The 12 Wine Tours in Christchurch That Earn Their Price

1.Waipara Wine Tour from Christchurch – including Lunch & Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 462 reviews · from $117Our pick

Leave central Christchurch for a half-day Waipara wine tour with a guide such as Stephanie, Jude, Craig, or Andrew. Visit three available wineries, taste at least 15 wines, enjoy a platter lunch at the first stop, and return to Cathedral Square in about five and a half hours.

“The 3 wineries visited were quite different from each other but located close together so travel was much reduced, allowing much more time to taste at each winery. The offerings were good to excellent, with no “dogs.” The hosts and oRead more”

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2.Waipara Wine Experience for 2 or more, inc tastings and lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · from $123Top rated

Join Giles Tours for a five-and-a-half-hour, adults-only trip from Christchurch to Waipara Valley. With no more than six people, you will visit Pegasus Bay, Torlesse Wines, and Georges Road Wines for tastings, a garden tour, vineyard views, and a winery platter lunch. Pickup is offered, and transport is included.

“Giles was great. He's very knowledgeable about wine and took us to some lovely wineries. We had a great day with him.”

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3.Sheep Farm Day Trip from Christchurch + Lunch and Winery visit.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · from $183

Travel from Christchurch with a local guide such as Simon, visit Glenafric Working Sheep Farm near Amberley, watch sheep shearing, meet trained farm dogs, and enjoy a grazing platter with ocean views. Finish with wine tasting at Georges Road Wines, plus short stops at Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Amberley.

“This experience is a must do, it is a perfect day trip from Christchurch and should be a top priority for anyone in the area! Simon was a wonderful guide and had loads of information to share about New Zealand, the area, the farm, and the winery.”

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4.From Methven: Hot Air Balloon Flight in Canterbury with Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 48 reviews · 4 hours · from $227

Meet Graeme or Michaela at Methven’s Main Street bus stop, then ride to a paddock near Mt Hutt for about an hour in the air. You’ll help watch the balloon inflate and pack away, enjoy broad views of the Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains, and finish with sparkling wine or juice and snacks.

“The highlight of our trip to Canterberry. The guide was informative, helpful and extremely kind during the full process. We felt safe and comfortable in the balloon during flight. Highly recommend this experience for thrill seekers.”

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5.Sheep Farm Experience with Lunch & Winery

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 24 reviews · 6 hours · from $176

Travel from Christchurch to Glenafric, a 770-hectare coastal sheep and beef farm, with local guide Simon. Meet farmer James Hoban, watch shearing and working dogs, feed sheep, enjoy a generous picnic at Louise’s Lookout, then taste Waipara wines before a short Christchurch sightseeing loop.

“Simon was amazing, from the very moment we sat in the car. The farm was just gorgeous, as was the winery. Everyone we met was amazing, including Pepper!”

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6.Lyttelton Shore Excursion – Waipara Wine Tour With Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $117

From Lyttelton, you’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to Waipara Valley for tastings at three wineries and lunch at Waipara Springs. Guides such as Andrew, Tania, Joseph, and Caroline provide local commentary and keep an eye on ship departure times. Expect Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, boutique cellar doors, and a relaxed five-hour outing.

“A wonderful day! We learned so much.... We visited 3 wineries for tastings. The wineries were Georges Road, Waipara Spings (where we also had lunch) and Torlesse.. All were top notch! We particularly liked the dry Riesling a Georges Road!”

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7.Lyttelton Shore Excursion – City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · from $139

Spend the morning seeing Christchurch from Lyttelton to the city, with views from the Sign of the Takahe, Mona Vale Gardens, and Christchurch Cathedral. Then head north to Waipara for lunch and tastings at Waipara Springs, Torlesse Wines, and Georges Road Wines. Guides may include Andrew, Rob, Carmen, Tania, or Di.

“City Highlights & Waipara wine tour was great. Carmen our guide was really great! The ‘city highlights’ was just that. Most of the day was at the 3 wineries. The hosts were exceptional at George Road Winery, and the wines were good. ThRead more”

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8.Wine trail and Christchurch City – Luxury, Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $387

Travel from Christchurch to Waipara with a guide such as Mary or Georgi, tasting boutique wines and Pinot Noir, enjoying lunch, then seeing Christchurch, Port Hills, Lyttelton Harbour, and She Chocolate. The group is capped at eight, with hotel pickup, drinks, and transport included.

“Absolutely amazing! We were made to feel incredibly special at every turn from been asked if there was anything special we wanted to see, places enroute we wanted to stop at to the vineyard experiences. You can tell she has a genuine conRead more”

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9.Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7 reviews · 5h 30m · from $119

Join Giles for a private half-day wine tour from Christchurch to Waipara Valley. Travel in a comfortable six-seat luxury MPV, visit three or four boutique wineries, and choose between a platter, degustation lunch, or deli meal. Tastings and food cost extra, but the flexible route can include small wineries larger groups cannot reach.

“My partner and I enjoyed a wonderful private winery tour. Our host looked after us really well with detailed information on all the wine as he is extremely knowledgeable, and ensuring we were comfortable and had a great spot for our lunch. We went to three great wineries, including creating a lunch at Pegasus bay from their deli offerings, and enjoyed the wine here more than other regions of NZ that we went to. Definitely recommend!”

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10.Canterbury Winery Heli Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $577

Leave Christchurch by helicopter for a 20-minute flight to Waipara, where you choose lunch at Greystone or Black Estate Winery. Expect a small group, a safety briefing, passenger weighing, and a walk across uneven ground from the landing site. Lunch and tasting are covered up to NZ$115 per person.

“Truly exceptional and exquisite from start to finish. The helicopter company was super-friendly, responding to all my inquiries instantly. The helicopter facility at the airport is world-class. Our pilot Matt was friendly and masterful, and the viRead more”

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11.Waipara Valley Winery Tour Wine Tastings and Scenic Views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $235

Travel from Christchurch to Waipara Valley in an air-conditioned vehicle for a relaxed 5 to 6 hour private wine tour. Taste at Pegasus Bay, Waipara Springs, and Torlesse Wines, with hotel pickup, local guidance, food pairings, and return transport included. Bring passport photo ID and allow time for generous tastings.

“Easy going and fun experience .very friendly Driver Thanks Harry... Highly recommended Ultimate Tour and travel...........”

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12.CRUISE SHIP DAY LYTTELTON Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours to Waipara

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $80Best value

From Lyttelton, spend about five hours exploring North Canterbury by air-conditioned vehicle. Choose from 18 stops, including Pegasus Bay, Greystone, Black Estate, Brew Moon, cafés, restaurants, and boutique shops. Your driver and guide manage the timetable, while tastings and food are purchased separately.

“Great trip! Our driver was patient with us when it took a while to get off our ship. He recommended and took us to amazing wineries. Very very friendly and a highlight of our trip! I would definitely recommend.”

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