The Graperide
Book the time off for 22 April 2023 now
Passionately Marlborough-centric, our naming sponsor Whitehaven Wine Company is committed to the community and the well-being of those in the community. In the 25 years since they established their presence in Marlborough this family owned wine company has looked to create a positive community impact. Managing Director and co-founder Sue White says “We see the Whitehaven Grape Ride as a way to promote inclusivity of communities, sustainable choices and a focus on health and keeping active”. Update on the latest rider information here.
Stay a while
No matter how you get here, make sure you leave time to sample a little of what makes the region so special. Local produce abounds and our local restaurant and café scene is a vibrant one with chefs of many nationalities bringing their own touches to the food scene. The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre offers world class displays of historic military scenes and aircraft from both World Wars as well as other periods in history.
Where to stay
Marlborough offers accommodation at a number of levels to suit all budgets and requirements. To check out the options look here.
The History
Family owned and proudly Marlborough focused since its establishment 25 years ago, Whitehaven sees the GrapeRide as a continuation of its advocacy of Marlborough. Co-founder and Managing Director Sue White says “being a family owned and operated business means that creating positive impacts on our community is vitally important to us”.
Over the years the event has earned numerous accolades and has been awarded the supreme “Best Established Event” award by the NZ Event Industry. The addition of mountain bikes and e-bikes to the event over recent years along with distances to provide a worthwhile challenge makes the Whitehaven GrapeRide a wonderful outing in the beautiful scenery of Marlborough. Join us at The Vines Village for the Whitehaven GrapeRide on April 22nd 2023.
The Course
Starting from wine central in Renwick on the Wairau plains, the course passes the outskirts of Blenheim, Marlborough’s largest centre before turning north past the regenerating wetlands of the Para swamp and onward to Marlborough’s maritime hub in scenic Picton. From there you’ll enter the glorious scenery of the Queen Charlotte Drive around the top ends of the Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds, arriving in the green-lip mussel capital, Havelock. From there it’s a final roll down State Highway 6 through forestry and dairying areas before crossing the Wairau river and returning to The Vines Village for all the treats that await.
The mountainbike course is a challenging jaunt through varied features of the Wairau river bed taking in beautiful views up the Wairau valley and across the plains to the Southern Valleys. Best suited to beginner to intermediate riders, the course includes a number of different surfaces and some twisting singletrack through an established pine plantation. Starting and finishing at The Vines Village, the short (20km) and long (40km) courses offer something for everyone.
How to get here
By Bluebridge ferry (with Whitehaven GrapeRide discounts on their flexifare) from Wellington to Picton (and back again). Walk your bike on and the bike travels free, thanks Bluebridge.
By road via State Highway 1 north up the East coast of the South Island including the fantastic scenery of the Kaikoura coast, soon to be home to the recreational cycling ‘Whale Trail’.
Air New Zealand operate into Marlborough airport, make sure they have freight capacity to get your bike here if you choose to fly.
By road via State Highway 63 from the South Island’s West coast or via State Highway 6 from the Nelson/Golden Bay area.
