2019 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

Food and Wine Victoria, the organisers of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, today announced a renewed naming rights partnership with Bank of Melbourne and continued support from the Victorian Government for the 2019 Festival.

The 2019 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival presented by Bank of Melbourne will take place from 8 to 24 March. The Festival is longer than in recent years to allow for the introduction of a Regional Weekend.

Food and Wine Victoria's incoming CEO, Anthea Loucas Bosha, said: "We are thrilled to have Bank of Melbourne on board as the Festival's presenting partner for the eighth consecutive year and to renew our partnership with the Victorian Government. Their investment in the event helps make the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival a globally recognised celebration of our food and wine industry."

"I've attended the Festival for many years and I am looking forward to my first as CEO. We're pulling together a calendar of events which will underscore why Melbourne and regional Victoria are the standard-bearers for not only excellence but also fun in food and wine in this country."

Bank of Melbourne World's Longest Lunch will open the Festival on Friday 8 March. The Opening Weekend, which includes the Labour Day public holiday, will have a gastronomy focus. The weekend of 15 to 17 March will be dedicated to food and wine experiences in regional Victoria and include Regional World's Longest Lunches. The perennially popular River Graze will take place on the Closing Weekend, from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 March.

Bank of Melbourne Chief Executive, Michelle Winzer, said, "We're delighted to continue our partnership with the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, which is an important celebration of the success of the industry. Together with the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, we're so proud to shine a light on the hundreds of Victorian businesses, makers, producers and growers who bring this festival to life."

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, The Hon John Eren MP, said, "The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is Australia's leading culinary celebration and the Victorian Government is thrilled to partner with the event and the food and wine industry in 2019. The 27th festival will showcase Victoria's best produce to over 250,000 attendees and support a sector that employs 210,000 Victorians and brings over $23 billion to our economy.

"From the renowned food and wine experiences of Victoria's regions to the very best dining in Melbourne, there's something for everyone at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in March 2019," Minister Eren said.

The 2019 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival program will be released later this year.