Winetopia presented by Singapore Airlines, New Zealand’s biggest and most extravagant celebration of wine, has announced its talent line up. Award-winning comedian Ben Hurley and the talented Auckland-based covers band Two Many Chiefs, joined by saxophonists Thabani Gapara and Louisa Williamson, will be entertaining wine lovers across New Zealand.
Ben Hurley will host wine writers, masters of wine and some famous NZ faces, as MC and main stage host. Ben is best known for his TV appearances on THREE’s ‘7 Days’ and ‘The Project’.
The acclaimed group Two Many Chiefs are back by popular demand, bringing their soulful tunes and timeless classics to the Winetopia stages. This year, the group is joined this year by saxophonists Thabani Gapara in Auckland and Christchurch, and Louisa Williamson in Wellington. Two Many Chiefs are renowned for their funky, background jazz and wide range of material covering everything from jazz standards to modern Top 40 hits.
Winetopia hosts a variety of tasting sessions, masterclasses, and sommelier sessions for wine lovers to learn about the wines they are tasting with NZ’s top wine experts. Legendary wine guru Bob Campbell, New Zealand’s best known and most prolific voice in wine, as well as Stephen Wong, Master of Wine, who has amassed a wealth of knowledge throughout his career as a sommelier, will both be speaking at the events and sharing their expertise. Prolific wine writers Joelle Thomson and Angie Atkinson also appear across the event series bringing their own flair and discoveries to share. Chef demonstrations by chefs Tim Read and Des Harris will elevate the culinary experience, serving up delectable food pairings.
Each Winetopia event will feature over 50 leading wineries in each city. Wine lovers can expect a sumptuous experience with the results of the exceptional past two vintages being opened for tasting (approximately 250 wines per event).
The Winetopia events will take place at the following locations:
- Auckland (20-21 May) at Shed 10, Queen’s Wharf
- Wellington (1-2 July) at TSB Arena, 4 Queen’s Wharf, Wellington Central
- Christchurch (26-27 August) at the new Te Pae Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre
To view wineries attending the events and to book your tickets now, visit www.winetopia.co.nz.
A valid My Vaccine Pass is required to attend all Winetopia events. The organisers are confident the events will run on the scheduled dates, but if postponements due to covid are necessary then tickets will be transferred to the new dates or refunds offered.
