Leading small-production wineries from across the country are gathering up their best bottles, cases and carafes and preparing for the New Zealand Boutique Wine Festival, 10th June 2018, at the Imperial Buildings Fort Lane, Auckland.
Taking charge for the first time this year, new owner and Event Director, Sue Duncan said that this well-loved boutique event is something special and she can’t wait to get tickets on sale to the wine-loving public.
“The Boutique Wine Festival is an absolutely delightful day out,” she said. “All the wines are from small wineries offering very limited vintages, so discovery is the name of the game. You normally won’t find these wines anywhere except for the cellar door (if you’re lucky), and what is even better is that you get to sample them amongst a sparkling crowd of wine-lovers, in a stunning location, with great music to match.”
A highlight of this year’s event will be a Masterclass led by NZBWF’s official ambassador, Yvonne Lorkin.
Lorkin brings huge knowledge about wine, and a reputation for fun and feisty presentations. And she is a prolific columnist also; drinks writer for Dish Magazine and NZ Herald’s Canvas Magazine, wine columnist for ten regional newspapers, Radio NZ wine correspondent, and, for the last seven years’ producer and presenter of the TV show; Thirsty Work and much more. She is also co-founder and Chief Tasting Officer of WineFriend.co.nz.
Lorkin’s Masterclass – ‘Wildcard Reds – local versions of foreign legends’, aims to unpack some of the new, groovy and downright different red varietals being grown here in New Zealand.
“I love the New Zealand Boutique Wine Festival, its intimate setting and the amazing variety of unique, quirky, thought-provoking and downright spectacular wines that it offers,” said Lorkin.
Distinguished Sommelier Curtis Marsh is another special guest appearing at this year’s festival. Marsh has over 35 years experience across hospitality, wine and media industries, working as an Asian correspondent for Thomson Reuters and columnist for the Hong Kong Standard Newspaper and Asia Sentinel. Now based in Wellington, Marsh is the Resident Sommelier and Writer for the Robert Parker Wine Advocate.
With wines from Northland to Central Otago, the New Zealand Boutique Wine Festival 2018 creates an ideal opportunity to see, taste and learn about some of the hidden gems New Zealand keeps bottled up.
Appearing for the first time at NZBWF are Blackridge, TerraVin Mon Cheval Wines, Tantalus Estate, Tironui Estate, Coal Pit Wines, Unison Vineyard, House of Ball, Clos Marguerite, The Bonelines, Cypress Wines, Greystone Wines, Cable Bay, Kina Beach Vineyard, Johner Estate, Maori Point.
They’ll stand tall alongside returning wineries, Mount Michael Wines, Lone Goat Vineyard, Judge Rock, Peacock Sky, Hopes Grove, Maison Noire, Turanga Creek, Postage Stamp Wine, Fancrest Estate, Ascension Wine, Collaboration Wines, Mount Beautiful, Two Rivers, Man O’ War, Snapper Rock, Silver Wing Wines, French Peak Wines, Matawhero Winery, and Bell Bird Spring.
