This year, the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction will mark a historic milestone – $5 million raised for Cranford Hospice since the event first launched in 1991 – making this year’s event one no wine lover can afford to miss. With just $93,179 needed to cross the mark, organisers have planned something special for this year’s attendees.

The auction returns to Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre on Saturday 13th September, and bidders will have more than just the 40 live and 15 silent auction lots to compete for. The bidder or syndicate who wins the lot that takes the total over $5 million will also take home an exceptional collection of large-format bottles donated by five acclaimed Hawke’s Bay winemakers:

• Radburnd Cellars 2019 Merlot Cabernet, 1 magnum

• Vilaura 2021 Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc Méthode Traditionnelle, 1 magnum

• Paritua 2019 Paritua ‘Red’ Cabernet Merlot, 1 magnum

• Helio Wines 2023 Chardonnay, 1 jeroboam

• Tony Bish Wines 2017 ZEN Chardonnay, 1 jeroboam

The jeroboam of Tony Bish 2017 ZEN Chardonnay is a unique offering from the very first vintage of this prestige wine and features hand-painted drawings by local artist Dan Baker, depicting a tui and kowhai flower – the symbol of Hospice New Zealand.

Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction General Manager, Samantha Kershaw, says the team wanted to celebrate the occasion in a way that recognises the generosity of bidders and supporters and the life-changing work of Cranford Hospice. “Cranford Hospice plays such a vital role in our community, and to be approaching such a big milestone is truly special. We’re so grateful to the winemakers who have donated such a beautiful line- up of wines to help celebrate this moment, and we can’t wait to see some competitive bidding for the chance to take it home,” says Kershaw.

Tony Bish, a Trustee of the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction Charitable Trust and participating winemaker since the first year, reflected on the achievement. “The Hawke’s Bay wine industry has been working together with Cranford for more than three decades. To get to a milestone as significant as $5 million is a phenomenal endorsement of a lot of community effort, volunteer time, and the uniting of the wider wine community. It shows that when everyone joins forces, great things can happen.”

The Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction is the largest annual private fundraiser for Cranford Hospice. It takes over 50 wineries and businesses who donate lots, the support of over 20 sponsors, and hundreds of generous wine lovers who attend and bid each year to bring it to life.

“This achievement belongs to everyone who has played a part”, said Kershaw. Since 1991, the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction has:

• Seen over 1,000 lots go under the hammer

• Received over 55,000 bottles of wine donated by Hawke’s Bay winemakers

• Showcased and sold 33 pieces of original artwork from local artists

The event is New Zealand’s oldest wine auction, with every dollar raised donated to Cranford Hospice to support free, compassionate palliative care for patients and their whanau. This year promises to be more than just an auction. It will be a celebration of three decades of generosity, community spirit, and exceptional Hawke’s Bay wine.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased at:
https://hawkesbaywineauction.co.nz/

Live online bidding and absentee bidding will also be available through The Wine Auction Room, with registrations opening 3rd September. For more information visit : https://wineauctionroom.com/