Meet the Masterclass hosts - The Beauty of Time
When booking your tickets, treat yourself or your whānau to one (or more!) of our 50-minute Masterclasses, running throughout the day.
With three sessions to choose from, each masterclass is interactive, fun, packed with insider knowledge designed to enhance your festival experience. All classes are held in air-conditioned rooms in the Pavilion Building, offering a cool, relaxed space to enjoy the festival.
The Beauty of Time: Aged Marlborough Wine & Cheese
2:30 pm
Unlock the true meaning of the phrase “age like fine wine” with an exclusive Marlborough tasting, perfectly paired with cheese.
Taste six beautifully aged wines, from beloved classics to a few surprises, each matched with artisanal cheeses that have also benefitted from time.
Led by Simon Lamb (Thorvald Cheese) and Andy Petrie (Wither Hills), this guided tasting explores how patience, craft and place create complexity and depth worth waiting for.
Andy Petrie, Wither Hills
Andrew joined Wither Hills winery as winemaker in 2008 after a seven year stint at Petaluma winery in the Adelaide Hills whilst completing his Bachelor of Wine Science at Charles Sturt University. Andrew has been a keen member of the NZ Society for Viticulture and Oenology for a number of years and previously the Methode Marlborough society, he is also a regular judge at the NZ International Wine Show.
Simon Lamb, Thorvald Cheese
Simon Lamb is a highly respected New Zealand cheesemaker with over 20 years’ experience, deeply connected to the Marlborough region. Trained through hands-on work with traditional producers in France and Italy, Simon blends technical precision with an intuitive, craft-driven approach to cheesemaking.
Former co-owner and principal cheesemaker of award-winning Cranky Goat, his cheeses have earned multiple gold and silver medals at the New Zealand Cheese Awards and international recognition in the UK. Simon also served six years on the board of the New Zealand Specialist Cheese Association, including four as Chair.
Now Operations Manager at Thorvald Cheese in Upper Moutere, Simon oversees the production of goat, sheep, and A2 cow’s milk cheeses. Passionate about both making and sharing great cheese, he brings deep knowledge, insight, and storytelling to every tasting experience.