Promoting premium Marlborough produce has always been the objective of the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival, but next year’s event will be delivering even more of a message.
For Marlborough’s annual Festival, organisers are planning some major changes. Not least will be a new area called the Festival Quarter where a number of wine and food sites will be located. This feature, new to the festival in 2013, will showcase a selection of Marlborough wines for tasting and include wineries that have not participated in the festival before as well as a number of small and boutique brands. The wineries in the Festival Quarter will be accompanied by food producer sites and complemented by live classical music. Wine Marlborough’s General Manager, Marcus Pickens, says the aim is to bring intimacy into the event.
“In the past we have had wineries and food sites spread around the beautiful Brancott Vineyard site, which will be part of the event again in 2013. The introduction of the Festival Quarter will provide festival goers with a whole new experience, in a more intimate setting and also an opportunity to sample the wines from some smaller boutique brands”.
Given the wines are renowned for being food friendly, there will be an even greater emphasis next year on the stunning cuisine of the region. Mr Pickens says the Culinary Pavilion, another feature that will be new in 2013 and free to all, will become the epicentre of everything food.
“Last year we introduced the Chef’s Table, where well known celebrity chefs conducted a number of cooking demonstrations throughout the day. We were overwhelmed at the success of this sub-event and next year we will be extending these sessions even further and incorporating them into a whole new culinary area, where the primary focus is food from Marlborough.”
The diversity of Marlborough’s produce and chefs will be also taking centre stage. A new Marlborough Local Heroes area will give those attending the opportunity to taste the varied gourmet products emanating from the region, while talking with the individual producers. All while sipping the latest release Marlborough wines.
Early Bird festival tickets are on sale from Monday 17 September to Sunday 30 September, buy during this period and go into the draw to win a fantastic festival prize package worth over NZ$2000.
Early Bird festival tickets are NZ$48.00 plus booking fee and only available online via www.marlboroughwinefestival.co.nz. General admission ticket sales open on Monday 1 October, with a new Connoisseur ticket available for the first time. This ticket will provide VIP treatment, access into the Connoisseur Lounge, complimentary wine tastings, light refreshments and festival souvenirs.
The Marlborough Wine and Food Festival is New Zealand’s first ever and longest running festival and is held at the original home of Sauvignon Blanc, Brancott Vineyard, on February 9, 2013.
