About Wine Trail Magic Cycling & Wine Tasting Tour - 5 Day

Day 1. Arrival in Blenheim

Blenheim in the heart of New Zealand’s Marlborough district is a busy country town full of interesting shops and cafes. An hour’s stroll will take you from historical buildings to modern architecture. Pollard Park  nearby has wonderful gardens, a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts and a fitness trail.
Hotel d`Urville is a fine and elegant boutique hotel situated within the historic Public Trust Building in the centre of Blenheim. We suggest you spend the afternoon exploring the local area. For an excellent evening meal in a delightful setting, the d`Urville Wine Bar and Brasserie may be just the perfect place.

Day 2. Blenheim to The Bell Tower

We suggest you start your first cycling day in a leisurely fashion. Your destination today is a boutique lodge, situated amidst stunning scenery overlooking Marlborough's vineyards. En route, why not cycle to
the Wither Hills Walkway and enjoy a brisk walk to the Lookout. From here you have an excellent view over Blenheim and the Wairau Plains. Then cycle half way back, turn left into New Renwick Road and after a couple of kilometres, left again into Ben Morven Road, which starts off very flat but gradually takes you to the elevated site of Fran Maguire`s pottery studio. Fran is an artist with a passion for clay and food, which is reflected in her brightly coloured, unique tableware. Visit Villa Maria Estate on Paynters Road before turning left into New Renwick Road where you can visit Matua Marlborough and Fromm Winery,
which are two well established vineyards. Take a late lunch at the Tuscan style Highfield Estate Winery. Arrive at The Bell Tower Boutique Lodge on Dog Point early afternoon ready to be spoiled.
Cycling: approx 25km

Day 3. The Bell Tower to Old Saint Mary’s Convent

Wake to the calls of a host of native song birds. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and prepare yourself for a day of quality wine tasting. Cycling from The Bell Tower Boutique Lodge, turn left into Dog Point Road, then right onto Hawkesbury Road and left to Middle Renwick Road. On your left is Waihopai Valley Road, where you can explore Grove Mill winery with its award winning wines, extensive wine library and gallery. Seresin Estate in Bedford Road is another exciting and stylish winery. Only the grapes grown on the estate are used in the production of the wine.
Framingham Wine Company on Conders Bend Road is a ‘must see’ with Rex Brooke Taylor being a terrific host.

Then turn right onto Highway 6 and make your way to Cellier le Brun with its unique underground cellars. It is a perfect place to have lunch before you go back along Highway 6 to Forrest Estate, which is run by John & Brigid Forrest who produce and market their own diverse range of wines. Perhaps call in at the well known Hunter’s winery on Rapaura Rd before continuing on to the charming and character-full Old Saint Mary’s Convent built in 1901. We suggest you choose Gibbs Restaurant for your dinner venue tonight. Your hosts will be happy to assist with a reservation and transport.
Cycling: approx 20km

Day 4. Old Saint Mary’s Convent to The Peppertree

Your route today will offer at least four other vineyards of note. At the family owned Allan Scott Winery in Jackson Road taste premium award winning wines in a unique setting. Just opposite is the winery that took New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc wine from “curiosity to respectability” - Cloudy Bay. Then turn left into Old Renwick Road and left again into Hammerichs Road to visit Drylands Estate, which offers state-of-the-art wine production. Saint Clair, back on the corner of Rapaura and Selmes Road is a good place for lunch, before the final stop for the day which could be ‘Price`s Traditional Country Preserves’.
If today is your last day’s cycling, follow the route map via Dwers & Thompsons Roads to Spokesman Cycles in Blenheim, where you can leave your bikes (by 4.30pm please). Here you can ring Werner at the Peppertree and ask him to transfer you to his gracious edwardian villa.
Alternatively, cycle to ‘The Peppertree’ via the scenic route. From Thompsons Road go straight ahead into Murphy’s Road which leads into Batty’s Road. Then turn left into Alabama Road until you reach State
Highway 1, where you turn right and cycle approximately 1km (this short section of road can be busy). The Pepprtree entrance will be on your right hand side. Enjoy your last evening at this historic homestead.
There are many good restaurants to choose locally or let your hosts Heidi and Werner know that you would like to have dinner at their place.
Cycling: approx 25km

Day 5. Departure from Blenheim

Enjoy a country style breakfast in the rich ambience of the dining room and stroll around the lovely garden before your tour ends. If you dropped your bikes off at ‘Spokesman Cycles’ yesterday, Marlborough Supershuttle will collect you and your luggage around mid morning and transfer you to a location of your choice in the Blenheim town centre. If you need the transfer at a specific time, please call Bryon
Schwass in advance on 03-572-9910. If you cycled to ‘The Peppertree’ yesterday, you will need to return your bikes to ‘Spokesman Cycles’ today (by 4.30pm please). Your luggage will be transferred to the bike shop approx mid morning.

Tour Information

 Tour includes:

• 4 nights accommodation in 4-5 star boutique hotels and lodges
• 4 breakfasts
• Luggage transfers between accommodation properties
  
• Multi-geared bicycle with helmet and pannier
• Suggested route notes, map and regional information

Tour Grade

This tour is graded 1/2 Easy. Further information about our tour grades is available here.

How To Book

Pacific Cycle Tours is the market leader in NZ packaged cycling holidays. Our highly experienced travel consultants can arrange every aspect of your cycling trip including flights and travel insurance. To streamline the booking process it is best to start by using the check prices button, then simply select the dates for your trip and our system will email you a realtime Quick Quote. No strings attached.

From there you can keep browsing our range for other options or continue the simple online enquiry process. Alternatively you can phone our office to discuss your cycling trip directly and ask any questions you may have regarding your itinerary. Our friendly consultants are standing by to assist with your travel plans.