Paihia or Kerikeri: Wine, Spirit, & Craft Beer Tour

The best part of this Bay of Islands afternoon is the variety: one stop for wine, one for beer, and one for New Zealand spirits. You are not parked at a single cellar door all day. You move through the region, see the countryside, and finish with a very different kind of tasting at Bad Habits in Paihia.

I like the small maximum of 11 people, which makes conversation with the guide and fellow drinkers easy. I also like the useful mix of drinks and food, especially the platter lunch at Marsden Estate and the chance to sample four beers at Phat House Brewery. Guides Bill, Derek, and Ken have all made strong impressions for their timing, friendliness, and care with the group.

The main caution is that the supplied route details name different wine stops in different places. One version lists Marsden Estate, Phat House Brewery, and Bad Habits, while another names Fat Pig Vineyard, Ake Ake Vineyard and Restaurant, and a local restaurant. Confirm the exact stops before booking, particularly if a certain winery matters to you.

Key points at a glance

• Six wines and a platter lunch at Marsden Estate: The courtyard, lake, and vines give this stop a relaxed setting.
• Four beers or ciders at Phat House Brewery: Choose from natural, unfiltered, unpasteurized products made by Caroline and Rob.
• Three New Zealand spirits at Bad Habits: The tasting is paired with food samples, and the bar carries an unusually large local selection.
• A maximum of 11 passengers: This is a personal small-group outing rather than a large coach excursion.
• Pickup in Paihia or Kerikeri: Paihia pickup is at 1:30 pm, with Kerikeri pickup at 2:00 pm, followed by drop-off in either town.
• A four-hour, adults-only afternoon: The tour suits people who want several tastings without arranging a designated driver.

Three drinks, one easy Bay of Islands afternoon

This is a tasting tour with a clear rhythm. You start with wine and lunch, switch to beer, then finish with spirits and small food pairings. That order works well because the afternoon begins gently and becomes more varied as it goes on.

The drive between stops is part of the appeal. The Bay of Islands is known for water, hills, vines, and scattered settlements, and the van gives you a practical way to see some of the area without worrying about who will drive afterward. You are not signing up for a long formal wine seminar. You are getting a social afternoon with enough explanation to help you understand what each producer makes.

The experience costs $125 per person. I consider that fair if you plan to make use of the lunch, several tastings, transport, and hotel drop-off. Buying separate tastings and arranging a driver could quickly add up, especially in a region where stops are spread between Paihia, Kerikeri, and Haruru Falls.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a serious wine tour. One description promises six wines at Marsden Estate, while one past account described limited wine tasting. The tour is best judged as a broad drinks sampler, not as a specialist look at New Zealand wine.

Starting in Paihia or Kerikeri

You can begin at the Paihia i-SITE at 1:30 pm or at the BP Service Station in Kerikeri at 2:00 pm. The information also gives Kindred Spirits Mobile Bar at 305 Kerikeri Road as a possible meeting point, so check your confirmed pickup location carefully.

The two pickup choices make this easier to fit into a Bay of Islands stay. Paihia is the practical base for many visitors, while Kerikeri gives you a shorter start if you are staying inland. At the end, the van returns you to accommodation in Paihia or Kerikeri.

The small van matters here. With no more than 11 passengers, you get a quieter ride than you would on a full-size bus, and the guide can keep an eye on timing without barking instructions across a crowded vehicle. Ken has been praised for keeping the afternoon on schedule without rushing people. That is exactly the balance you want on a tasting trip.

The tour runs for four hours. That is long enough for three tasting settings and lunch, but short enough to leave your evening free. Bad Habits is in Paihia, and one useful tip from the supplied experiences is that it can make sense as your final stop if you are staying nearby. One group even found the brewery location convenient enough to fit their accommodation plans.

Marsden Estate: six wines beside the vines

The first stop, as described in the main tour details, is Marsden Estate, started by the McIvor family about 30 years ago. The setting is part of the attraction: you sit in a courtyard looking toward a lake and grapevines rather than tasting in a bare retail room.

