Picton was one of four ports in New Zealand on our 17 night Australia and New Zealand cruise on the Radiance of the Seas. We had a short day in port, beginning at 1:00 and departing at 6:00 pm. It was also our first port so the process of getting off the ship for many was a new experience.

The Picton port is a working port with lumber everywhere so patience is needed in navigating the best place to wait for a tour shuttle. Our leader wisely suggested that the ten of us meet on the ship and proceed off the ship as a group. We also learned it is important to get in line early to depart as an independent group of cruisers.

The tour was arranged for a group of 10 by another cruiser. NIcci was our driver and tour leader. She packed a lot into the short afternoon, stopping at four wineries and a chocolate factory for a quick sweet sample. Nicci is knowledgeable about the area and its wineries and provides interesting and informative commentary throughout the tour. We would not hesitate to recommend Nicci and Marlborough Tours.

Our group of ten were on a cruise ship with a short stop in Picton (1:00 TO 6:00) and we wanted a personalized tour of the Marlborough wine region with as much as we could fit in the 4 hours available. After corresponding with Marlborough Tours I was convinced they were the best for the job.

Lynn picked us up shipside at 1:30 and we zoomed to Marlborough, before a few miles I knew we were going to have a good time. Our first stop was Seresin and by then Lynn seemed more like friend than a tour guide. We also visited Gibson Bridge, Wairau River, and Natutlius. Then I asked for specific winery (Huia) that wasn’t on her list, she called them and got us in. Lynn knew the region and the wineries.

She got us back to the ship a little around 5:20 , so in a little less than 4 hours we covered 5 wineries and made back to ship with time to spare. When we finally departed, it was like leaving one of traveling buddies behind.

I would highly recommend Marlborough Tours, and ask for Lynn (she and her husband own the company) and if you’re luck she’ll be availble.

This was the 3rd wine tour we did in NZ and it was good to see and taste the difference between Marlborough wines compared with other regions (Waiheke and Bay of Islands were the others we did). Kevin our guide was friendly and knowledgable and a good driver (important as I'm an anxious passenger). We visited 5 wineries and Kevin seemed to know what we wanted as he ended with a visit to a superb 'champagne' type winery (or methode champenoise if you want to be precise, this not being France...). We stopped for lunch and again Kevin chose the right place as we only wanted a platter rather than a full lunch. Very enjoyable; we did the medium tour and I think this was sufficient - not sure how anyone can do a longer tour and still be standing!