Marlborough Wine Festival Organisers Expect Another Sell Out

December 17, 2010

• Ticket sales ahead of last year
• Locals warned not to leave it until the last minute

The countdown to the 2011 Marlborough Wine Festival has begun and organisers are urging people to get their tickets now.

With more than 60 wineries on a superb vineyard site, in excess of 30 food stalls, award winning entertainment, Fashion in the Vines and expert tutorials, the festival is rated as one of the best Kiwi attractions in the AA’s 101 Must Do Weekends.

While wine is the major attraction, Wine Marlborough’s GM Marcus Pickens says the entertainment and array of food available play a vital role in the success of the day.

“There is so much more awareness of wine and food matching and the festival is the ideal event to promote that. We have the Supreme Food and Wine Match competition, where wineries and local chefs are working together to deliver the perfect combination. Festival goers will also get to taste and judge for the People’s Choice Award.”

Entertainment wise the festival has become known as a springboard for some of New Zealand’s most talented musicians. Next year will be no different, with two of the three major acts having won awards at the 2010 Vodafone Music Awards.

OpenSouls’ album, Standing in the Rain won the Best Aotearoa Roots trophy, while The Checks won Best Rock Album with Alice by the Moon. They will be joined by Sola Rosa and local Marlborough band Remastered.

Mr Pickens, says being the longest running festival of its kind, the event attracts thousands of people from throughout New Zealand as well as overseas. And given ticket sales for the 12 February 2011 event are ahead of last year, he’s encouraging people not to leave it until the last minute.

“In the past few years the Marlborough Wine Festival has been a complete sell-out and we have been inundated in the week leading up to the festival, by people desperate to get tickets. While we are expecting another sell-out next year, we want to make sure that locals and visitors alike don’t miss out, so with only 56 days left until the festival we are encouraging them to get in now.”

The Marlborough Wine Festival is being held at Brancott Vineyard on February 12. Tickets are available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 224 224.

ENDS

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