Travel Tips
NZ Wine Regions Road Trip — Marlborough, Hawke's Bay & Central Otago
New Zealand punches above its weight in wine. Here's how to string the three great regions into one road trip — and yes, we tell you who's driving.
The Nomado Team · 7 July 2026 · 9 min read
Photo: Olivier Lemoine (https://Photo-Terroir.fr) · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Marlborough — sauvignon blanc capital
Based in Blenheim or Renwick. Cellar doors we love: Cloudy Bay, Framingham, Nautilus, Wither Hills. Hire bikes from Explore Marlborough — safer than driving between tastings.
Hawke's Bay — bordeaux blends & syrah
Based in Napier or Havelock North. Craggy Range, Elephant Hill, Sileni, Black Barn. Best paired with a walk up Te Mata Peak at golden hour.
Central Otago — pinot noir country
Based in Cromwell, Bannockburn or Gibbston (Queenstown area). Felton Road, Rippon (lakeside near Wanaka), Amisfield, Peregrine. Pair with a day at the Milford Sound road trip or Queenstown.
Rules for driving between wineries
NZ limit is 0.05 mg/mL (0 for under-20s). One tasting = one 25 mL sample. Play it safe — always have a dedicated driver, or use a tour operator between tastings.
Suggested 10-day wine route
1. Fly into Napier → 3 nights Hawke's Bay 2. Drive to Wellington → ferry 3. 2 nights Marlborough 4. Drive south via Kaikoura → Christchurch 5. Drive Christchurch → Cromwell (3 nights Central Otago) 6. Return via Lindis Pass — see our 10-day South Island loop
Which car?
A mid-size SUV fits four adults + case wine + luggage comfortably. Pickup at Auckland or Christchurch.
Related reading
Book your car — because wine tastes better with a view.
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