The Marlborough Wine and Food Festival
Country: Brancott Vineyard, Marlborough, New Zealand
When: 11th February 2017
10th February 2018
Cost: $55 NZD
History
It is evident from the title that this is a festival that prioritises wine: indeed, when it started in 1985, it was called simply the “Marlborough Wine Festival.” Conceived as a way of establishing the district as a wine region, gaining tourism interest, and bringing the Marlborough community together, it has since branched out to include a celebration of New Zealand foods as well.
Marlborough is in the northern part of New Zealand’s South Island. The region has grown since the festival’s inception, boasting 153 wineries, 50 of which attend the festival.
Though a lot of the festival is about wine, you’ll want to arrive on an empty stomach, because there are upward of 25 food sites at this festival, all of them irresistible. The Marlborough region produces seafood, game, nuts, olives, homemade icecream and cheese: all of which happen to go very well with wine. If you strike a balance between eating and drinking your way through the day, you might just manage to avoid the inevitable headache tomorrow.
Festival Videos
Key Highlights
The “Supreme Wine and Food Match Competition” is a must-see, and has been part of the festival’s tradition for seven years. Learn something from the pro’s about the art of food and wine pairings.
A standard ticket, at $55 NZD, includes entry to the festival, which gives you access to the Culinary Pavilion, and also includes a souvenir glass and a festival catalogue. Make sure you bring enough cash to last you once you’re inside: you’ll find it hard to resist bringing some tasty treats home with you!
For $195 NZD you can get a pass into the VIP lounge, which includes wine and beer tastings, fresh roasted coffee, food tasting, all-day cheese platters, free coat check, and an opportunity to meet the celebrity chefs.
The festival opens at 10:30am. There is a free bus service that runs between the town and the vineyard. Wine sales cease at 5:30pm, with the festival closing at 6:30pm.
Where is it
https://goo.gl/maps/QaQ4xdkotR82
How to get there
Flights to and from Marlborough are available at www.airnewzealand.co.nz
There is a bus that shuttles between the festival and Blenheim, which you can ride with a $20 return pass, or parking at the festival for $5.
Where to stay
Marlborough offers mostly self-contained cabins, or hotels of increasing luxury. It’ll be best to find a place in Blenheim, the same area of the festival itself. Get in early as it tends to book out around the festival weekend.
Cabins range from around $70-$120. Hotel prices vary hugely, from budget motels to luxury villas with their own helicopter pads.
If you’re with a group, the “Book a Bach” option is recommended (in New Zealand, a “bach” is a small cottage or bungalow): visit http://www.bookabach.co.nz
Useful links
http://www.wine-marlborough-festival.co.nz
http://www.wine-marlborough.co.nz
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1409/S00366/2015-marlborough-wine-food-festival.htm