You can sample six wines here, then eat a platter lunch. This is a generous opening stop because it combines the main wine tasting with the most substantial food of the afternoon. The food also helps pace the alcohol, which is important when the tour has two more tasting stops ahead.

I like the way this stop gives you context before the smaller producers. You can learn about the wine-making process while looking across the vines, then compare that experience with beer production and spirit blending later. The tasting is not only about identifying flavors. It shows you how a local producer presents wine, food, and place as one experience.

The platter is a highlight for many people who enjoy a relaxed lunch more than a quick snack. The information does not specify every item, so do not book expecting a particular meat, cheese, or dietary menu. Extra food and drinks are not included, and any special dietary needs should be checked before you go.

A potential weakness is time. Six wines plus lunch can feel brisk if you want a long conversation about each bottle. You will get more from the stop if you ask questions early and decide which wines interest you most.

Phat House Brewery: four choices at Haruru Falls

The route then moves to Phat House Brewery in Haruru Falls. Caroline and Rob founded the brewery in 2015, and their approach is clearly hands-on. Their beers and ciders use natural ingredients and are made without filtration, pasteurization, or preservatives.

You can choose up to four products. That choice is useful because beer preferences vary widely. You might prefer a familiar lager-style beer, a darker pour, or a cider, while someone beside you may want to try something more unusual. The tour does not force one fixed flight on the whole group.

This stop gives the afternoon a welcome change of pace. Wine tasting often asks you to focus on grape variety, vintage, and finish. At Phat House, you get a look at the brewing process and the character of a small producer. Caroline and Rob’s enthusiasm is part of what makes the stop feel personal rather than industrial.

The timing is also sensible. After wine and lunch, four beers can be enough to make the second tasting satisfying without turning it into a long brewery session. If you are a serious beer fan, you may wish you had more time or a larger flight. For a mixed group, the four-product limit keeps the afternoon manageable.

One account praised four beers in particular, while another described the overall afternoon as a great choice of stops. I would treat that as a reason to ask the guide about the current range rather than expect a fixed menu. Beer availability can change, and the supplied details promise a choice of up to four products, not named beers.

Bad Habits: spirits, food pairings, and a wide local shelf

The final named stop is Bad Habits in Paihia. This is not simply a last drink before the van heads back. It is a specialist bar and shop with a striking range of New Zealand-made spirits and liqueurs.

The stated selection includes 46 gins, 19 rums, 11 vodkas, 24 whiskies, and 34 liqueurs. You taste three spirits, with food samples chosen to complement each one. That pairing changes the feel of the stop. You are not only swallowing small samples and moving on. You get a chance to see how food can alter the taste of gin, rum, vodka, whisky, or liqueur.

I like this stop because it adds something you may not find on a standard wine-and-beer tour. It gives New Zealand distillers room in the story, and it may help you find a bottle worth taking home. The large selection also makes Bad Habits a useful place to browse after the formal tasting, although extra drinks and food are not included in the $125 price.

The deli counter has received especially warm praise, with a particularly strong selection of meats noted in the supplied comments. One group returned later for dinner, which tells you that Bad Habits can work as more than a tasting stop. Still, the tour itself includes only the stated spirit samples and food pairings, so budget separately if you plan to stay for a meal.

Bad Habits is also the point where the route can feel most flexible. One guide, Bill, rearranged the order for a group because the brewery was next to their accommodation. That kind of practical adjustment can be helpful, but it depends on the day and the guide. Do not assume every booking will receive a custom route.

What the guide adds to the day

The guide is not just the person holding the keys to the van. On this kind of tour, good timing and a relaxed manner make a real difference. The strongest praise has gone to Bill, Derek, and Ken.

Bill has been singled out for looking after the group and making sensible adjustments. Derek received a simple 10 out of 10 assessment, while Ken was valued for keeping the group on time without putting pressure on each stop. Those are useful qualities because tastings can easily run late, especially when lunch and conversation are involved.

The tour is conducted in English. You should expect explanations about wine-making and production methods, along with help moving between tastings. It is not presented as an advanced certification course, and the level of detail may depend on the guide and the producers available that day.

