What to expect for 2026
World-famous for our fabulous selection of wines, delicious cuisine, and brilliant atmosphere, Marlborough’s iconic Wine & Food Festival will be back Saturday, 14 February 2026.
The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is NZ’s longest running festival - for a reason.
Join us to celebrate wines loved the world over, delectable cuisine and the inescapable atmosphere the Festival offers.
Scroll down to see what we have in store for you on Saturday 14 February, 2026.
Explore our key information below
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Explore our ticket types including admission, transport and add-ons like our popular Masterclasses or click here to get yours.
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For everything you need to know about the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
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A festival site map will be shared here closer to the event.
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Getting to the Festival couldn’t be easier with so many ways to travel.
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Please see the Ticket terms and conditions here.
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Wayver is a festival bank system that saves you time (shorter queues) and eliminates handling cash and cards (contactless).
Get ready for our event by topping up your wristband with credit, before you get it at the gate! Or, just top up when you get here.
On the Menu: Wine and Food
Sample wine from many of Marlborough’s top wineries, satisfy your tastebuds with gourmet street food creations, indulge in a spectacular musical line-up, and soak up the atmosphere the event is renowned for.
Get your Masterclass Tickets
At these beloved experiences you will gain exclusive insights from Marlborough’s finest winemakers and local food producers, delving into a discovery of wine and food that celebrates our enviable wine region and the producers that put it on the map. Tickets are limited.
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Delve into the world of Méthode Marlborough, a collaboration of celebrated Marlborough wine producers dedicated to creating world-class Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines using the ‘traditional method’ for wines produced outside of the French Champagne region.
What to expect:
In this 50-minute masterclass, experience an exclusive insight led by Marlborough’s finest sparkling winemakers.
Discover the centuries-old process being used to create these exceptional wines and learn how Marlborough winemakers naturally turn their wine from still to sparking whilst sampling a variety of Marlborough’s best sparkling wines on offer.
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Let nature take the lead with wines made from wild fermentation and food pairings that embrace funk and flavour. A wild match made in Marlborough just for you.
What to expect:
This 50-minute masterclass is a celebration of wild things from naturally fermented wines to fermentation-led foods, and a fearless approach to wild flavour. Guided by a renowned Marlborough winemaker and a beloved fermentation-focused chef, you’ll explore six wines crafted without commercial yeast, paired perfectly with a selection of fermented food creations.
Uncover the natural science of fermentation and how letting nature take the lead can unlock unique character, complexity, and new layers of flavour in the glass and on the plate.
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Ever wondered how wine medals are won? Learn how to taste like a professional judge and learn the lingo of wine tastings in this interactive blind tasting session. Have you got what it takes?
What to expect:
Presented by expert winemakers and wine show judges, this 50-minute experience will demystify the judging process and give you a better understanding of what sets a gold-medal wine apart-and maybe a new favourite or six.
You’ll taste six wines completely blind (no labels, no clues!) and learn how to assess quality, balance, structure, and varietal expression like a pro.
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Unlock the true meaning of ”age like fine wine” with an exclusive tasting experience unique to the iconic Marlborough region. Paired perfectly with cheese of course.
What to expect:
In this 50-minute masterclass, we’ll put the saying “age like fine wine” to the test and explore how Marlborough wines develop depth and nuance with a little extra time in the cellar.
Taste six perfectly aged wines from the classics you know and love and a few that may surprise you. Each thoughtfully paired with local artisanal cheeses that too have benefited from the promise of time.
Enjoy a relaxed, hands-on experience that shows how patience brings new layers of enjoyment to both the glass and the plate. Sit back, taste, and discover the beauty of time on your palate.
Be entertained by top Kiwi acts.
