The 15 Best New Zealand Drinks Tours

1.Waiheke island Wine Tours – PREMIUM wine tasting MAX 11 clients !

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,378 reviews · from $155Our pick

Meet guide Oliver, Glenn, or Melita at Waiheke’s Matiatia Wharf for a six-hour tour of scenic island roads and three boutique vineyards. Premium tastings, a food and wine pairing, commentary, bottled water, and island transport are included. Ferry tickets and lunch are extra, and groups are limited to 11 people.

“Wonderful tour! It is a great way to see the island and try some of their wine and see some stunning views! Our guide was great! I was lucky to have lots of other solo travellers on my tour which made it fun! I suggest not booking anything else too soon after the tour, so that you can enjoy lunch with the group and spend more time on the island. A must do!”

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2.Waiheke Island Wineries’ Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 934 reviews · 6 hours · from $110

Meet your Enjoi guide at Waiheke Ferry Terminal after the 10am ferry from Auckland. Spend six hours visiting four or more wineries, tasting local wines, enjoying island views, and taking a 1.5-hour lunch break. Guides such as Justin, David, Luca, and Sherrie add local stories and easygoing company. Ferry fare and lunch cost extra.

“We enjoyed our tour. Our tour guide was fun and knowledgeable. It's obvious she has good connections with the wineries which will benefit future guests. The bus was good, but a little old. We enjoyed the stops and the views.”

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3.Boutique Wine Tour – visit Central Otago, 4 Wineries & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 673 reviews · from $173

Travel from Queenstown with a local guide such as Ben, John, Phil, or Evie to four Central Otago cellar doors. Taste Pinot Noir and other cool-climate wines, share a platter lunch, and see Lake Hayes, the Remarkables, Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Cromwell. Pickup, transport, tastings, and lunch are included.

“We visited four cellar doors with a Mother’s Day lunch at Carrick Winery. Beautiful fall views along the way. We had a very personal tour with lots of history along the way.”

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4.Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 632 reviews · from $164

Spend about six hours touring four Gibbston Valley wineries from Queenstown in a luxury Mercedes van. You’ll visit Gibbston Valley, Kinross, Mt Rosa, and Ayrburn, tasting several wines at each stop. Guides such as Lee, Do, Allegra, Beth, and Leonie add local stories, timing, and good humor, while hotel pickup keeps the day easy.

“What an amazing day! Visits 4 great vinyards. A sample of Central Otagos finest. Our guide/sober driver, Beth, was superb and so knowledgeable of the area. We learnt so much, about the history of wine, local famous wine makers and Queesntown and surrounds. A must do tour for any tourist/wine lover.”

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5.Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 510 reviews · 5 hours · from $173

Meet your local Waiheke guide at Matiatia Wharf, then visit three boutique vineyards for tastings of wines such as rosé, Pinot Gris, Syrah, and Bordeaux blends. You will also enjoy lunch and a glass of wine at Three Seven Two, an award-winning beachfront restaurant in Onetangi. Guides may include Rob, Debbie, Caleb, Karen, or Nooroa.

“We had an amazing tour on Waiheke island, we had 3 stop offs and there were 3 tastings at the first 2 and 4 tastings at the last one, our driver was absolutely amazing and so funny !! His name was nooro ( apologies if I spelt that wrong ) lunch included was so good”

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6.Waiheke Island Premium Wine Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 504 reviews · from $111

Meet your guide at Matiatia Ferry Terminal for a six-hour Waiheke wine outing. You’ll visit three or four changing boutique vineyards, taste three to five wines at each, and stop for lunch at one vineyard. Guides such as Michelle, David, and Onny add island stories between stops. Ferry tickets and lunch are extra.

“Michelle was a wonderful guide and we had a very enjoyable afternoon tasting wines and enjoying the beauty of Waiheke Island!”

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7.Taste of Waiheke Food and Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 465 reviews · from $179

Spend about seven hours exploring Waiheke Island by ferry and air-conditioned vehicle. Taste wines at three vineyards, sample olive oil at Allpress Olive Groves, and enjoy a two-course lunch at Batch Winery. Guides such as Victor and Kai add island stories and humor, but you must collect ferry tickets in Auckland and meet the guide on Waiheke.