A small group also changes the social side. You may find yourself sharing a table with people from different places, and the supplied experiences include groups from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. If you enjoy an afternoon where conversation is part of the fun, this format should suit you.

If you prefer to taste alone, avoid group banter, or spend a long time at one winery, this is less ideal. The appeal is the shared route and variety.

The route question you should settle before paying

There is a genuine inconsistency in the supplied tour details. The main description gives this sequence:

• Marsden Estate for six wines and a platter lunch
• Phat House Brewery in Haruru Falls for up to four beers or ciders
• Bad Habits in Paihia for three spirits and food pairings

A separate route description names Fat Pig Vineyard, Ake Ake Vineyard and Restaurant, and a local restaurant for lunch. It also gives a different meeting point, Kindred Spirits Mobile Bar.

That may reflect a seasonal change, a second version of the tour, or older operating details. I cannot tell from the information provided. If you have your heart set on Marsden Estate, Fat Pig Vineyard, Ake Ake, Phat House, or Bad Habits, contact Mullarkeys Tours and confirm the current route, pickup point, and included meal before booking.

This is not a minor detail. The places determine whether you get six wines, how much food is included, and whether the tour finishes with spirits or another wine stop. The broad idea remains the same, a small-group tasting outing in the Bay of Islands, but the exact experience may vary.

Price, inclusions, and practical value

At $125 per person, the package includes pickup and drop-off from the stated meeting areas, wine, beer, and spirit tastings, plus a platter lunch. You are paying for the driver, the transport between venues, and the convenience of not planning a route or finding a sober driver.

The price works best for a couple or group that would otherwise need to arrange a taxi or private vehicle. It also makes sense if you value the meal and want to sample all three drink categories. The strongest value comes from the combination, not from any single tasting.

You pay extra for additional food and drinks. That matters at Bad Habits, where the large selection may tempt you to stay for dinner or buy a bottle. It also matters if you tend to prefer generous portions or full glasses rather than tasting measures.

The tour is for adults aged 18 and over. It is wheelchair accessible, though you should still confirm the exact vehicle and venue arrangements if you have specific mobility needs. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now, pay-later booking is offered.

Transport received a perfect score from 86 percent of the supplied ratings, and the overall score is 4.9 from 37 ratings. I would put more weight on the repeated praise for the guides and route management than on the number alone. Those are the parts most likely to affect your actual afternoon.

Who should book this tasting tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy introduction to Bay of Islands drinks without renting a car. It suits couples, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people over a shared table.

It is also a good match if you want more than wine. The beer and spirit stops prevent the afternoon from feeling repetitive, and Bad Habits gives you a chance to find New Zealand-made bottles beyond the usual souvenir shops.

You may want another option if you are under 18, need a family activity, or have a very focused interest in one winery. The four-hour schedule also leaves limited room for lingering, so serious wine collectors should confirm the level of tasting detail and the current venues.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want variety, food, and transport handled in one afternoon. The small group, scenic driving, platter lunch, and three styles of tasting make the $125 price reasonable for many visitors staying in Paihia or Kerikeri.

Before you pay, confirm the exact stops. That is the one practical issue that could change your decision. If Marsden Estate, Phat House Brewery, and Bad Habits are operating as described, this is a lively and convenient introduction to local wine, beer, and spirits. If the route has shifted to Fat Pig Vineyard and Ake Ake Vineyard, decide if that wine-focused version better suits your plans.

FAQ

How long is the Bay of Islands wine, beer, and spirits tour?

The tour lasts four hours. Pickup is listed at 1:30 pm in Paihia and 2:00 pm in Kerikeri.

Where can I join the tour?

Pickup is available in Paihia and Kerikeri. The stated locations include the Paihia i-SITE, the BP Service Station in Kerikeri, and, for one booking option, Kindred Spirits Mobile Bar at 305 Kerikeri Road. Confirm the exact meeting point when you book.

What tastings and food are included?

The main tour details include six wine tastings and a platter lunch at Marsden Estate, up to four beers or ciders at Phat House Brewery, and three spirits with food samples at Bad Habits.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The tour is not suitable for children under 18.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to a maximum of 11 participants.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.