Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction: Pre-tasting event wines delight

MEDIA RELEASE 14 October 2015

Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction

Pre-tasting event wines delight

A strong group of well-heeled wine lovers turned out to the Gatsby Room at the Art Deco Masonic Hotel last night, to pre- sample a stellar line up of 40 mostly unique wine blends that will be up for grabs in a months’ time, at the 24thannual Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction.

Event organiser Annabel Tapleysmith is delighted with the quality of wines in the auction event “it is great to see the wineries have put thought and consideration into their auction lots, with many going back to offering larger barrel quantities, as this ultimately raises the bar and should generate more funds for Cranford Hospice” Ms Tapleysmith said.

James Medina from Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers is thrilled with the profile this event is giving to Hawke’s Bays wine industry “this is our opportunity to showcase the hard work that our winegrowers have put into their grapes and shows that Hawke’s Bay continues to produce high quality wines that are unique and interesting”.

Martin Poppelwells, Portland 2015 painting was also revealed in its entirety and the chat, competition and guess work of the going price, has kicked off with many admiring the colourful meaningful nature of the work. “The large, imposing, colourful “lump” is certainly the elephant in the room when it comes to talking about immanent death and how we as a community attempt to deal with it” Poppelwell says. 12 framed prints will tour key businesses around the region over the next month.

If you are looking for a wine that you can never buy anywhere again then this is the event for you. Te Mata has two specially blended auction lots, one being the Patrons Blend that represents John Bucks status as Cranford Hospice Patron.

Winemaker Kate Radburnd from Pask Winery has put together a unique 56L (quarter barrique) of 2014 Chardonnay. Tony Bish Wines has collaborated with Richard Brimer photographer and sculptor Jeff Thomson to create an art, wine lot. Watch for Chris Scott from Church Roads half barrqiue Winemakers Barrel Selection 2015 Chardonnay, followed up by a Vidal’s quarter barrique of 2013 Legacy Collection Syrah from Gimblett Gravels that Hugh has submitted. Alwyn Corban has put an auction lot in for 24yrs so be on the lookout for his 56 Litre 2014 Syrah lot from Ngatarawa. And if those varieties don’t tickle your palate, then Trinity Hills barrique NV Touriga Port (112 x 500ml bottles) of Port Style Wine might just do the trick. In comes Sacred Hill with a stunning 2014 half barrel of Shotgun Chardonnay from the renowned Riflemans vineyard in Hawkes Bay. Te Mata Estates 56 L Mendoza Chardonnay from their 1892 Havelock Vineyard promises to be an elegant, full flavoured drop. There is a blend, a collection, an essence that will captivate everyone. All the proceeds go to the Cranford Hospice Foundation Trust.

Tickets to the main auction event to be held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House Plaza, on Saturday 14th November have sold out months ago, but absentee bidding is available to all via the website: www.hawkesbaywineauction.co.nz

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