Easy Self-Guided Wine Tour on Foot

First Stop: Nautilus Estate

Nautilus Estate is just a short 500-metre walk from Vintners Retreat, making it the perfect starting point for your tour. Upon arrival, you have several tasting options to choose from:

·         A Taste of Nautilus Estate (allow 25 minutes): Sample four wines from their current release portfolio.

·         Reserve Tasting (allow 35 minutes): Enjoy four wines from their award-winning limited release selection, including single vineyard, reserve, and museum releases.

·         Pinot Noir Tasting (allow 35 minutes): Experience the diversity of Marlborough Pinot Noir with a curated flight of four wines, featuring a rare museum release.

Book your tasting online now at Nautilus Estate of Marlborough. 

The cellar door is open from 10am to 4.30pm.

Next Stop: Framingham Wine

After your tasting at Nautilus Estate, continue your self-guided wine tour by following the footpath/ cyclepath along Highway 6 to Framingham Wine. The walk is approximately 1.2 kilometres (0.7 miles), making it a leisurely stroll through the picturesque Marlborough landscape.

Let their cellar door hosts guide you through a seated tasting of up to 6 wines from their classic Framingham range, limited edition F-Series, and thier organic True Nature label.

Wander the vineyard or venture downstairs to explore the cellar, where they keep vintages past and present.

Book your tasting online now at Framingham Winery

The cellar door is open 10:30 until 4:30pm.

Optional Next Stop: Bladen Wines

After you have completed your tasting experience at Framingham Wine, continue your journey by heading to Bladen Wines. The winery is conveniently located just 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) further along Conders Bend Road, making it an easy stroll from Framingham. This short walk allows you to further immerse yourself in the beautiful Marlborough scenery as you explore the next destination on your self-guided wine tour.

Bladen Wines invites guests to participate in their Taste and Tour sessions, offered daily at three set times: 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. Each tasting experience lasts approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, providing ample opportunity to explore and savour a selection of their wines in a guided setting.

Bookings are not required for these sessions; however, guests are encouraged to arrive at least ten minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure their place, as each tasting is conducted as a closed session once underway. This ensures a focused and uninterrupted experience for all participants.

For more information visit Bladen Wines

Next Stop: Forrest Wine

After your tasting experience at Framingham Winery, you can choose to continue your wine tour by heading to Forrest Wine, located just 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) away. This easy stroll makes Forrest Wine an accessible next stop as you explore the Marlborough region.

Alternatively, if you decide to include Bladen Wines in your itinerary after Framingham, Forrest Winery is situated 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) from Bladen.

Walk-ins are always welcome - no booking is required. Although they do not have a restaurant, they offer freshly prepared cheese platters, thoughtfully curated to complement your wine experience

At Forrest, they believe the best way to enjoy wine is your way. Whether you’re indulging in their signature tasting tray, savouring a glass of your favourite, or exploring a new varietal, they invite you to discover their wines at your own pace. This is the Forrest way—relaxed, welcoming, and always encouraging you to find your own path.

For more information visit Forrest Wines

The cellar door is open from 10am to 4.30pm

Next Stop and Lunch: Boom Town Beer Garden

The Boom Town Beer Garden is a park-like area situated within the grounds of Forrest Winery. This inviting outdoor space has been thoughtfully designed for all visitors to enjoy, providing a relaxing and scenic setting to complement your wine touring experience with a tasting of the local Boom Town beers.

Guests can look forward to a variety of food options, as there are typically two food trucks on site, offering a diverse selection of tasty fare. The Beer Garden operates from 12 noon to 6 pm, Wednesday through Sunday, making it an ideal spot to unwind and savour both food and drink during your visit to the Marlborough region.

For more information click here Boom Town Beer Garden

If you find yourself eager to continue exploring the region’s offerings after your visit to Forrest Wine and Boom Town Beer Garden, there are additional tasting experiences available nearby.

Optional Stop: Gibson Bridge Wines

Just 1.2 kilometres (0.7 miles) from Forrest Winery, you will find Gibson Bridge, a boutique winery renowned for its focus on Pinot Gris. While Pinot Gris remains their signature grape variety, Gibson Bridge also produces limited quantities of Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Gewurztraminer. This diverse yet carefully managed selection offers visitors a unique opportunity to taste a range of distinct wines produced in small batches, reflecting the character and craftsmanship of this family-owned vineyard.

For more information Gibson bridge Vineyard

The cellar door is open 12:00 until 4:00pm

Final Stop: Wairau River Cellar Door

The last stop on your tasting journey is the Wairau River Cellar Door. To reach Wairau River from Gibson Bridge, you will enjoy a pleasant walk of 2.3 kilometres (1.4 miles).

If you prefer a slightly shorter route, returning from Forrest Winery to Wairau River is just 1.8 kilometres (1.1 miles). Either option provides a scenic way to conclude your exploration of the region’s renowned wineries.

The Wairau River Cellar Door offers guests the opportunity to participate in self-guided tastings, providing a flexible and enjoyable way to sample a selection of their current releases. Visitors can explore both Estate and Reserve ranges at their own pace, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate taking their time to savour each wine.

This experience is particularly well-suited for groups of friends or family members wishing to socialise while discovering new flavours together. Alternatively, individuals who prefer a more independent tasting journey will find the self-guided format allows for a personalised and relaxed visit.

At the Wairau River Cellar Door, guests are invited to choose from four distinct tasting options. These thoughtfully curated tasting flights provide a great way to experience the breadth of wines on offer. If time allows, visitors may wish to sample more than one flight to fully appreciate the range available.

Each tasting flight includes four glasses, each poured at 30ml, ensuring a balanced and enjoyable tasting experience.

·         A Taste of Wairau

·         Reserve Selection

·         Aromatic and Fragrant

·         Summer Sips

For bookings or more information on Wairau River

The cellar door is open 10:00 until 4:30pm

Return to Vintners Retreat

After enjoying your tasting experience at the Wairau River Cellar Door, your accommodation at Vintners Retreat is conveniently located just 350 metres (0.2 miles) away. This short stroll provides a gentle transition from the vibrant atmosphere of the cellar door back to the comfort of your lodgings.

Once you arrive at Vintners Retreat, you can unwind and make the most of the facilities available. If the weather is favourable, take the opportunity to relax by the swimming pool and reflect on your day of exploring the region’s renowned wineries.

Important Information for Visitors

Please note that there are charges associated with all wine tasting options referenced in this article. Guests should be aware of these fees when planning their visit to any of these cellar doors or selecting any of the available tasting flights.

We also recommend that you confirm the current opening hours and days of operation before your visit. Up-to-date information can be found through the web links provided, ensuring you have the most accurate details for your plans.

Posted by Mike Royston on October 16, 2025