A long history of the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
When the very first Marlborough Wine Festival was held in 1985, there were four established wineries in the region, with one yet to release any wines. By 2026, that number had grown to 160 wine companies, producing world-class wines across a range of varieties.
Over the intervening years, the festival grew from a tour of boutique wineries that attracted many locals into a major event, with hundreds of wines poured and enjoyed by thousands of guests from around the world. Many festivals were held at Brancott Vineyard, where some of Marlborough’s first modern-day vineyards were planted.
The festival itself evolved over the years, incorporating produce from the Marlborough region and attracting renowned chefs to showcase the best of it.
Alongside the Culinary Pavilion, guests can take part in wine and food matching and wine masterclasses. In the past it has attracted numbers as large as 17,000, although these days the event is streamlined to be more personal with crowds.
Some of the country’s best-known musicians have also taken part in the festival over the years, including Tim and Neil Finn, Gin Wigmore, Hello Sailor, Opensouls, Avalanche City and Salmonella Dub to name just a few.
Marlborough Wine & Food Festival Pioneers
Explore a short film on the origins of New Zealand's longest running wine festival - the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival. Hear how it all began and the journey the festival up to the 30th Anniversary in 2014.