Marlborough Wine and Food Festival

Marlborough Wine & Food Festival

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Food & DrinkBlenheim
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forRegional food & drinkThe inaugural 1985 festival bussed visitors
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NZD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Marlborough Wine and Food Festival in Blenheim

First held in 1985 when Marlborough had only four wineries, the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival is New Zealand's longest-running wine festival, now drawing around 8,000 people each February to sample from more than 40 regional wineries and food producers in a single, warm summer day.

When the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival was first held in 1985, the region it celebrates had only four established wineries, and one of those had not yet even released a wine to sell.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The inaugural 1985 festival bussed visitors between vineyards in a region that then had just four established wineries, one of which had not yet released a wine

02

The mystery stays covered

that region has since become internationally known for Sauvignon Blanc

03

The city starts moving

The festival long ran at Brancott Estate before moving to Renwick Domain for its 2025 and 2026 editions, and now brings together more than 40 wineries and local food producers with live music and cooking demonstrations for a single Saturday each summer

04

The water draws everyone in

The scale of that growth, from a bus tour of four cellar doors to a headline event for New Zealand's dominant wine region, is the festival's clearest evergreen story

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Sampling directly from winery stalls set up among the vines

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a format carried over from the festival's original 1985 vineyard bus tours

The sacred route

Living ritual

remains the core of the day alongside live music and cooking demonstrations

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Arrive early for popular stalls and pace the route instead of trying to taste everything.

What to wear

Light summer clothing, a sun hat and sunglasses, and comfortable closed shoes for standing and walking between stalls, since the festival runs outdoors in Marlborough's warm, dry February...

Safety

At Marlborough Wine and Food Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Blenheim you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

NZD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.52 S, 173.95 EOpen in Google Maps

Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand

Nearest airportWLG — Wellington
TransportArrive early for popular stalls and pace the route instead of trying to taste everything.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Blenheim you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Blenheim via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Blenheim, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearLight summer clothing, a sun hat and sunglasses, and comfortable closed shoes for standing and walking between stalls, since the festival runs outdoors in Marlborough's warm, dry February climate.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for New Zealand and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Marlborough Wine and Food Festival?

Marlborough Wine and Food Festival is listed for Past edition: 14 February 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Marlborough Wine and Food Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Blenheim, New Zealand. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmarlboroughwinefestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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