MARLBOROUGH WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL 2013

Press Release

September 12, 2012

CHANGE IS COMING TO THE MARLBOROUGH WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL

 New features , new experiences, new wineries

 An Epicentre of Food Planned

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 $2000. Early Bird festival tickets are $48.00 plus booking fee and only available online via http://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.

The entertainment line-up for next year’s festival will be announced shortly.

For further information:

Marcus Pickens

Wine Marlborough General Manager

Ph: +64 3 577 9299

Mob: +64 21 831 820

Email: Marcus@wine-marlborough.co.nz

www.marlboroughwinefestival.co.nz

Marlborough New Zealand Wine Festival

The Marlborough Wine Festival is New Zealand’s longest running and most successful wine festival. Take the opportunity to sample a unique selection of Marlborough wines along with some delicious local produce and gourmet cuisine.

The festival offers something for everyone including wine tutorials with the regions’ leading wine makers and viticulturists, Thomas’s Fashion in the Vines competition, food and wine matching and fantastic entertainment from some of New Zealand’s leading performers.

The festival is the second Saturday in February. Destination Marlborough is an excellent resource to help plan your trip.

Here is a video showing guests enjoying wine from Wairau River Wines.

Happy Birthday to Nautilus Estate of Marlborough New Zealand

“It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They’ve been going in and out of style But they’re guaranteed to raise a smile. So may I introduce to you……….”

New Zealand wines have a short history and only a few have 25 years of experience, Nautilus Estate in Marlborough is one who recently celebrated their 25th birthday. 

 

I like people and wineries who have confidence in what they do – Nautilus Estate  displayed this recently at a Twitter #SauvBlanc tasting and opened a 2002 Sauvignon Blanc – while a Twitter tasting does not let participants share what is in everyone’s glass – I give them the benefit of the doubt and believe their 2002 was still a respectable glass of wine. This is special when so many wines today do not excite enough to have a second glass. 

Happy Birthday to everyone at Nautilus Estate.

Click to Play 25th Anniversary Video

Christchurch/Southern New Zealand wins wine capital of the world title

Christchurch/Southern New Zealand has been selected as the New Zealand representative on the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network. 

The Great Wine Capitals network, which includes as members wine regions such as Bordeaux, France and San Francisco/Napa Valley in the US, is an international network of major wine producing regions which aims to promote tourism, education and business exchange.

The Christchurch City Council-led bid to join the international network incorporates the wine growing regions of Canterbury, Waipara Valley, Marlborough and Central Otago. As the largest wine-growing region in the South Island, Marlborough took a key role in the bid.

Click here to read the rest of the announcement…..

Bio Dynamic New Zealand Wines

The Hippy Gourmet is traveling through New Zealand and has a really nice video from Seresin Estate in Marlborough. Check it out and share with others.

Wines of Clos Marguerite

Meet Marguerite and learn a little about the special wines that are created by her and Jean Charles at their vineyard in Marlborough New Zealand. The vineyard is located on a river terrace above the Awatere River. Both Marguerite and Jean Charles agree that wines that are special and bring lasting memories begin in the vineyard. Today Marguerite talks about both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv)