The Marlborough Wine Weekend 2011 - October 28-30

300 Wine Lovers
3 Glorious Days
3 Valleys
2 Lunches
2 Dinners
1 Brunch
1 Cruise
And over 150 Wines

The Marlborough Wine Weekend will showcase the very best of Marlborough in an atmosphere of conviviality, fine wine and gourmet cuisine. 300 wine lovers will be treated to an array of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Over 40 wineries will be showcasing their wines over the weekend, click here for a list of the participating wineries.

New Features

MWW Master Class Series

The Master Class Series is a new feature at the Marlborough Wine Weekend and its objective is to provide a more intimate, interactive and educational experience for guests during the weekend.

Master Class #1 - The Winemaker's Bench
The Winemaker's Bench will be held at some of the region's top wineries including:

• Spy Valley
• Seresin Estate
• Wither Hills
• Mahi
• Nautilus Estate
• Villa Maria
• Framingham
• Fromm

Guests will be treated to an exclusive session with local winemakers, learning how they create their new vintage Pinot Noir and given the opportunity to make their own blend.

Master Class #2 - The Marlborough White Wine and Cheese Pairing
As the Marlborough wine industry evolves, so too does the New Zealand cheese industry. Cuisine Magazine Deputy Food Editor Fiona Smith along with a panel of cheese and wine experts will take guests through the art of pairing through tasting and comparison of New Zealand cheeses matched with Marlborough white wines.

Proudly sponsored by Whitestone Cheese and Sherrington Grange, Marlborough.

Weekend Highlights

The Marlborough Gourmet Feast with Des Harris, Clooney

Always an absolute highlight for guests over the weekend, the Marlborough Gourmet Feast is guaranteed to WOW everyone who attends.

Des Harris from Clooney Restaurant in Auckland will create and present a delectable 4 course degustation menu, specifically matched with a rare selection of library wine from Marlborough leading wineries.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sample some of Marlborough's top vintage wines.

The Marlborough Valleys Odyssey

Guests will be whisked off to some stunning locations in the Awatere, Wairau and Southern Valleys for two unique tastings featuring Marlborough Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.

Between the two tastings, guests will dine in a picturesque mystery location at the Marlborough Long Lunch. Marlborough's delicious produce will be showcased and the wine list will feature some of the region's top aromatic wines.

Guest Chefs
Des Harris
As mentioned, Des Harris of award winning Auckland restaurant, Clooney will be the guest chef of The Marlborough Gourmet Feast on Saturday 29 October.

Citing the innovative Matt Moran of Sydney's Aria and other "confident" Aussies (is there any other kind?) as influences, Harris' style is classic and contemporary, refined and restrained.

Des will be designing and preparing a four course menu tailored to match a carefully selected collection of older vintage Marlborough wines. The Gourmet Feast will be held in the magical gardens of Timara Lodge.

Maree Connolly

Maree Connolly will be returning as guest chef for the Twilight Garden Party, after recieving wonderful feedback around her menu and dishes in 2009.

Maree is head chef at d'Urville Hotel and was awarded a highly coveted 'New Zealand Beef and Lamb Ambassador' title – one of only a handful in New Zealand. Other career highlights include cooking for the late Sir Edmund Hillary's 80th birthday celebration, Chef to Sultan of Brunei when he was in NZ, coaching award-winning teams at the Auckland Culinary Fare, member of the Hospitality Standards Institute review committee governing the cooking standards for apprentice chefs, Her reputation as one of the region's finest chefs comes solely from her experiences in the South Island, something she is justifiably proud of.

Tickets
Tickets for the Marlborough Wine Weekend are now on sale and can be purchased through the Wine Marlborough website.

If you would like to purchase extra tickets to certain events, you can also do this through the above link or contacting Sarah Booker.

Schedule

To view the official Marlborough Wine Weekend schedule, please click here to view online and download.

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for their continued support of the Marlborough Wine Weekend:

Gold:
Adhesifs; TOLL
Silver:
Regal Salmon; Zerrutti
Bronze:
National Bank; Marlborough Vintners Hotel

For more information on the event please visit the official Marlborough Wine Weekend website.

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