Fidelio Cafe and Wine Bar — Restaurant in Marlborough

Have to agree with all the reviews here - this is a fantastic place. Unassuming from the outside, but so many surprises on the inside. Once seated and relaxed, the hosting and wine tasting are presented very informally, which we really liked. No rush, with excellent selections and quality.

As others say, amazing wines, from small NZ c.1.5 hectare vineyards to big global ones.

We were there from just after opening time until our train journey down the coast, but in that time learnt a great deal about local wines, NZ wines in general, and comparisons to French, German, US and New World wines. The owner is so knowledgable and can pull out interesting facts, pitched at the right level for the customer. It seems he must have visited many vineyards all over the world!

Wish we could have stayed longer - could easily spend most of the day there or visit again. Instead took away all we could carry. The owner even found bottle #1 of about 4,000 of a lovely bubbly for our anniversary the following week. Akin to champagne, from Esses Essential from Kaikoura. As he pointed out “tiny bubbles”.

If they still do it, the Tuesday Blind Tasting Challenge looks like great fun. ($14 when we were there) or free! If you can guess the particulars of a large glass of mystery wine.

We live on the other side of the world, but hope to visit again one day....

Incredible behavior! On a Sunday morning, while the place was opening and still no set up, I kindly asked the lovely gentleman to charge my phone for FIVE MINUTES while waiting the bus outside his shop, cause the information point was closed and really needed the minimum of battery to be able to catch the bus. I'm a local asking for help, and I'm aware that the Information Centre being closed is irrelevant to his business. The answer was ABSOLUTELY, would you buy a coffee or glass of wine? I agreed this was a reasonable transaction, so I purchased a coffee and charged my phone. Imagine if someone came here and demanded a free phone charging service from a Café & Wine Bar?! The world would be going crazy. I REALLY HOPE IN A BETTER WORLD NOBODY WOULD DO THAT. P.s Tried to buy two coffees in exchange for phone charging and he said that wasn't necessary. Wonderful! Think twice before going anywhere but here. A visit to Fidelio's is...

Fidelio Wine Bar is an absolute must-visit for any wine enthusiast or anyone looking for a relaxed, elegant atmosphere in Blenheim. The moment you step in, you’re greeted with a cozy ambiance and an incredible selection of local wines that highlight the best of Marlborough.

A special shoutout to Sarah, the manager, who went above and beyond to make our visit unforgettable. Her knowledge of the wines was exceptional, and she had the perfect recommendations to suit our tastes. Sarah’s passion and warm hospitality truly elevated our experience.

We loved how the bar combines sophistication with a welcoming vibe—it’s the ideal spot to unwind with a glass (or two!) of something spectacular. If you’re in Blenheim, don’t miss this...