The best of Marlborough food and wine
In its 38th year of delighting locals and visitors alike, the iconic Marlborough Wine & Food Festival has earned its heritage status.
The 38th Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is set to be another mid-summer stunner, on 8 February 2025.
Held in the heart of wine county, this iconic festival is designed to delight attendees by making excellent wine and delicious food the centrepiece of a fun day of music and entertainment.
The festival is your opportunity to sample wines from more than 30 Marlborough wineries, including many that don’t have cellar doors open to the public.
Graze and taste at your own pace. Meet growers, winemakers, and others behind the wines you love, as you browse. This is the place to find new favourite brands and varietals, as well as indulge in those you know and love.
And with more than 20 different food providers showcasing some of the best produce from Marlborough, you will find the perfect cuisine to pair with your wine.
All ticket holders will have access to the Culinary Pavilion, where celebrated chef Al Brown and others will prepare the best Marlborough produce and artisan foods with their signature flair.
"We are excited to have Al Brown starring in the Culinary Pavilion," Loren Coffey, event manager of the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, says. "Celebrated for his innovative cuisine, Al is a recognised, leading New Zealand chef and a captivating entertainer."
As an ambassador for Regal Salmon, Al will demonstrate how to create delicious salmon dishes at home, showcasing the freshest kaimoana from the Marlborough Sounds.
Polly Markus, the creative force behind Miss Polly’s Kitchen, will also take to the stage. "A lot of people will be thrilled to hear that Polly Markus is joining us in the Culinary Pavilion. Polly’s passion for food and her talent for creating comforting, delicious dishes resonate with everyone. Her vibrant energy and love for cooking make her a favourite among food lovers."
In addition to Polly and Al, some of Marlborough’s local culinary heroes will collaborate with small-scale local food producers, bringing the region’s best flavours to the festival.
Musicians and bands are handpicked to create the wonderful atmosphere the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is famous for. This is a festival that signs the likes of Drax Project, Coterie, Sons of Zion, and Broods’ DJ set. You can expect high-quality acts that round out the perfect day.
The festival’s masterclasses are a destination in themselves, with many festival-goers shaping their day around one or more of these fun, hands-on, 50-minute classes.
In the Méthode Marlborough Masterclass you will enjoy a selection of Marlborough’s finest sparkling wines, while the winemakers explain the centuries-old process of creating them.
Musicians and bands are handpicked to create the wonderful atmosphere the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is famous for. This is a festival that signs the likes of Drax Project, Coterie, Sons of Zion, and Broods’ DJ set. You can expect high-quality acts that round out the perfect day.
The festival’s masterclasses are a destination in themselves, with many festival-goers shaping their day around one or more of these fun, hands-on, 50-minute classes.
In the Méthode Marlborough Masterclass you will enjoy a selection of Marlborough’s finest sparkling wines, while the winemakers explain the centuries-old process of creating them.
The New Waves of Whites Masterclass is a fresh spin on white wine and cheese pairing – bringing emerging Marlborough white wine varietals to the table to taste and learn to pair perfectly with artisanal Marlborough cheeses.
The Sipping Smarter Masterclass puts low and no-alcohol wines in the spotlight. Marlborough winemakers are meeting increasing demand for these options, without compromising taste and quality.
The South Marlborough Masterclass pairs wines with bites of sustainably sourced meats and seasonal produce, while a local farming family tell their stories about life on the high-county Middlehurst Station.
The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is a celebration of the finest wines and delectable cuisine the Marlborough region has to offer.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Saturday 8 February 2025 at Renwick Domain on Uxbridge Street in Renwick. This is strictly an R18 event. There is on-site parking, and the site and facilities are mobility-friendly. Taking buses is encouraged, and bus tickets are available now. General Admission, VIP Retreat, and The Lounge tickets are on sale. A Standard General Admission ticket grants access to the Culinary Pavilion. In addition to the free demonstrations in the Culinary Pavilion, tickets can be purchased for a 50-minute Masterclasses. Exhibitors, wineries, and entertainment are described on the festival website, with more details to come.