16 | Spotlight on region’s wine and food Wine, beer and gin tastings are available, with exclusive cellar door experiences in partnership with Mana Winegrowers and Esses Estate. Wine + Food Experience Marlborough T T Kim Newth REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT An elegantly-styled new venue in central Blenheim, overlooking the Taylor River, is showcasing the region’s outstanding wines and artisan food with exciting new opportunities for private corporate groups to explore what’s on offer. Wine + Food Experience Marlborough, which opened in mid-September, brings together more than 50 wineries and food producers at the Alfred Taylor Centre, close to the ASB Theatre and Marlborough Events Centre. Previously used as a bar by Clubs of Marlborough, the space has been completely repurposed under new owners to create a sophisticated tasting room, a long bar, an outdoor terrace with a luxurious outdoor room overlooking the river, and private event spaces that can accommodate up to 420 guests. “We are available for private function bookings, including exclusive use bookings,” says Managing Director Lenny O’Connell. “We can comfortably hold 250 to 300 people, with options for smaller corporate groups as well. We have two private tasting rooms that double as small meeting rooms and a boardroom that people can also utilise. “We are nearly fully booked for Christmas but welcome enquiries from those looking towards their new year plans. We’ve had a lot of local businesspeople coming here for small meetings and casual gatherings, having wine and a platter. They really like that choice of the main bar area or being able to book one of the smaller tasting rooms if needed.” Wine, beer and gin tastings are available, including exclusive cellar door experiences in partnership with Mana Winegrowers and Esses Estate. Wine + Food Experience Marlborough has been generating considerable interest within the local community. Italian-made self-serve wine dispensers are proving a popular inclusion, enabling people to sample wine at their own pace. It also means larger groups, including cruise ship visitors, can be easily managed. Complementing Wine + Food is a newly opened restaurant by Marlborough chef Edward Drury called Oak and Ivy, again showcasing the best that the region has to offer. Launching Wine + Food Experience Marlborough while New Zealand’s hospitality sector is still pretty downbeat may seem inauspicious but Lenny says there’s no time like the present to celebrate Marlborough’s famous Sauvignon Blanc and other quality offerings. “Marlborough has been slipping under the radar compared to Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago. “We see this as an opportunity to showcase Marlborough’s uniqueness and the region’s outstanding producers. “We’re also linking up with the Marlborough Events Centre so people attending a conference can come to us for an exclusive experience or simply to sample the venue. We can see growing synergies with the ASB Theatre too.” BIDFOOD NELSON Your local foodservice partner — supplying quality ingredients and reliable delivery to cafés, restaurants, caterers, and more. 03 547 5349 2/750 Lower Queen St, Richmond bidfood.co.nz We offer: • 11,000+ foodservice products • Fresh, frozen & chilled ingredients • Next-day delivery, 6 days a week • Easy online ordering with MyBidfood PROVIDING HEATING AND COOLING SOLUTIONS TO MARLBOROUGH SINCE 1983 Proudly Supporting Wine + Food Experience Marlborough • Installation, Maintenance & Repairs • Air Conditioning & Ventilation • Chiller & Freezer Rooms • In-house Design Services • 12A Certification for BWOF • 24/7 Emergency Call Out 1 Freswick St, Blenheim | office@martella.co.nz | 03 578 0030 www.martella.co.nz “We see this as an opportunity to showcase Marlborough’s uniqueness and the region’s outstanding producers.” Open seven days from 11am to 10pm, Wine + Food Experience Marlborough’s hours mean visitors can sample local wines after cellar doors have closed for the day. “We provide a snapshot of the cellar door experience but we also encourage our visitors to go out and visit local wineries too.” The venture’s other partners are Chris Thornley, who chairs Alfred Taylor Developments and fellow directors Nic Smith and Brendan O’Donovan. A new 123-bed, six-storey hotel is also coming to central Blenheim in 2027, with an airbridge link to the Alfred Taylor Centre. It will build further momentum for this new wine and food hub and boost Blenheim’s rising profile as a conference and visitor experience destination.
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