About

The Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, is a regional wine competition run by Wine Marlborough Ltd.

The aim of the show is to:

  • Champion Marlborough wine excellence and wine provenance

  • Promote sub regionality and diversity of wines grown in New Zealand’s largest wine region

  • Promote and foster wine show judging talent within the region

The Marlborough Wine Show was created and built by Belinda Jackson and Margaret Cresswell in 2011. Wine Marlborough, the regional winegrower representative body, purchased the show after 2017 with the aim of continuing its legacy.

2025 Key Dates

Entries Open - 19 August
Entries Close - 10 September
Samples Due - 3 October
Judging - 15-17 October
Marlborough Wine Grand Tasting - 18 October
Results Notified - 23 October
Celebration & Trophy Presentation - 14 November 2025

Awards

Wine Marlborough believes the show plays an important role in developing the reputation of Marlborough wine, as well as being a key event to celebrate the brilliant winemaking and viticultural talent in the region.

The competition rewards top-performing wines with trophies, gold, silver, and bronze medals scored using the 100-point system. All wines are tasted blind under strict wine show protocols.

Please visit the Awards page to learn more about these trophies and view previous results. We would like to thank our partners for their support of these special awards.

Judging Team

Featured
Stu Marfell
Stu Marfell

Stu was born and raised in the Awatere Valley, not far from the Vavasour Vineyard. A graduate of Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, Stu joined Vavasour Wines in February 2003 as an assistant winemaker. Stu became chief winemaker in 2007. He has judged at many shows including Air NZ wine awards, Marlborough wine show and New world wine awards.

Guest Judges

Featured
Toni Paterson MW
Toni Paterson MW

Toni Paterson MW is a leading Australian wine critic, commentator and judge.  Her obsession with wine spans three decades, with her knowledge and passion underpinned by training in science and oenology.  During her extensive writing career, she has reviewed thousands of wines and has written in detail about key winemakers and vineyards around the world.

Paterson is a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine, having passed the rigorous examination on her first attempt, and was awarded the prestigious Madame Lily Bollinger Medal for tasting excellence.

Paterson has a broad understanding of the global wine industry, having worked locally as a winemaker, and internationally in public relations and marketing. Her involvement as Deputy Chair of the Wine List of the Year Awards in Australia and China provides her with deep insights into the importance of wine in restaurants.

Paterson's three-decade-long wine judging career, both within Australia and abroad, gives her a unique perspective on style, trends, and vintage character. In addition to international judging stints, she serves as the Chair of Judges at a host of Australian wine shows and is a member of The Halliday Wine Companion tasting panel.

Sam Kim
Sam Kim

Sam has been involved for the past 36 years in New Zealand hospitality, wine retail, importing and distribution, as well as running wine courses and master classes.

Sam holds a Certificate in Winemaking from EIT (Hawke’s Bay), and has been judging wine for the last 27 years at various wine competitions and magazines, including the New Zealand International Wine Show, The Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, the Spiegelau International Wine Competition, The Air New Zealand Wine Awards, The New World Wine Awards, New Zealand Aromatic Wine Competition, Marlborough Wine Show, Decanter Asia Wine Awards, Cowra Wine Show and Cuisine Magazine.

He is the writer and publisher of wine review website, Wine Orbit (www.wineorbit.co.nz).

Sponsors

We are very appreciative of the support of our sponsors. These companies are as passionate as we are about the Marlborough wine industry and we are grateful to have them on board.