Taste.
The ultimate guide to exploring Marlborough's cellar doors this winter
Allan Scott Family Winemakers
Marlborough's winter wine trail
Marlborough is New Zealand's most celebrated wine region, and winter is one of the most rewarding times to visit.
With fewer crowds, relaxed cellar door experiences and cosy vineyard restaurants, the cooler months are an ideal time to leisurely explore the region's famous trail, offering a more personal way to discover the wines that have made Marlborough famous around the world.
Cellar door and restaurant opening days and hours can vary during the cooler months, so we've created this guide to Marlborough's winter cellar doors and cellar door eateries, with their opening hours in the winter months (June to the end of September).
You'll also find recommendations on where you can visit each day of the week, making it easy to plan a winter wine trail that's tailored to your interests.
More than 20 Marlborough wineries and cellar doors are open in the winter, ranging from iconic Sauvignon Blanc producers to boutique family-owned vineyards. Check out their locations on our winter cellar door map.
All wineries featured are within a short drive of St Leonards Vineyard Cottages, making our vineyard accommodation the perfect base for exploring the region. We've included distances from St Leonards, cellar door information, dining options and direct links to winery websites so you can easily plan your own Marlborough wine adventure.
The St Leonards team hosts wine travellers year-round and regularly assists our guests with winery, wine tour and dining recommendations in Marlborough. Explore our boutique vineyard accommodation options, based in the heart of Marlborough's wine country.
Tip: Most cellar doors are quieter during winter, making it one of the best times of year to enjoy personalised tastings and lunch reservations.
Last updated: June 2026.
The team at St Leonards Vineyard Cottages personally verifies winter opening hours directly with Marlborough cellar doors and updates this guide throughout the season.
Cellar doors at a glance
Tastings by appointment
Cellar door eateries*
Daily planner
Is there a particular day or days you're planning to visit Marlborough's cellar doors this winter?
See which cellar doors and vineyard eateries are open each day of the week.
Choose a day
Open Monday
Cellar doors
Cellar door eateries*
* Includes cellar door restaurants and platter offerings
Open Tuesday
Cellar doors
Cellar door eateries*
* Includes cellar door restaurants and platter offerings
Open Wednesday
Cellar doors
Cellar door eateries*
* Includes cellar door restaurants and platter offerings
Open Thursday
Cellar doors
The Fancy Cow | Ant Moore Wines
Cellar door eateries*
The Fancy Cow | Ant Moore Wines
* Includes cellar door restaurants and platter offerings
Open Friday
Cellar doors
The Fancy Cow | Ant Moore Wines
Cellar door eateries*
The Fancy Cow | Ant Moore Wines
* Includes cellar door restaurants and platter offerings
Open Saturday
Cellar doors
The Fancy Cow | Ant Moore Wines
Cellar door eateries*
The Fancy Cow | Ant Moore Wines
* Includes cellar door restaurants and platter offerings
Open Sunday
Cellar doors
The Fancy Cow | Ant Moore Wines
Cellar door eateries*
The Fancy Cow | Ant Moore Wines
* Includes cellar door restaurants and platter offerings
Allan Scott Family Winemakers | Allan Scott Bistro
Cellar door open daily, 10am-4pm (platters available)
Bistro open daily, 11.30am-3pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 4km (4 minute drive)
The Allan Scott Wines cellar door has a relaxed, self-guided style.
Enjoy tasting wines at your own pace using the winery's enomatic wine dispensers – which keep wines at their optimum quality for tastings.
Alongside the cellar door, the Allan Scott Bistro is a popular vineyard restaurant, known for seasonal menus, local produce and long lunches.
Allan Scott Family Winemakers | Allan Scott Bistro
Astrolabe Small Town Winery
Open Sun-Wed, 10am-8pm
Open Thu-Sat, 10am-9pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 5km (7 minute drive)
Astrolabe Small Town Winery offers a welcoming wine tasting experience in its contemporary barrel hall central Blenheim – one of Marlborough's only cellar door experiences open late, offering tasting experiences to suit your timeframe.
The family-owned cellar door and wine bar is open throughout the winter with casual and guided tastings available as well as wines, craft beers, cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, and charcuterie style menu.
Join a bi-weekly blind tasting night or enjoy Flora’s Hotdogs (every Friday from 12pm – late) as well as meals by Chocolate & Ginger on Sundays from 4pm.
Astrolabe Small Town Winery
Auntsfield
Tastings by appointment
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 9km (9 minute drive)
Auntsfield Estate offers one of Marlborough's most unique wine experiences, combining outstanding wines with a rich connection to the region's winemaking history.
