News
The New Zealand’s longest-running wine and food festival is shaping up to be another ‘mid-summer stunner’ of exceptional experiences.
Loren Coffey, event manager of the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, is delighted to announce celebrity chef Al Brown in attendance at the 38th festival on 8 February 2025.
“We are excited to have Al Brown starring in the Culinary Pavilion. 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 in ways that bring out the best in this amazing kaimoana, fresh from the Marlborough Sounds,” Loren says.
“And a lot of people are going to be very excited to hear that Polly Markus, of Miss Polly’s Kitchen, is also 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.”
Alongside Polly and Al, some of Marlborough’s local culinary heroes will work with products from small-scale local food producers.
Eighty-six gold medals were awarded this year, up from 46 last year. The total number of entries was on par with 2023, with more than 500 wines entered into the Show. Trophy winners will be revealed at the Marlborough Wine Show Celebration Long Lunch on October 18.
Chief Judge Stu Marfell says the quality of entries this year was spectacular, with both Sauvignon Blanc and Sparkling varieties making a particularly strong impression.
More than 500 wines have been put forward for judging at the 2024 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
Chief Judge Stu Marfell and 14 local judges will this year be joined by guest judges Elaine Chukan Brown and Sam Kim, who will also be the Deputy Chair of the Show.
Judging will take place from 2-4 October at the Marlborough Events Centre.
Nothing says ‘summer in Marlborough’ more than festival tickets in hand, and dates on the calendar.
The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival has blossomed early, inspiring people to buy their ‘Early Bird’ and ‘Locals Only’ tickets before the first hint of bud bloom.
Congratulations to Nick Lamain from VinLink who was announced the 2024 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year following the competition held on 31 July at MRC and NMIT in Blenheim.
Congratulations also goes to Ellie Hobbs from Rose Family Estate who came second and Ruby McManaway from Yealands who came third.
25 years ago, on Bastille Day 1999, Adele and Daniel Le Brun released Cuvée No.1, the first Marlborough Méthode Traditionelle from their company No.1 Family Estate.
Winepress
Established in 1991, Winepress is the longest running wine publication in New Zealand, reporting the latest news, information & research in the Marlborough wine industry. For Winepress Advertising please contact Jo May. For Winepress subscriptions please contact us here. See all past issues of Winepress here.
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25 years ago, on Bastille Day 1999, Adele and Daniel Le Brun released Cuvée No.1, the first Marlborough Méthode Traditionelle from their company No.1 Family Estate.
Whitehaven Wine Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Ross to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Steve is not new to Whitehaven, having joined the company in 2008 following several years with Fonterra in commercial, analytical & project management roles.
Wine Enthusiast’s 23rd Annual Wine Star Award nominees have been announced, honouring individuals and companies that make outstanding contributions to the wine and alcohol beverage world. We are pleased to let you know Marlborough has once again been nominated for Wine Region of the Year.
Produced by Whitehaven Wines, the Kōparepare wine range has been created to support the protection and restoration of New Zealand’s marine environment. All sales of Kōparepare benefit the work of LegaSea, a non-profit organisation dedicated to restoring the abundance, biodiversity and health of New Zealand’s marine environment.
Once again Saint Clair is at the forefront of the wine review pages in the Cuisine Magazine. Any regular reader will often see Saint Clair wines in the line-up. In January 2021 issue, Saint Clair excelled in the tasting with five of the seven 5-star rated Sauvignon Blanc wines. The Cuisine issue number 205 that hit the shelves in April 2021, showcased excellence from Saint Clair within the Pinot Noir tasting. This time February 2022, it is the Saint Clair aromatic wines which rise to the top.
Visitors can enjoy ‘The Spirit Journey’, a signature vertical tasting of one of the most iconic red blends of New Zealand, the Spirit of Marlborough. The flight begins with a barrel sample moving then to 2015 (current release) and then to library editions such as 2011 and 2008.