On the 10th June 2018, a selection of small production wineries from across the country will be gathered in Auckland for the New Zealand Boutique Wine Festival. Suitable for beginners to buffs, this unique experience held at the Imperial Buildings in Fort Lane aims to showcase some of the country’s finest boutique wines.
As well as engaging with the 33 exhibiting wineries in an intimate setting, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in vertical tastings, attend seminars on food and wine pairing, and experience a VIP lunch and dinner.
A highlight of this year’s event will be the Masterclass led by NZBWF’s official ambassador, Yvonne Lorkin.
Lorkin currently works as the drinks writer for Dish Magazine and NZ Herald’s Canvas Magazine, as well as the wine columnist for ten NZME regional newspapers. She’s been a wine correspondent on Radio NZ National since 2010 and–for the last seven years–has been producing and presenting the TV show; Thirsty Work. Lorkin often appears as senior wine judge, features regularly on morning television, and has a weekly Saturday wine segment on RadioLIVE. Lorkin is also co-founder and Chief Tasting Officer of WineFriend.co.nz.
It is Lorkin’s eclectic experience across the New Zealand wine industry that makes her the perfect representative to help host the New Zealand Boutique Wine Festival 2018.
A highlight of this year’s event will be the Masterclass led by NZBWF’s official ambassador, Yvonne Lorkin.
“I love the New Zealand Boutique Wine Festival, its intimate setting and the amazing variety of unique, quirky and downright spectacular, thought-provoking wines that it offers,” says Lorkin.
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.
Distinguished Sommelier Curtis Marsh will be 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.
Distinguished Sommelier Curtis Marsh will be another special guest appearing at this year’s festival.
At this year’s festival, Marsh aka The Wandering Palate (www.thewanderingpalate.com) will be ‘wandering’ around motivating the thirst and hunger of attendees.
Vineyards appearing at NZBWF for the first time include 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.
Wineries returning to this year’s lineup include 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.
Event director, Sue Duncan, is excited to have been handed the bottle baton from NZBWF’s previous owners, Jacqueline Taylor and Ash Lomberg. While 2018 marks the beginning of Duncan’s journey with the festival, attendees can still expect award winning talent and taste.
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.
Early-bird tickets for this year’s Boutique Wine Festival go on sale April 14th and can be purchased through the NZBWF website (boutiquewine.co.nz). For updates and sneak previews leading up to the event, see the NZBWF Facebook page and Instagram.
Earlybird tickets start from $29.00 and include one Luigi Bormioli Italian festival glass, an event programme, and two tasting tokens on entry.
The first 30 people to purchase tickets will receive two complimentary tickets to the festival’s luxury pre-event held at The Wine Cave. The pre-event is an exclusive, invite only event for Sommeliers, VIP guests and the first 30 purchasing tickets online.