Marlborough Wine Stories
Marlborough is unique – not for any one reason but for many. This region is full of colour, complexity and diversity – making this part of New Zealand truly special. Explore our uniquely Marlborough wine stories.
From August 2023 the region’s winemakers and growers are celebrating 50 years of Marlborough’s official beginning as a wine region. Discover the history of our region’s wine brands and explore stories about our people and place that make it special here.
Select by Topic
- #SauvBlancDay
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 50 Years
- Advocacy
- Brand
- Cellar Doors
- Chardonnay
- Events
- Generation Y-ine
- Gewurztraminer
- Growth Forecast
- Grüner Veltliner
- Harvest Stories
- Lifetime Achievement
- Marlborough Economy
- Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
- Marlborough Wine Show
- Member News
- Méthode Marlborough
- Méthode Traditionelle
- Organic
- Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Gris
- Pinot Noir
- RSE
- Regional Reports
- Research
- Riesling
- Rosé
- SWNZ
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Southern Valleys
- Sparkling
- Subregions
- Syrah
- Vintage Reports
- Wellness
- WinePRO
- Workforce
- Young Viticulturist
- Young Winemaker
Mitch James and Ladyhawke to headline in 2025
The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival has announced its much-anticipated line-up of New Zealand musicians playing in 2025.
Mitch James, Ladyhawke, Hello Sailor, Sweet Mix Kids and Jaydin Shingleton will grace the main stage. Local Marlborough musicians will entertain from the acoustic area, and the DJ collective Vinyl in the Vines will be back in the Groove Garden.
Loren Coffey, festival event manager, says that all entertainment has been carefully selected to fit the festival’s summery, celebratory vibe.
Al Brown announced as one of the first festival headliners
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.
Festival ticket sales evoke summer feelings
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.
Summer dreaming – where wonderful wine meets fabulous food
The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival has taken a delicious leap forward this week, confirming more top chefs and – in a ‘festival-first’ – adding pop-up restaurants to the programme.
Wine Marlborough Ltd General Manager Marcus Pickens is delighted to announce Michael Meredith, Matt Lambert, Andy Hearnden and Sam Webb are firmly on the festival menu. These award-winning, celebrated chefs are set to inspire, entertain and share a few new culinary tricks in the Culinary Pavilion throughout the day.
Festival headliners top a full menu of fine wine, food and music
Now in its 37th year, the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is renowned for its well-crafted blend of award-winning wine, excellent food, inspirational chef demonstrations and masterclasses matched with carefully selected entertainment.
With the full list of exhibiting wineries, food producers and masterclass hosts close to being finalised, Wine Marlborough Ltd General Manager Marcus Pickens is delighted to announce some very tempting entertainment offerings.
Oodles of inspiration and fun for the foodies
The 36th Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is shaping up as a feast of opportunities for both seasoned foodies and those looking to learn.
Festival Committee Chair and Marlborough grape grower Tracy Johnston describes Marlborough food as one oof the region’s best-kept secrets.
Award-winning musicians matched to award-winning wines
Ten-time NZ music award-winning duo Broods will grace the main stage with an hour-long DJ set, drawing from their popular albums.
Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens anticipates that the Nelson-born artists will be one of the festival’s musical highlights, alongside Coterie – a five piece band with a reputation for excellent live shows.
Exciting newcomers join festival favourites for the 36th Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
The locals-only and early-bird tickets sold out in a flash, a balmy La Niña summer is forecast and wineries are getting ready for the 2023 Marlborough Wine & Food Festival.
Wine Marlborough is delighted to see the return of New Zealand’s longest-running food and wine festival after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. This will be the 36th Wine & Food Festival, bringing exciting newcomers such as Rimapere Vineyard and The Uncommon Wine of New Zealand to the fore alongside family-owned wineries that have exhibited at the festival for many years to become part of the festival’s heritage – such as Hunter’s Wines, Forrest Wines and Wairau River Wines.