Located on a picturesque hillside vineyard south of Blenheim, the family-owned winery is home to the site of Marlborough's first registered vineyard – dating back to the 1870s. The estate's beautiful setting and historic significance make it a memorable destination for visitors seeking a deeper understanding of Marlborough wine.
Auntsfield
Clos Henri
Open Mon-Fri, 11am-12.30pm (final tasting 12noon)
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 13km (13 minute drive)
Clos Henri offers a taste of France in the heart of Marlborough.
Established by the Bourgeois family of Sancerre, France, the estate combines generations of French winemaking expertise with the unique soils and climate of New Zealand's most famous wine region.
The elegant cellar door overlooks the vineyard and provides a relaxed setting to discover the wines and philosophy behind this family-owned estate.
Clos Henri
Cloudy Bay | Saku at Cloudy Bay
Open Thurs-Mon, 10am-4pm (final tasting 3.15pm)
Saku open Thurs-Fri, 11am-3pm and 4pm-8pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 4km (4 minute drive)
Set among beautifully landscaped gardens and vineyards, Cloudy Bay is one of the closest cellar doors to St Leonards Vineyard Cottages and offers a refined atmosphere where visitors can experience some of New Zealand's most celebrated wines.
Located close to St Leonards Vineyard Cottages, the winery's elegant tasting spaces and picturesque surroundings make it one of the region's most 'must do' cellar door destinations.
Private experiences are offered daily (subject to availability), for guests who are interested in an in-depth private tasting and tour.
The estate is also home to Saku, Cloudy Bay's Japanese-inspired restaurant, making it an ideal stop for visitors looking to combine exceptional wine with an unforgettable dining experience.
Cloudy Bay
Dog Point
Tastings by appointment – Mon-Fri, 11am
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 8km (8 minute drive)
Dog Point Vineyard offers an immersive wine experience, combining premium wines with an in-depth look at the vineyards and winemaking philosophy behind them.
Visitors can join a member of the Dog Point team for a personalised vineyard tour and tasting experience. The tour includes a drive through the vineyard, insights into the estate's organic farming practices, and a seated tasting of four current-release wines alongside a cellared Library wine.
This intimate format provides a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Marlborough wine directly from the people who produce it.
Dog Point
Forrest Wines
Open daily, 10am-4.30pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 10km (9 minute drive)
Forrest is known for pushing beyond the expected, from Albariño and Chenin Blanc through to rarer varieties like Lagrein and Petit Manseng, as well as naturally lighter alcohol wines using vineyard techniques to slow sugar development while keeping full flavour – giving guests the chance to taste something a little different, all in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Over the cooler months, settle in for relaxed tastings inside, with a cosy indoor setting and roaring fire. On the first Sunday of each month, Forrest hosts Cosy Sunday Sessions, with live music adding to the atmosphere.
Forrest Wines
Framingham
Open daily, 10.30am-4.30pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 10km (9 minute drive)
Framingham is renowned for producing character-driven wines and has developed a particularly strong reputation for aromatic varieties including Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris.
Bespoke VIP winery tours and tastings are available – email the winery to enquire.
FROMM
Open Fri-Sun, 11am-4pm | Mon-Thurs by appointment
Closed 29 June - 12 July
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 5km (5 minute drive)
FROMM specialises in red wines and organic practices, reflecting European style and Kiwi ingenuity.
From vineyard to glass, FROMM produces exciting New World wines using Old World practices, and continues to use cork as its preferred bottle closure.
FROMM is turning on its fairy lights and lighting the candles in their winery to create their Enchanted Evenings, every Friday and Saturday in June. Enjoy mulled wines and FROMM wines, and dine on cheese and charcuterie platters, nourishing hot food, and a ‘make your own Raclette” using their Swiss-imported Raclette machines.
FROMM
Gibson Bridge
Open daily, 12noon-4pm. Bookings preferred.
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 8km (9 minute drive)
Owners Howard & Julie Simmonds prepared and planted their 6-acre vineyard 22 years ago, and delight in guiding visitors through a tasting of their truly boutique and highly awarded Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, together with a delicious red wine blend.
Gibson Bridge
Greywacke
Tastings by appointment – Mon-Fri, 11am or 2pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 11km (10 minute drive)
The small team at Greywacke welcomes visitors by appointment on Monday to Friday with tastings at either 11am or 2pm subject to availability.
Greywacke's tasting experience is structured but very relaxed, tasting all six wines that make up the Greywacke range. Allow 60-90 minutes for the tasting experience.
Hans Herzog
Tastings by appointment, closed August
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 9km (8 minute drive)
Family-owned and operated, the boutique Hans Herzog estate is renowned for producing a remarkable range of handcrafted wines from a single vineyard in Marlborough.
Hans Herzog 25 different grape varieties from its single vineyard, allowing visitors to discover wines rarely found elsewhere in the region.
