Don’t miss Marlborough’s best day out

NEW ZEALAND’S longest-running wine and food festival is back and better than ever this summer.

Held in the heart of wine county, the iconic Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is now in its 37th year. And as ever, the festival is designed to delight both Marlburians and visitors to the region by making excellent wine and delicious food the centrepiece of a fun day of live music and entertainment.

WHERE WONDERFUL WINE MEETS FABULOUS FOOD

The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is your opportunity to sample wines from more than 30 wineries here in Marlborough, including many that don’t have cellar doors open to the public.

Meet growers, winemakers and food producers as you browse and taste at your own pace. This is the place to find new favourite brands and varietals, as well as indulge in those you know and love, so take the time to look around and come back for your favourites.

This year, festival organisers have added a new type of culinary experience, in the form of pop-up restaurants, to the classic festival menu.

One pop-up, Gramado’s Restaurant & Bar, will serve dishes incorporating its signature Brazilian flavours, paired with Giesen wines. Another, Frank’s Oyster Bar and Eatery, will showcase some of Marlborough’s best produce and chef Sam Webb will be joined by his old friend Andy Hearnden (of ‘Andy Cooks’) for a spot of oyster shucking.

PREPARE TO BE INSPIRED

All ticket holders have access to the Culinary Pavilion where celebrated chefs Michael Meredith, Matt Lambert, Sam Webb and Andy Hearnden will entertain with cooking demonstrations.

• Sam Webb & Andy Hearnden, 11.30am – 12.20pm • Matt Lambert, 12.45pm – 1.35pm

• Michael Meredith, 2pm – 2.50pm

The Culinary Pavilion chefs will prepare the best Marlborough produce and artisan foods with their signature flair. For example, Matt Lambert will demonstrate the preparation of locally grown Ōra King Salmon.

And Sam Webb is set to put on a great show with Andy Hearnden, famous for his down-to-earth home cooking videos followed by 10 million people.

ADD A MASTERCLASS TO THE MIX

The 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.

Blend your own special glass of Marlborough pinot noir, taste wild-caught and sustainably harvested foods matched with full-bodied reds, or discover the centuriesold craft of méthode traditionelle – while sampling some of Marlborough’s best sparkling wines, of course.

Masterclasses are an add-on ticket and numbers are limited.

See the festival programme online at marlboroughwinefestival.com

Enjoy excellent wine, great music, a fabulous atmosphere and outstanding food from top chefs like Marlborough’s Sam Webber and his good friend Andy Hearnden from Andy Cooks, right.