Marlborough’s new wine tourism destination, Wine + Food Experience Marlborough, has officially opened in Blenheim’s riverside precinct.
The refurbished and central venue brings together and celebrates more than 50 local wineries and food producers under one roof.
Wine + Food offers visitors personalised wine tastings through WineEmotion dispensers, intimate cellar door experiences, along with signature food, cheese and seafood.
“Our mission with Wine + Food is to enhance the cellar door journey, not replace it,” says Wine + Food Experience Marlborough Managing Director, Lenny O’Connell.
“Wine + Food ensures visitors to Marlborough who are short on time do not miss tasting the expertly crafted premium wine unique to our region.
“We have designed Wine + Food to be a place where locals, businesses, and visitors come together to experience the region’s finest from wines and seasonal cuisine to thoughtfully curated tastings and special events.”
The venue introduces a personalised wine dispensing system, where guests receive a WineEmotion card to sample wines at their preferred quantity (a taste, half pour, or full glass) and pace.
Custom-built display units feature immersive digital monitors sharing wineries’ brand stories and tasting notes.
Christchurch-based artists Steve Trevella and Rose McKenzie were commissioned to produce a hanging sculpture in the double level foyer of the venue, depicting copper and stainless-steel vines with golden globes of grapes.
With capacity for up to 420 guests, Wine + Food features several private event spaces including tasting rooms for personalised experiences, a sheltered outdoor terrace with elevated views of the Taylor River and Richmond Ranges, ideal for corporate events, intimate weddings or after-work drinks.
The venue is well positioned to become the new go-to destination for pre- and post-show dining for locals attending events at the neighbouring ASB Theatre.
“We’re proud to breathe new life into the former Clubs of Marlborough building and the Wine + Food Experience will soon be complemented by an adjoining restaurant, expected to open shortly, offering lunch and dinner service to complete the culinary journey,” says O’Connell.
In addition to local wines, guests can enjoy beer, gin and whiskey tastings and purchase featured products through the on-site off-licence.
Guests can also enjoy platters with artisanal products including Little River Estate cheeses, local charcuterie from Premium Game, and Manaaki preserves and condiments.
Seafood experiences are also available as a signature seafood offering, crayfish, Marlborough oysters, Mills Bay mussels, Cloudy Bay clams, and smoked salmon.
The Wine + Food Experience Marlborough is open daily from 11am to 10pm, welcoming guests after traditional cellar doors have closed.
“Whether visiting Marlborough for the first time or returning to discover more of the region, Wine + Food offers visitors a new way to taste their way through local vineyards and food producers in a welcoming space, in any weather,” says O’Connell.
“This is where locals and visitors alike can gather, taste, and experience the true character and spirit of Marlborough.”
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Dining and Cooking