The post The Wine Station – launch of The Cheese Board appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>“As part of our wine offer we serve cheese platters, and we sell a lot, so we wanted to be able to sell the cheeses that we have on our platter and over time we became quite well-known for having good quality cheeses,” said Wine Station owner and director Angela Wentworth.
“We have been dealing with a lot of local cheesemakers : Cranky goat, Thorvald, Little River, Kaikoura Cheese. After Covid-19 people are more likely to buy local because they want to support our local suppliers,” said Wentworth.”
Thanks to one of her local suppliers, Wentworth met Nelson-based cheese expert Virginnia Thomas, who runs cheese clubs in Nelson, and asked her to do the same in Blenheim.
Thomas – who is only one of only three people in Australasia to be awarded the title of Certified Cheese Professional – will host the ‘cheese board’ every month at The Wine Station.
“I look forward to sharing my passion for all things dairy. New Zealand cheese has its own identity depending on where and how it’s produced.
“The cheese made here by many producers is absolutely world-class. Similar to the way the rest of the world sat up and paid attention to our wines, they are now paying attention to our cheeses,” Thomas said.
For the first club cheese, Thomas will be with Cranky Goat cheesemaker Simon Lamb and Marisco winemaker David Foes who will do a wine match with the cheese available on that night.
The Wine Station director Angela Wentworth said they have a wine or a winery of the month which showcases one supplier or one producer and next month will be Marisco.
“For the next cheese event we’ll have another winemaker, or we might bring in a chef from on of our local restaurant to talk about how they use cheeses for their recipes.
“We might do a gin and cheese evening, a chocolate and cheese evening … It is open.” Wentworth said.
The new monthly cheese club is a good way to attract local foodies after a slow summer.
“Our business is obviously tourism-oriented. We did not have the cruise ships that we normally would have coming in during the busy season.
“It has been a bit tricky for us which is why we are trying to do things like our new cheese event and look at what we are offering to our local market.”
The first meeting of the Cheese Board is taking place on Wednesday, April 14 at 7pm at The Wine Station.
To read the full article on Marlborough Express, click on the link below:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/information/300265545/wine-station-happy-to-show-off-with-launch-of-cheese-club
The post The Wine Station – launch of The Cheese Board appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The post New Monthly Cheese Club With International Cheese Guru appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>Virginnia has been inducted into the prestigious French Guilde Internationale des Fromagers, with the title Garde et Juré (guard and judge) for her work with French specialty cheese and is only one of only three people in Australasia to be awarded the American Cheese Society title of “Certified Cheese Professional”. Nelson-based Virginnia is not only a cheese expert but also a nutritionist who is excited to see sheep and goat cheeses becoming more mainstream, allowing those avoiding cows milk to enjoy delicious cheeses.
Comments Virginnia, “The Cheese Board” will be a monthly get-together to talk, taste and, discover all things cheese. I look forward to sharing my passion for all things dairy. New Zealand cheese has its own identity depending on where and how it’s produced. Just like New Zealand wine, it is a product that reflects the place where it is created. The cheese made here by many producers is absolutely world-class. Similar to the way the rest of the world sat up and paid attention to our wines, they are now paying attention to our cheeses.”
Comments Angela Wentworth from The Wine Station, “The Wine Station is well-known for having 80 local wines available for tasting, we also pride ourselves on showcasing our regional gourmet and craft food producers. Showcasing cheese (and wine) is a natural fit for The Wine Station, so we are thrilled to have Virginnia share her knowledge and passion for cheese at our first meeting of “The Cheese Board”.
The first meeting of “The Cheese Board” is taking place on Wednesday, 14th April at 7pm at The Wine Station. Tickets are $35 per person, which includes tasting of three cheeses together with a wine match and tasting notes. Q&A session with Virginnia thereafter. Pre-bookings essential.
The post New Monthly Cheese Club With International Cheese Guru appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The post Stay & Play in Marlborough appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>Wine and Dine in Marlborough!
This package includes,
*Two night stay in a Chateau Studio for two people
*Breakfast included for two
*1x two course dinner in Quench Restaurant
*Two wine tasting cards and a cheese platter at The Wine Station
*Local bottle of Sauvignon Blanc on arrival
Valid for Friday, Saturday, Sunday night stays only. Minimum of 2 night stay.
Valid till 30th September 2020.
For bookings, go to www.marlboroughnz.co.nz/book-online
The post Stay & Play in Marlborough appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The post Marlborough Art & Wine Fair appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>Marlborough is world-renowned as a celebrated wine region, and also boasts an incredible amount of artistic and creative talent. Wine and art converge into The Marlborough Art & Wine Fair – a celebration of our best art and wine.
The Marlborough Art & Wine Fair hosted at The Wine Station will be a 12-week celebration of different groups of local artists showcasing paintings, sculptures, ceramic works & photographic art.
