Marlborough Icons Wine Tour

Address: Courtesy pick up from your accommodation Telephone: +64 3 577 9997     0800 990 800 NZ Only

Marlborough Icons Tour including the three icons of Marlborough - Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the Marlborough Sounds and Marlborough Greenshell Mussels. Experience all three in a single day with the fine wines of Marlborough in the morning and the stunning Marlborough Sounds in the afternoon.

This tour is ideal for those who do not have their own transport and are staying in Picton or Blenheim. It is also ideal for those who would like to get out and really enjoy the wine and food of the Marlborough region without having to drive.

Departing by mini-coach each day over the summer season (1 Oct 2010 - 4 April 2011 and 1 Sept 2011 - 4 April 2011) from Picton and from Blenheim this "Icons" tour takes in the very best that Marlborough has to offer with a visit to some superb Marlborough wineries in the morning then through to the Havelock Marina for lunch and the afternoon Greenshell Mussel Cruise.

Itinerary

9.30am - collection by the Marlborough Travel coach in Picton from your accommodation or the Picton Waterfront (Collection from water taxis coming in from the lodges and resorts in the Queen Charlotte Sound).

10.00am - collection from central Blenheim accommodation and the Blenheim information centre at the Railway Station.

Head out into the stunning Marlborough wine region to sample the world famous Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough is renowned as the wine capital of New Zealand with over half of New Zealand’s wine grown in the region. Marlborough has gained a reputation as one of the finest wine-growing regions in the world. See why our Sauvignon Blanc is world famous, try the aromatic Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer or sample the complexities of our Merlot and Pinot Noir.

Visit Marlborough's Icon winery, Cloudy Bay, for a tasting of the range of award winning wines. Enjoy the Pelorus Bubbles, the Sauvignon Blanc, and the complexities of Te Koko Sauvignon and Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir. Visit "The Village" where you can try stunning wines from a selection of boutqiue wine companies, along with Prenzel Schnapps, Marlborough Olive oils or view the crafts of Quilters Barn.

After a morning of wine tastings we will head through to Havelock, the gateway to the Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds. Time to enjoy a nice lunch (own cost) at the Slip Inn Cafe before boarding the Marlborough Travel launch for the Greenshell Mussel Cruise.

Enjoy an informative and relaxing afternoon cruising the inner Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds. Take in the natural beauty of this tranquil environment, learn about the history of the Marlborough Sounds and the pioneering families who have settled here.

As we cruise out into the Marlborough Sounds you will be taking in the natural beauty and tranquility of this stunning area. Your experienced skipper has a wealth of knowledge about the Marlborough Sounds and the people who live here. His informative commentary will keep you entertained as you cruise through the inner Pelorus Sound and into the Kenepuru Sound.

During the cruise you will get to visit a Greenshell™ Mussel farm where your skipper will explain the intricacies of growing this delicacy in the Sounds. Learn the history of aquaculture in the Marlborough Sounds and the history of the pioneers who created this industry.

See the Mussels growing on longlines in the clean waters of the Marlborough Sounds. While at the mussel farm your Skipper will serve freshly steamed mussels and serve them with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This is a really neat wine and food experience in a beautiful part of Marlborough.

Fresh New Zealand Greenshell Mussels (Perna Canaliculus) are a native New Zealand Shellfish. Found nowere else in the World, these jade shelled beauties are cultivated on longlines throughout the Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds. They are easily recognised by their vibrant green and gold shell colouring. The plump tender meat is creamy white when the mussel is male and apricot to orange when the mussel is female.

4.30 pm - arrive back in the marina and reboard the coach for a 5.00pm drop off in Blenheim and a 5.30pm drop off in Picton. The end of a fantastic day out in Marlborough.