Charley Noble, Apache, and Hillside Kitchen are some of the Wellington eateries that are joining in on Wellington’s largest celebration of New Zealand wine when it hits the Capital next Friday and Saturday at TSB Arena.
Organisers who had to postpone last year’s event to October are thrilled to be running the event so soon after this year’s grape harvest.
“Winemakers are fresh back from picking and they always have great stories to share at this time of year,” commented Event Director Rob Eliott.
Ever wanted to try ‘Cinnamon buns with melted Mount Eliza blue cheese’ and ‘Buttermilk biscuits with paua and fennel gravy’? Well, you’re in luck! Ex hillside chef Max Gordy will also be running his new pop-up concept GRAZE over the two days serving a vegetable-led menu complemented by sustainably sourced seafood.
Comedian Ben Hurly will be “sharing a glass” of Craggy Range Hawkes Bay Syrah with visitors on the Saturday afternoon. Other guests from our TV screens who will grace the main stage include Cohen Holloway (“Hunt for the Wilder People”, “Eagle vs Shark”) and Karen O’Leary (“Wellington Paronormal”).
Winetopia takes place over three sessions starting Friday at 5pm, Saturday at 12pm and again on Saturday at 4.30pm. The event aims to share the breadth, diversity and outstanding quality of New Zealand wine and is now the largest congregation of its type in the country that the public can attend.
“The fun of the event is really in the journey of discovering new and exciting wines from places you may not have expected,” expressed organiser Karl Whyman.
Winetopia Wellington sessions are:
Session 1: Friday 21 May 5pm – 8.30pm
Session 2: Saturday 22 May 12pm – 3.30pm
Session 3: Saturday 22 May 4.30pm – 8pm
