Tickets for the 2011 Marlborough Wine Festival, NZ's largest and longest-running wine festival event, are on sale now.
Now in its 27th year, the festival will see hundreds of wines on offer from 60 wineries, 30 gourmet cuisine outlets and amazing New Zealand bands to keep your toes tapping.
Every year the
Marlborough Wine Festival includes tutorials led by some of the region's top winemakers. At next year's festival, the tutorials will look at organic and biodynamic wines.
Pinot gris and chardonnay will also take centre stage in the "Blushing Bridesmaids" tutorial. Often overlooked, these two varieties are adding to Marlborough's reputation as a prestigious wine producer. Visitors will be led through the subtle differences between these two wines, while tasting some of the best Marlborough has to offer.
Although wine and food are the backbone of the festival, the entertainment line-up is equally impressive. With an eye for up-and-coming New Zealand talent, the festival has in the past featured some of the biggest names in the country, including Gin Wigmore, Liam Finn, The Black Seeds and The Phoenix Foundation.
In 2011, Opensouls (pictured), The Checks and Sola Rosa will ensure the large crowd is kept energised and grooving. Opensouls, whose debut album Kaleidoscope impressed reviewers and fans, are considered one of New Zealand's premiere bands, playing a mixture of soul, jazz and R&B.
Sola Rosa, a five-piece from Auckland, are sure to attract a huge crowd. Their latest album Get it Together was released in New Zealand a few months back and will be released in Australia this week. The Checks are well-known for their blues-driven and high-energy rock 'n' roll, and for supporting such bands as The Killers and REM in recent years.
The Marlborough Wine Festival is being held at Brancott Vineyard on Saturday, February 12. With only 8000 tickets available, you'd best get in quick to avoid disappointment.
See www.ticketdirect.co.nz or ph 0800 224 224.
