coastal wine regions.
The Queenstown Afternoon Wine Tour takes you into Gibbston Valley for tastings at three premium, award-winning wineries, with more than 14 wines to sample. The experience combines wine tasting with views of the surrounding landscapes and Queenstown region.
Queenstown Afternoon Wine Tour
Queenstown
Afternoon Wine Tour: Sip Through the Valley of the Vines! Join us for an exciting afternoon in the stunning Gibbston Valley and Queenstown, where wine lovers can dive into a tasting experience in the world’s souther ...
For a more intimate option, the Queenstown Small Group Wine Tour travels through the heart of Central Otago's Gibbston Valley, visiting four award-winning cellar doors. Hosted tastings and a light platter are included, with the experience designed for a small group.
Queenstown Small Group Wine Tour
Queenstown
A small-group, intimate wine tour through the heart of Central Otago's Gibbston Valley — visiting four award-winning cellar doors, with hosted tastings, a light platter, and all the time in the world to savour one of N ...
Winter is also peak season in Queenstown and Wanaka because of skiing, so if you're planning to combine wine tasting with a winter trip, booking ahead is a good idea.
4. Gisborne: Cycling Through Wine Country
Gisborne offers a different way to explore New Zealand's wine country, with vineyards and country roads providing a scenic setting for a cycling day.
The Vineyard Cycle Tour combines cycling with wine tasting, giving you the chance to explore the vineyards while sampling some of Gisborne's Chardonnay. The five-hour experience provides bikes and helmets and includes a vineyard platter.
Vineyard Cycle Tour
Gisborne
Enjoy a day out cycling around the vineyards - sampling some of Gisborne's beautiful Chardonnay!
It's a different way to experience a wine region, combining time outdoors with local wine rather than travelling between cellar doors by vehicle.
5. Wairarapa: Martinborough Wine and Local Flavours
The Wairarapa is home to Martinborough, one of New Zealand's best-known wine areas, and is an easy addition to a trip from Wellington.
The Martinborough Foodie Half Day Tour from Wellington combines wine with locally produced food. The five-hour guided experience explores food destinations across the Wairarapa, including locally made cheese, chocolate and wine.
Martinborough Foodie Half Day Tour from Wellington
Wairarapa, Wellington
Experience a half-day culinary adventure in the beautiful Wairarapa. Delight in a locally guided tour that explores various world-class food destinations across the towns of the Wairarapa region. Discover locally made ch ...
It's a good choice if you'd like to experience Martinborough's wine country while also discovering some of the region's other local flavours.
6. Hawke's Bay: Wine Country by Bike
Hawke's Bay is another of New Zealand's major wine regions, with vineyards, countryside and coastal landscapes offering plenty to explore.
The Country to Coast self-guided tour combines cycling with Hawke's Bay's wine country. The experience takes you through scenic countryside and gives you the opportunity to visit wineries along the route.
Country to Coast self-guided tour
Hawkes Bay
Explore the best of Hawke's Bay, soak in the picturesque scenery, and treat yourself in world-class wineries
It's a different way to experience Hawke's Bay, combining wine, scenery and cycling rather than simply travelling between cellar doors.
Start Planning Your Winter Wine Escape
New Zealand's wine regions each offer something a little different. From Marlborough's extensive vineyards and Waiheke's island setting to the alpine landscapes of Central Otago, the food and wine of Wairarapa, and the cycling experiences of Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, there are plenty of ways to make wine part of a winter trip.
Take your time, explore beyond the cellar door and leave room to discover the local food, scenery and experiences that make each region unique.
Explore Marlborough, Waiheke Island, Queenstown, Gisborne, Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay on SeeAndDo to find more wine experiences for your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions about Top Wine Regions to Explore This Winter
Is winter a good time for a wine trip in New Zealand?
Yes. Winter is a great opportunity to explore New Zealands wine regions at a slower pace, with plenty of wine, food and cellar-door experiences to choose from. Each region offers something different, from Marlboroughs vineyards to Waiheke Island and Central Otago.
Which New Zealand wine regions are best to visit in winter?
Some of the countrys best-known wine regions include Marlborough, Waiheke Island, Central Otago, Gisborne, Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay. The best choice depends on the type of experience youre looking for, whether thats guided tastings, food and wine, cycling or exploring vineyards independently.
Do I need to book wine tours in advance?
Its a good idea to book ahead, particularly for popular tours and small-group experiences. This is especially important if youre visiting Queenstown or Wanaka during winter, when the region is in peak season for skiing.
Can I visit New Zealand wineries without joining a tour?
Yes, some wineries and cellar doors can be visited independently, but requirements vary between venues. If youre not driving, organised wine tours and self-guided experiences with transport can be an easier way to explore several wineries in one day.
Which wine region is closest to Auckland?
Waiheke Island is one of the easiest wine destinations to visit from Auckland. You can combine a trip to the island with vineyard visits, wine tastings and time exploring the coastal scenery.
What wine is New Zealand best known for?
New Zealand is particularly well known for Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough and Pinot Noir from Central Otago, although the countrys wine regions produce a much wider range of wines.