“This tour was a great day on the island. The bus driver was very knowledgable about the island as she lives on it year round. The wineries are stunningly beautiful. We also loved the olive oil tasting and stop..it was actually our favourite part.”

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8.Beyond the Vines – Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 438 reviews · from $136

Spend about six hours visiting five Marlborough wineries by air-conditioned vehicle, tasting Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and more. Guides such as Gavin, Hamish, Lynley, and Keith bring local wine knowledge and easy humor. Pickup is available from central Picton or Blenheim, with lunch purchased separately.

“Knowledgeable and friendly wine staff and our traveling companions including Phil our driver . Didn’t know we could get picked up at our Airbnb; that would have been a bit more convenient. Overall a really enjoyable day!”

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9.Queenstown: Afternoon Wine & Beer Tour with Platters

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 363 reviews · from $158

Spend four hours tasting Central Otago wine and local craft beer in Gibbston, with stops at GT Tasting Room, Kinross Cellar Door, and Altitude Brewing. Your driver-guide handles the roads, explains the region, and keeps the group moving. Choose wine or beer along the way, then share antipasti at the final stop.

“Had the best time thanks to Stuart on the twilight tour. He was lovely company and also very educational on the areas we visited. The weather wasn’t great but we all still managed to make the most of it. I would highly recommend this tour to my friends.”

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10.WAIHEKE ZEITGEIST Small Groups Ultra Boutique Off Grid Wine Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 333 reviews · from $150

Meet Grant at Matiatia Ferry Terminal for a six-hour small-group tour of Waiheke Island. After coffee in Oneroa, visit family-run wineries, taste up to 15 premium wines, enjoy small food pairings, hear island stories, and stop for an optional lunch. Groups are limited to nine.

“We had a great day with Grant and would highly recommend his tour. He knows the best places on the island and is a great person to spend time with. We hope to return soon!”

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11.Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 290 reviews · 5 hours · from $188

Spend five hours tasting Waiheke wine and local food with an Ananda Tours guide such as Grant, Craig, Nick, or Michael. Visit three vineyards, sample oysters or smoked salmon, try olive oil, enjoy a family-style lunch at Casita Miro, then finish with whisky, beer, or wine at The Heke.

“Really well organised and Pau made it so enjoyable. Loved the little anecdotes about living in Waiheke and recommendations of places to eat and stay with future visits etc”

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12.Top-Rated Hawke’s Bay Wine Tour – Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 256 reviews · from $111

Spend four to five hours touring Hawke’s Bay by air-conditioned minivan, with pickup in Napier, Hastings, or Havelock North. Your guide takes a maximum of 11 people to up to four wineries, mixing larger estates with small producers. Tastings, commentary, water, and a cheeseboard are included, though Craggy Range tasting fees and lunch are not.

“Amanda was knowledgeable and attentive to details. She made sure to know the type of wines we prefer and adjusted accordingly. It was well worth the time and money to have a local take you to the various location. Give it a go you won’t be disappointed.”

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13.Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 221 reviews · 1 day · from $41Best value

Start with hotel pickup from Blenheim or Renwick, then collect a bike, helmet, lock, and wine map at Vines Village. Staff help shape your route before you pedal between up to 12 nearby wineries. Expect easy roads, cellar-door tastings, cafés, and flexible timing. E-bikes, child bikes, and baby seats cost extra.

“Great day, what a fantastic way to visit the wineries!”

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14.Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 218 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $113

Join a local Kiwi guide for a 4 or 5 hour Waiheke wine tour from Matiatia Wharf. Choose four wineries and lunch time by minibus, or a shorter double-decker outing with two wineries, charcuterie, onboard tastings, a beach walk, and Oneroa Village.

“Really enjoyed the tour, Caleb was a great host and all the wineries we visited provided an awesome experience plus a great learning experience. I would definitely recommend this tour.”

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15.Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 206 reviews · from $43

You’ll be collected from your Blenheim or Renwick accommodation and taken to The Vines Village, where staff fit your bike, helmet, vest, lock, and basket. With a detailed wine map and local advice, you choose the cellar doors and lunch stops. E-bikes, tandems, kids’ bikes, and free bottle collection make this a flexible six-hour outing.

“A truly wonderful experience with so many opportunities to taste the vast array of wines available in the region. The electric bikes made getting from cellar door to cellar door a much more pleasant experience!”

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