Sign of the Vines: new Marlborough Vineyard Trail

The delicious challenge of wheeling between 20 of the nation’s finest wineries has just become easier, with help from Herenga ā Nuku.

A new bike trail linking Marlborough wineries was launched last month, and supported by a grant for signage from Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission.

The Marlborough Vineyard Trail links some of Marlborough’s most popular wineries via 20km of trail, much of which is off-road – including riverbanks and the edges of vineyards.

Made possible through the cooperation of wineries and other landowners, it was opened by Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor on March 5.

The Marlborough District Council was the main funder of the project.

Mayor Taylor said the trail boosted the existing cycle infrastructure and improved safety by taking cyclists off busy roads.

Herenga ā Nuku awarded an Enhanced Access Grant to the Renwick Residents Association, which helped take the trail from idea to reality.

The money went towards the creation and installation of signs with clear maps and information for trail users.

Seven maps have been placed at key places where there could otherwise be confusion as to the correct route. There is also information on health and safety, especially for where the trail crosses private land. 

The Renwick Residents Association’s Steve Hill said the trail was already getting a lot of use.

“Visiting the cellar doors by bike – either self-guided or on an organised trip – is incredibly popular in the area, and having this trail fully operational will hopefully boost those numbers.”

There were 20 cellar doors within an eight-kilometre radius of Renwick and 10,000 bike visitors each year, Hill said.

As well as acknowledging the hard work of Hill’s group, Mayor Taylor thanked contractors, volunteers and landowners who granted easements though their properties.

Herenga ā Nuku offers Enhanced Access Grants to help individuals and organisations with projects that improve public access to the outdoors.

Since 2010, over 100 projects have been awarded an Enhanced Access Grant.

For the 2024-2025 funding round, $25,000 (excluding GST) is available for funding grants.

For more information: Enhanced Access Grants

Marlborough Vineyard Trail sign