Starting the cycle again

For the final interview before the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival, reporter William Woodworth speaks with Wine Marlborough Association Deputy Chair and Festival advisory committee member Tracy Johnston.

The hard work for Tracy Johnston’s role on the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival’s advisory committee starts as the final guests leave Renwick Domain on Saturday night.

Festival day marks the culmination of many long-term plans coming to fruition for the Wine Marlborough team and the Festival Committee before the process starts again in preparation of the 2026 event.

“At this point it's all set in place, and we now just need to execute well on the day – this is the biggest single activity that Wine Marlborough does each year.

“It's a significant piece of work that we deliver for our members and the region,” Tracy says.

Wine Marlborough is also very proud to employ 15 community groups who support the success of the event with the funds going directly back into local initiatives.

Tracy says her Saturday will be primarily spent experiencing the region’s biggest day out.

“On the day, the Festival Committee members are observing how everything is working together, hearing from people just what this event means to them and picking up that sentiment to take into planning for next year.

“A big part of our work is almost straight after the event, assessing what went well and what we'd like to do a little differently to keep the event fresh…”

The team has also introduced a new VIP experience in the Culinary Pavilion offering front row tickets for the real food focused attendees.

This year features more varied entertainment across three stages and showcasing low and no alcohol wine options.

Tracy loves that the variety of the festival now reflects the variety of the attendees.

“We’ve been just delighted with the response to the Renwick venue - part of the excitement for this year was looking at how we could evolve the offering within the site,” she says,

“The day brings something for tourists who plan their NZ itinerary to attend, familiar faces catching up with friends and celebrating the last big hurrah before the business end of harvest, or locals proudly hosting out of town guests.”