Hunter's Wines
Open Wed-Sun, 9.30am-4pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 7km (6 minute drive)
Hunter’s Wines is the oldest Marlborough independent winery in continuous family ownership.
The cellar door/restaurant is a converted farmhouse surrounded by country gardens with native plantings and birds.
An open fire blazes in the cellar door/restaurant to keep guests toasty while they enjoy wine tastings, light lunches and platters. A small art gallery is on-site, displaying work from local artists.
Jackson Estate
Tastings by appointment
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 4km (4 minute drive)
Jackson Estate is a family-owned Marlborough winery producing estate-grown wines that reflect the character of the region's diverse vineyard sites.
Visitors to Jackson Estate can enjoy a relaxed tasting experience featuring a range of Marlborough varietals.
The cellar door was designed and built by the art director of the Hobbit trilogy, inspired by original 1850’s settlers' huts.
Jackson Estate
Johanneshof Cellars
Open Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm. Bookings preferred
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 23km (20 minute drive)
Located along SH1 between Blenheim and Picton, Johanneshof Cellars combines European winemaking traditions with the flavours and character of New Zealand's premier wine region – producing wines inspired by classic Old World styles.
The winery's underground rock cellar provides ideal natural conditions for wines to mature before release.
Guests can enjoy a relaxed tasting experience featuring a range of varietals while learning about the European influences that shape the estate's winemaking philosophy.
Johanneshof Cellars
Lawson's Dry Hills
Open Mon-Fri, 10am-4.30pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 8km (9 minute drive)
Lawson's Dry Hills is one of Marlborough's pioneering wine producers.
Family-owned and proudly independent, the cellar door at Lawson's Dry Hills offers a welcoming and relaxed tasting experience, allowing visitors to explore a diverse range of Marlborough varietals. Pick-your-own platters are also available.
Mahi
Tastings by appointment
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 8km (9 minute drive)
Mahi is a boutique winery, celebrated for producing handcrafted wines that express the individuality of the region's vineyards.
Mahi takes a small-batch approach to winemaking with minimal intervention. The winery's name, Mahi, means "work" in te reo Māori, reflecting the dedication and care that goes into every bottle.
Visitors can enjoy a relaxed and personal tasting experience featuring a range of wines that showcase the diversity of Marlborough.
Mahi
Nautilus Estate
Open daily, 10am-4.30pm
Closed July 10 (Matariki public holiday)
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 10km (8 minute drive)
The Nautilus Estate team brings a warm, knowledgeable and down-to-earth approach to every tasting – taking the time to share the stories behind the wines, vineyards and vintage, without feeling scripted or rushed.
The Wine Room itself reflects the Nautilus style – elegant, calm and timeless – creating a space where guests can slow down and enjoy the experience.
During winter, the fire is lit, adding an extra layer of warmth and comfort.At the centre of it all are the wines – single-vineyard expressions crafted with a focus on balance and food friendliness – designed to be enjoyed at the table, and brought to life through thoughtful tastings and pairings.
No.1 Family Estate
Open daily, 11am-4pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 9km (8 minute drive)
No.1 Family Estate is dedicated to crafting méthode traditionnelle wines inspired by the great sparkling wines of Europe.
Founded by Daniel Le Brun, whose family has a long history of producing Champagne in France, the winery has built an international reputation for producing elegant, complex sparkling wines using traditional bottle-fermentation techniques.
The cellar door offers visitors the opportunity to explore handcrafted sparkling wines, from crisp and refreshing non-vintage styles to more complex vintage releases.
No.1 Family Estate
Rimapere
Tastings by appointment – preferably 48 hours in advance
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 8km (7 minute drive)
Established by the Rothschild family, owners of the legendary Château Clarke estate in Bordeaux, Rimapere combines generations of French winemaking expertise with the exceptional growing conditions that have made Marlborough famous around the globe.
The name "Rimapere" translates from te reo Māori as "five arrows", reflecting the Rothschild family emblem.
Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen
Cellar door open Wed-Sun, 11am-4pm (final tasting 3.15pm)
Restaurant open Wed-Sun, 11.30am-4pm (last reservation 2.15pm)
Bookings recommended for both tastings and lunch
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 8km (8 minute drive)
Every year, Saint Clair's winemakers taste and grade over 300 separate batches of wine blind.
Only the highest-scoring batches make it into the premium labels, and guests can taste this curated selection through a hosted tasting at the Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen.Unlike large corporate-owned estates, Saint Clair is still owned by the company's founders, Neal and Judy Ibbotson.
This personal touch is reflected in the hospitality of the team and the seasonal, locally sourced menu designed to pair with the wines that Saint Clair produces.
Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen
Spy Valley
Open Mon-Fri, 10.30am-4pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 11km (10 minute drive)
With its name inspired by a nearby satellite communications spy base, Spy Valley offers visitors the opportunity to explore a diverse portfolio of wines.
Family-owned and operated, the winery offers relaxed and welcoming tastings at its Waihopai Valley base. Platters are also available.
Spy Valley
The Fancy Cow | Ant Moore Wines
Thurs-Sat 12noon-9pm
Sun 12noon-5pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 7km (6 minute drive)
The Fancy Cow is a popular destination for visitors looking to combine great food with a relaxed Marlborough wine country atmosphere.
Located alongside The Fancy Cow, Ant Moore Wines is an ideal destination for visitors looking to combine wine tasting with a leisurely lunch or dinner. Book online.
The Fancy Cow | Ant Moore Wines
Villa Maria
Open Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 4km (4 minute drive)
Visitors to Villa Maria's cellar door can explore a diverse range of wines that showcase the winery's philosophy of expressing the character of each vineyard site while maintaining consistency and quality.
Tastings provide an excellent introduction to the styles and varieties that helped to define Marlborough's wine story.
Villa Maria
Wairau River | Number 11 Restaurant
Open Thurs-Mon, 11.30am-3pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 10km (8 minute drive)
Wairau River is an iconic Marlborough brand and Number 11 Restaurant is building a reputation to match.
The cellar door offers carefully curated tastings from informative staff alongside great food and service, with two large indoor fires roaring throughout winter.
Wairau River | Number 11
Whitehaven
Open daily, 11am-4.30pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 9km (8 minute drive)
The delicious smell and taste of mulled wine and spiced fruit cake wafts through Whitehaven's cellar door this winter, providing the perfect cozy start to a wintery wine tasting.
Located in Rapaura's Vines Village, Whitehaven was established in 1994 and remains family-owned.
The cellar door sits alongside a small picturesque lake and a collection of shops along Marlborough's 'Golden Mile'.
Whitehaven
Wine + Food Experience Marlborough
Open daily, 12noon-late
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 5km (7 minute drive)
Wine + Food Experience Marlborough is located in the centre of Blenheim, overlooking the Taylor River.
A selection of 90 Marlborough wines are available to choose from and taste at your own pace, from enomatic wine dispensers.
Sample Marlborough wines, beers and gins, together with platters and seafood.
Wine + Food Experience Marlborough
Wither Hills
Open daily, 11.30am-3pm
Evening dining Fri-Sat from 6pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 4km (4 minute drive)
A crackling hot fire and elevated views across the Wairau Plain greet visitors to the Wither Hills cellar door and restaurant.
The cooler months feature a hearty seasonal menu, while guests can also sample the Wither Hills Pinot Gris – grown over our fence at St Leonards.
A range of wine tastings and private group experiences are available at the cellar door, including a wine blending experience and a tasting of library wines in the picturesque barrel hall with a winemaker – bookings are essential.
Wither Hills
Yealands Wines
Open Fri-Mon, 10.30am-4.30pm
Distance from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages: 36km (34 minute drive)
Stretching from the foothills of the Kaikoura Ranges to undulating downs overlooking Cook Strait, Seaview Vineyard is the home of Yealands Wines.
Located close to the township of Seddon, Yealands has one of the most dramatic vineyard landscapes in Marlborough. The White Road is the winery's self-guided 40-minute tour which begins at the cellar door and winds through part of the expansive vineyard out to cliffs overlooking Cook Strait – look out for chickens, miniature babydoll sheep and kunekune pigs.
Together with tastings and build-your-own platter menu at the Cellar Door, enjoy a unique vineyard drive along the White Road – or book a VIP Experience for up to 6 guests.
How close are Marlborough's cellar doors from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages?
FAQs
How many Marlborough cellar doors are open each day in winter?
At least 15 cellar doors are open daily. Check out our list of which cellar doors and vineyard eateries are open each day.
How far are Marlborough's cellar doors from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages?
More than 20 cellar doors are within 10km (10 minute drive) from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages. 8 cellar doors are within a 4-5 minute drive from the cottages.
How can we travel around the cellar doors?
A range of van tours, private tours and bike tours (guided and self-guided) are available to book, with free pick-up from St Leonards Vineyard Cottages. If you're planning to stay at St Leonards for two nights or longer from June through to the end of September, book our Stay & Play special offer and receive a free self-guided cellar door bike tour for two people, valued at $130.
What time do the cellar doors open and close?
The cellar doors' opening hours vary. Refer to the current opening hours for each of the cellar doors above.
* This guide is maintained by the team at St Leonards Vineyard Cottages. Opening hours are verified directly with wineries and are updated regularly.