Festival News
Harvest 2012
BLOG FROM RAYMOND CHAN
This is the sixth year for the Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival and it's proving to be one of the most popular among wine lovers due to its ‘grass roots' philosophy. It's really a family day out in the country with a focus on trying some new wines, eating some delicious food and being entertained, all in a relaxed and natural setting; and the whole experience not too hard on the pocket.
The venue is ‘The Cliffs Riverside Reserve' on the banks of the Ruamahanga River, near the end of Dakins Road, just 10 minutes drive from Caterton and Masterton. It's extremely accessible by car, but if you don't want to drive, there are train and shuttle service options.
The festival features the wines of the wider Wairarapa region, which are growing in stature. Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blancs from the district foot it with those of Martinborough, and quality wines can be had with Riesling, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Syrah, and there are excellent sparkling and dessert wines that need to be discovered. The food is also Wairarapa based with producers, cafés and restaurants making their wares available. To encourage the combination of wine with food, there will be a Wine and Food Match Competition to be judged by two celebrities. Art exhibitions and displays add interest. This year, the live music features The Shenanigans, California Dreamers and Kevin Clark who will provide great entertainment, and add to the general appeal.
The participating wineries (at time of writing, late January) are Blairpatrick, Borthwick, Cottier, Fairmont, Gladstone Vineyard, Hudson, Johner, Julicher, Loopline, Lynfer, Matahiwi, Mebus, Paulonia, Schubert, Urlar and Wycroft. The food exhibitors (to date) are Bar Saluté, Café Mirabelle, Cornucopia Bistro, Entice Gourmet, The Gladstone Inn, Gladstone Vineyard Café, Wakelin House, Sushi Planet, Wazoo Pizza.
Tickets are limited to 2000 issued and there will be no gate sales. Don't miss out!
Harvest 2011
HARVESTING THE BEST OF THE WAIRARAPA!
Tickets for the 2011 Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival, to be held on Saturday 19 March, are now on sale and indications are that they are already on track to sell out the 2000 ticket capacity well in advance of the event. Now in its fifth year the Harvest Festival is fast becoming recognized as one of Wairarapa's iconic events with wild foods, boutique wines and a unique riverside setting all hallmarks of the event.
“I think the Harvest Festival offers a relaxed alternative to other events and captures that very unpretentious, community feel of rural events we grew up with,” says event manager Liz Pollock. “This is an opportunity for town and country to come together. For the increasing number of visitors from outside the region, including a growing international audience, and the local followers, Harvest provides a unique opportunity to have a great day out in a spectacular country setting sampling some of the best wines and local produce.”
Exhibitors will operate from marquees set amongst the dozens of impressive 1000 year old native trees which are a feature of the festival site, with a total of 27 exhibitors, representing Wairarapa's finest wineries and high profile restaurants and food producers, showcasing their wares.
Visitors to the Festival will have the opportunity to sample wines from not only the larger, better known wineries but also from some of the smaller boutique wineries in the region. In keeping with the informality of the event visitors will also have the opportunity to meet the wine makers from the vineyards involved giving them an insight into the wide variety and styles of wine available in the region.
The best of the Wairarapa is expected on the plate as well as in the glass with award winning chefs from high profile restaurants throughout the region preparing local specialities. Whitebait fritters, rabbit pie, pork fennel & savvy sausages, Ngawi cod & crayfish cakes, paua fritters and poached strawberries are just some of the delicacies that have featured on previous menus.
Once again there will be an emphasis on entertainment throughout the day featuring a variety of live music, art and craft sites and static displays ensuring that all tastes are catered for.
The Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival is an occasion which not only celebrates the finest local wine and food but also the beautiful and diverse Wairarapa region.
Tickets to the 2011 Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival are available through all Ticketek outlets, by phoning 0800 TICKETEK, online through www.ticketek.co.nz and locally at the newly opened Wairarapa Wine Cellar in Greytown.
For further information please contact
Liz Pollock
Event Manager
Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival
Phone 027 4774717
Email festival@wairarapawines.co.nz