This month I had the pleasure of traveling to Marlborough, New Zealand for a wine lover’s weekend. Cloudy Bay invited me on a food and wine loving journey through the vineyards and fjords of Marlborough and one of the most memorable dining experiences I have ever had. new zealand. This is your complete guide to Marlborough, designed to help you get the most out of your visit to New Zealand’s most famous wine region.
Food and Wine: New Zealand Marlborough
It’s no secret that Marlborough is a hero of the New Zealand wine market and home to some of the most famous Sauvignon Blanc around the world. As you would expect from such a prestigious wine region, the dining scene perfectly complements the wines.
My favorite restaurant in Marlborough is also the most highly rated and its name is pavilion. The menu changes seasonally and focuses on the season’s heroic products. Despite having some of the most original and perfect cuisine I have experienced (all over the world), what really made this restaurant stand out to me is that it is family-owned, has been run by the same family for years, and has a homely atmosphere that is contagious. If you only go to one restaurant in Marlborough, make it this one.
Wine, of course, is Marlborough’s hero and the reason most tourists travel north to the South Island. Read below for the best vineyards and cellar doors to visit in Marlborough.
Marlborough’s most memorable vineyards
We were visiting the countryside together, cloudy bay I have to be biased to say that this is my favorite vineyard in the Marlborough region (also because I spend so much time here!) Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most famous and noteworthy in the world. Stop by the cellar door and have a taste! If you have time to squeeze in a cheese and wine pairing (and who doesn’t?!), don’t miss the opportunity to sample Crunchy Goat Cheese products. i promise. This is a recommendation you’ll thank me for later.
Brancott Estate It shares equal status with Cloudy Bay, so if you’re a Sauvignon Blanc lover, you should definitely visit both vineyards in combination. This is where the first Sauvignon Blanc vines were planted, changing the direction of the region and putting it on the wine industry map.
cloudy bay vineyard
The purpose of my trip was to visit Cloudy Bay and focus on tasting wine. (I don’t think anyone would say yes to this)I have more to say about Cloudy Bay since I spent so much time here.
Wine tasting at Cloudy Bay Cellar Door is almost a must for any visitor to Marlborough. The cellar door is large but simple and offers a variety of tastings and food and wine pairings. This vineyard is only a 5-minute drive from the airport, so make it your first stop as soon as you get off the plane for a warm welcome to the area.
Sailing the Marlborough Sounds
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re planning an extensive itinerary to New Zealand’s South Island. If so, you’ve probably heard of the famous Milford Sound. If you’re like me, you’ll find equally beautiful (though less dramatic) sounds in other parts of the South Island, and you’d never guess that one of those places is in Marlborough.
The Marlborough Sounds are a network of sunken valleys in the northern part of the South Island, most commonly visited by travelers when taking a ferry in either direction from the North Island. If you have the time and resources, be sure to set aside a day on the water and enjoy the area’s beautiful surroundings.
Plan your trip to Marlborough
New Zealand enjoys four distinct seasons each year, so timing your visit is important. The busiest months to visit Marlborough are June and August, so expect higher prices and crowded restaurants and vineyards. If you want nice weather and avoid the crowds, you can’t go wrong with visiting in November or December.
You can reach Marlborough by road trip or by plane. If you choose to land by plane, consider landing at the easily accessible Blenheim Airport, or landing in Wellington and taking the ferry from the south of the North Island to the north of the South Island.