An exciting chapter in Marlborough’s wine story has landed with the official opening of Wine + Food Experience Marlborough in Blenheim’s riverside precinct.
On Tuesday 23 September, more than 100 invited guests gathered as the Mayor of Marlborough, Nadine Taylor, cut the ribbon and declared the venue open.
The refurbished space brings together over 50 of the region’s wineries and food producers under one roof. You can enjoy intimate cellar door-style tastings, local cheeses, seafood and signature dishes. All without leaving central Blenheim! You’ll also find a super cool feature, the WineEmotion dispensers, allowing you to sample wines at your own pace from a sip to a full pour.
“Our mission with Wine + Food is to enhance the cellar door journey, not replace it,” said 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.”
Adding to the sense of arrival, a striking foyer sculpture by Christchurch-based artists Steve Trevella and Rose McKenzie features twisting copper and stainless-steel vines with golden globes of grapes.
With room for up to 420 guests, the venue includes private tasting rooms, a sheltered terrace overlooking the Taylor River and Richmond Ranges and versatile event spaces perfect for corporate gatherings, weddings or after-work drinks.
“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 Lenny.
You can also enjoy local beer, gin and whiskey tastings, artisan platters from producers such as Little River Estate, Premium Game and Manaaki, along with a standout seafood selection. Crayfish, Marlborough oysters, Mills Bay mussels, Cloudy Bay clams and smoked salmon… yum!
Wine + Food Experience Marlborough is open daily offering a stylish option after traditional cellar doors have closed. The line-up includes award-winning labels, from Isabel Estate’s Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2022, named Wine of the Year at the London Wine Competition, to Te Whare Ra’s Single Vineyard 5182 Rosé, crowned 2025 Rosé of the Year by The Real Review.
“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. This is where locals and visitors alike can gather, taste, and experience the true character and spirit of Marlborough,” says Lenny.
Wine + Food Experience Marlborough is located at 42 Alfred Street, Blenheim-Central, open seven days from 11am – 10pm.