Sponsored: A Sublime New Experience

The transformation of the former Clubs of Marlborough building into the Alfred Taylor Centre which is home to the Wine + Food experience is a masterpiece. It is a major destination set to showcase the best of Marlborough’s most celebrated wine region under one roof. Part tasting room, part cultural showcase, and part hospitality hub, this exciting new development promises to change the way locals and visitors alike experience Marlborough.

ADRIENNE MATTHEWS

From vision to life, the experience is here. Located between the ASB Theatre, the Marlborough Events Centre, and overlooking the Taylor River Reserve, it is being positioned as a vibrant new hub for both tourism and the local community.

Managing Director of Wine + Food, Lenny O’Connell, says the goal is to complement, not compete with, the region’s wineries and producers. “At its core, the experience is about storytelling. It brings together wine, food, art, and history in one beautifully designed space.”

“We’re offering another avenue for Marlborough to shine,” he explains. “Many wineries are represented here including some that don’t have cellar doors. It provides the perfect opportunity for visitors short on time or groups of friends or colleagues to go somewhere in the CBD to taste, learn, and be inspired.”

Inside, visitors will find curated displays of Marlborough’s wineries, guided by in-house staff trained to cellar-door standards. There are also tastings of local beers, gins, cheeses, charcuterie, and seafood. Guests will soon be able to choose a guided pairing such as wine and seafood or cheese and wine from an ever-rotating showcase of regional produce. Innovative wine dispenser machines will allow for self-guided tastings for those who like to explore at their own pace while private tasting rooms will offer exclusive experiences in a more intimate setting.

Soon to open will be the Oak and Ivy restaurant. Expect the menu to be a love letter to Marlborough produce with seasonal dishes that highlight fresh seafood, artisan cheeses, and locally grown ingredients, paired seamlessly with the region’s wines, served beautifully in a refined but welcoming space.

Wine + Food has been carefully designed with versatility in mind. Event spaces cater for intimate gatherings, corporate meetings, or large functions for up to 400 guests. From a fireside room to glass-enclosed terraces, the variety of settings allows for tailored experiences, whether it’s a wedding, business conference, or family celebration. By combining hospitality, retail, and events, the Alfred Taylor Centre is positioning itself as an anchor for Marlborough’s tourism economy. “What’s exciting is that it’s drawing visitors during Marlborough’s quieter winter months, which lifts the whole region,” says Lenny.

The building’s transformation has been no small feat. Local construction teams, designers, and artisans have all played a part, from creating custom wine dispenser units to installing the spectacular foyer chandelier, a grapevine-inspired sculpture designed by Ross McKenzie and artist Steve Travella.

Developer Chris Thornley, whose vision has driven the project, says it has been a collective effort: “This has been about progressive thinking and a collaborative mindset. The community, Council, and local businesses have all played a role in making it happen.”

As if Wine + Food wasn’t enough, a major hotel development is also on the horizon. Construction begins soon on a 123-room, six-storey hotel, scheduled to open in 2027. Linked to the Alfred Taylor Centre via a skybridge, the hotel is expected to further cement Marlborough’s reputation as a premium destination for both leisure and business travellers. This hotel will take Marlborough to another level and give people a reason to spend their days, nights, and money in what is a game-changer for Blenheim’s CBD.

For locals, Wine + Food offers a new gathering place. Blenheim Mayor Nadine Taylor summed it up at a preview event: “This is a place for us. A place to meet family and friends, to celebrate our region, and to enjoy what’s been created right here in our town. It’s not just the icing on the cake; it really is the cake itself.”

Marlborough has long been synonymous with world-class wine and spectacular scenery but until now, there hasn’t been a single space where those elements come together in a way that’s accessible to everyone. Wine + Food changes that. With its blend of tasting rooms, event spaces, dining, and soon, a landmark hotel, Blenheim is set to redefine how visitors engage with the region and for locals, it’s a reminder that the best of Marlborough isn’t just for the world to discover, it’s here to be enjoyed every day. As Lenny puts it: “Wine + Food is your gateway to the best of Marlborough. It’s about taste, care, and authenticity and we can’t wait to welcome you.”