Tickets are now on sale for Gisborne’s major Labour Weekend event – the First Light Wine & Food festival. The second annual event is part of Gisborne’s Wine & Food Weekend, a key weekend on the Gisborne calendar for attracting tourists and a popular weekend for locals celebrating the start of the summer season.
The First Light event carries on last year’s successful format of traveling around the vineyard sites on complimentary buses to enjoy great wine and stunning vistas at Matawhero and TW Wines. “This year we are excited to announce a third venue for the event, the newly re-opened Bridge Estate which was purchased by the Fergus Family” says Georgina Kemp, event coordinator.
“We are thrilled to have Bridge Estate open for wine tasting, food and functions and look forward to being part of this wonderful day” says Tracy Fergus. Guests from around New Zealand are expected to make up a great proportion of the 2000 tickets available, based on last year’s sales.
“The quality of the food and wine available here is a credit to the region and a major factor in the festival’s popularity” says Kirsten Searle, General Manager of Matawhero Wines. “Gisborne is renowned for its fresh produce and beautiful wines, and this event showcases some great examples of that to the ticket holders. We also have great traditions of lovely warm Spring weather in October, so visitors are likely in for a treat over Labour Weekend” she said.
“People are really excited for the event” says event co-founder Paul Tietjen from TW Wine. “The Gisborne Wine & Food Festival has always been known for a great day out and a wonderful opportunity to experience a taste of Gisborne, and we plan to continue that tradition at the First Light Wine & Food. The bus tour around the wineries and the gorgeous venues on offer make for a fun afternoon for friends – and we even have a cheese and chocolate tent this year”.
The event organisers have also chosen to offer a sober driver ticket this year, for those people who choose to drive rather than take the bus service included in the general admission ticket. The venues want to ensure the safety of the guests and host responsibility is paramount at the event and offering a sober drive admission ticket supports these objectives. The event includes entry to the three venues Matawhero, TW Wines and Bridge Estate, all who have lovely vineyard surroundings to enjoy the afternoon.
A ticket ($45 general admission, $30 sober driver) gets the attendee access to the event from 12pm through to 7.30pm and a commemorative wine glass to be used to sample the many varietals and award-winning wines on offer, plus guests can take the glass home with them.
“Gisborne is the perfect location for a great wine and food weekend away. It’s got ample green space, great beaches and surf, reliable warm weather, and walking access to many hotels, restaurants, attractions and shops for our attendees to enjoy before and after the festival,” says Matawhero general manager Kirsten Searle.
“We have 2000 tickets available this year,” says Georgina Kemp, event coordinator. “We expect these to move quickly based on the great value offered to people for the ticket price – three venues, transportation around all the venues, live entertainment all afternoon and gorgeous settings to relax in – all for only $45.” “This event celebrates some of the award-winning wines and locally made foods that Gisborne has to offer, all in beautiful rustic vineyard settings – a real draw-card for people wanting to enjoy a taste of Gisborne. It’s about time they got to this part of New Zealand! TW Wines owner Geordie Witters laughs. The First Light Wine and Food website and ticket sales are live from today.
Visit the Website www.firstlightwineandfood.co.nz for more information.
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