The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, New Zealand’s longest-running wine and food celebration, returns for its 38^th year on 8 February 2025.

This unforgettable day out is truly a feast for the senses.  Held in the heart of wine country, the festival celebrates all there is to love about Marlborough’s wine, people, food and landscapes.

Internationally renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant wine culture, delicious seafood, produce and artisan foods, Marlborough can’t help but deliver an excellent weekend away – and a stunning festival.

The festival’s heritage status is reflected strongly in the calibre of local makers exhibiting on the day.  With over 30 wineries and 20 food providers in attendance, festival-goers are spoilt for choice, enjoying sampling beautiful local wines, pairing their favourite drop with delectable dishes, and meeting the people who make them. Many of the wineries at the festival do not have cellar doors, so this is your best opportunity to experience their wines on offer.

All ticket holders have access to the Culinary Pavilion, where celebrated chefs Al Brown and Polly Markus will showcase dishes using the best Marlborough produce and artisan foods with their signature flair. Alongside Polly and Al, some of Marlborough’s local culinary heroes will work with products from small-scale local food producers, delighting attendees with their creativity.

For an elevated festival experience, opt for The Lounge or VIP Retreat experience when purchasing tickets, or add a Masterclass or two to your General Admission.

The Lounge experience grants you exclusive access to a comfortable area where you can sit back and relax. You will be treated to bite-sized appetisers from local chefs throughout the day, along with two glasses of Marlborough Méthode Traditionelle or Rosé at the Lounge bar.

Or, you can take the tastebuds up a notch with exclusive access to the VIP Retreat, where you will enjoy tasty cuisine throughout the day, prepared by local chefs, and access to a bar stocked with award-winning Marlborough wines, local beer and non-alcohol alternatives whenever you want throughout the day.

Wine education is a key part of the programme, with four masterclasses available at the 2025 festival.  These masterclasses are a destination in themselves, with many festival-goers shaping their day around one or more of these fun, hands-on, 50-minute sessions.

In the Méthode Marlborough Masterclass you will enjoy a selection of Marlborough’s finest sparkling wines, while the winemakers explain the centuries-old process to create them.

The New Waves of Whites Masterclass is a fresh spin on white wine and cheese pairing – bringing emerging Marlborough white wine varietals to your table to taste and learn to pair perfectly with artisanal Marlborough cheeses.

The Sipping Smarter Masterclass puts low and no-alcohol wines in the spotlight. Marlborough winemakers are meeting increasing demand for these options, without compromising taste and quality.

The South Marlborough Masterclass pairs wines with bites of sustainably sourced meats and seasonal produce, while a local farming family tell their stories about life on the high-county Middlehurst Station.