For more info, go to Marlborough Art & Wine Fair website.
The post Marlborough Art & Wine Fair appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The post Marlborough Express, 4th Sept 2019. appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>Wine tourists spent more than $3 billion in New Zealand last year. Nearly 777,000 people visited these shores just for the wine.
Yet in New Zealand’s wine capital, Marlborough, foot traffic in the main town centre is “falling off a cliff”, according to one councillor, and weekend trading is not worth the effort, if you ask some retailers.
A group of businesses had a hui last week to discuss ways of attracting more punters into the central business district (CBD). Ideas included twilight markets, live music, and extended opening hours.
Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens said plenty of tourists were coming to the region, but for wine, so a lot of that money was going to the wineries on the outskirts of Blenheim.
The CBD might benefit from some extra visitors but more so the wineries, Pickens said.
The New Zealand Winegrowers’ annual report, released this month, showed 23 per of international tourists visited a winery, while international wine tourists stayed 3.5 days longer than the average holiday visitor and spent 27 per cent more.
SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF
The Wine Station general manager Michelle Osgood, centre, says tourists want food, wine and a good atmosphere.
The food and wine experience was a huge driver for visitors to come back, Pickens said.
“Tourists want an authentic experience, that comes from the sense of space, which is why cellar doors do well being among vineyards,” Pickens said.
“In saying that, concepts like the Wine Station work – they’re doing an amazing job in enriching that experience for people.”
The Wine Station, beside the Blenheim Railway Station just outside the CBD, was a wine tasting hub, with a selection of 80 Marlborough wines in one place.
The Marlborough Flyer steam train brought cruise ships passengers from Picton to the station regularly over summer.
Wine Station general manager Michelle Osgood said tourists wanted food, wine and a good atmosphere.
“This is more about sitting down like you’re in your lounge room and having a glass of wine and some nibbles,” Osgood said. “And then you go to a restaurant and have a meal.
“I personally think that wine tourism is what is bringing tourists to Marlborough and then they get here and they find out that we’ve got just about everything.”
Osgood believed cellar doors were open at the right time of the day, with most closing about 4.30-5pm, and that bringing a cellar door into the CBD would not work as a business model.
“It doesn’t make sense for a cellar door to be open at 9pm because it’s not a bar, it’s a cellar door about wine tastings and wine education,” Osgood said.
SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF
Osgood says the business is about feeling like you’re in your lounge having some nibbles before going somewhere else for dinner.
Marlborough Chamber of Commerce chief executive Hans Neilson said it was important to look at wine tourism through a CBD lens, so retailers could understand how to make the most of the opportunity.
Neilson said it was important to recognise that CBDs were in a state of change worldwide, so this should be factored into Marlborough’s long-term thinking.
“The good news is there is no shortage of motivation to see the CBD prosper,” Neilson said. “With committed people, businesses and organisations already working hard in this space, and the size of the opportunity that’s sitting on our front door step, this is good news for Marlborough.”
The Marlborough Flyer does return trips from Picton to Blenheim for cruise ship passengers over summer.
Red Hot Fashions shop assistant and Airbnb host Bronwyn Clark believed events such as the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival helped bring people into the CBD – but events like this were only once a year.
Clark found guests often asked questions on which wineries to visit and where was good to go for a meal.
Wither Hills venue manager Marcus Simmerlein said it would not be financially viable to stay open after 5pm.
“The cruise ships come for the day so it makes sense to open when we do, we’re a winery first and foremost,” Simmerlein said.
He said during summer it might work if they opened on a Friday and Saturday, but because they were also a wedding venue it was not practical.
Wine Tourists (propensity of top international visitor market to visit a winery)
United Kingdom: 36 per cent
United States: 35 per cent
Australia: 25 per cent
China: 17 per cent
The Marlborough Express
To view the full article, click here.
The post Marlborough Express, 4th Sept 2019. appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The post Featured on TVNZ1 “Country Calendar” appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>To view the “Country Calendar” episode, click here.
The post Featured on TVNZ1 “Country Calendar” appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The post “Wall Of Green” Photographic Exhibition appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The exhibition is taking place from 8th – 30th July 2019 at The Wine Station.
Gold coin donation (all proceeds go to Marlborough Alzheimer’s Society).
The post “Wall Of Green” Photographic Exhibition appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The post TripAdvisor “2019 Certificate of Excellence” appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>Thank you to our loyal supporters and fans for helping us achieve this great milestone!
The post TripAdvisor “2019 Certificate of Excellence” appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The post NZ Prime Minister at The Wine Station appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The post NZ Prime Minister at The Wine Station appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>The post Kevin Judd Photographic Art Exhibition appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>All profits will go to Cancer Society Marlborough.
The post Kevin Judd Photographic Art Exhibition appeared first on The Wine Station, Blenheim - Marlborough's Leading Wine Tasting and Food Experience.
]]>