About this tour
When Em from our team booked The Grape Vine, we got a helicopter jaunt across North Canterbury wine country, landing at a winery of our choice. The 2–4 hour experience pairs scenic flight time with vino and food (wine tasting and lunch cost extra). You're flying over proper Canterbury landscape—rugby clubs, beaches, vineyards—with pilots who actually know the region and talk you through what you're seeing. It's a solid option if you want to tick the 'helicopter ride' box and don't mind paying a bit more for the wine and meal portion.
Highlights
- Helicopter flight covers North Canterbury's vineyards and coastal landmarks
- Pilots share local knowledge of the region during the flight
- Land at a winery of your choosing, not a fixed destination
- Accessible to all fitness levels and works for families with infants
- Combines scenic flying with wine tasting and lunch (at extra cost)
- Views of horse paddocks, beaches, and rural Canterbury from the air
What to expect
You'll meet the team at the helipad, get a safety brief, and head skyward for a proper aerial tour of North Canterbury. The pilots narrate the route, pointing out local spots and landmarks as you cruise over the patchwork of vineyards and farmland. Once you land at your chosen winery, you disembark and shift gears—the wine tasting and lunch portion happens on the ground (and you'll pay separately for this).
The whole thing feels more personalised than a standard tour because you pick the winery and the pilots aren't just playing a recording—they're locals with real stories about the area. The flight itself is the headline; the winery stop is a bonus if you fork out for it. Weather can shuffle timings, and depending on crowds at the winery, the experience flows or stalls a bit.
What travellers say
- Pilots narrate with genuine local knowledge, not scripted talking points
- You choose the winery—adds flexibility and personal touch
- Stunning Canterbury landscape from the air; proper scenic value
- No fitness barriers; families with young kids can join
- Wine tasting and lunch on the ground, not rushed in the air
- Lunch and wine tasting cost extra—budget accordingly beyond base price
- Weather delays common in New Zealand; timing can be unpredictable
- Winery landing depends on your choice; a poor pick weakens the day
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you want a helicopter ride with proper scenery rather than a quick spin over a city, this hits the mark. North Canterbury is genuinely stunning from the air, and landing at a winery makes it feel a bit more purposeful than a pure joy flight. Works for families (infants can sit on a lap), and no fitness barrier means most people can do it.
Wine tasting and lunch are extra—don't assume they're included. The experience is helicopter-centric; if the landing winery doesn't appeal or feels rushed, the value drops. Weather can delay or cancel flights. Peak times will mean busier winery stops and longer waits. Bring layers; it can be breezy up top.
Helicopter flight only.
Lunch, wine tasting.
Typically small (helicopter capacity dictates this).
Summer and weekends book out faster. Infants need a lap. Seasickness tablets recommended if you're prone.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.