Friday May 20th, 2016

Winetopia Opens Its Cellar Doors Today!

The Greatest Celebration of New Zealand wine opens its doors from 5.00pm this afternoon at Auckland’s Shed 10 (FRIDAY SESSION IS NOW SOLD OUT). WINETOPIA presented bySingapore Airlines is the most comprehensive and entertaining public wine tasting event with all major regions fully represented and stunning varietals exclusively showcased.

Created by Lemongrass Productions, the company that produces the hugely popular events Auckland Restaurant Month, Street Eats and Taste of Auckland, WINETOPIA presented by Singapore Airlines offers a unique tasting format with visitors literally tasting their way around the award winning wine regions of the country all in one afternoon or evening.

“New Zealand’s wine scene is internationally renowned and celebrated,” says Claire Baudinet, Marketing Manager for Lemongrass Productions. “We are absolutely thrilled to be in the position to be able to bring some of our biggest rock-star winemakers together just after harvest to share in some of their most delicious blends that the public has experienced,” she said.

Visitors have the option to purchase full bottles or cases to take away and cellar to enjoy during the winter months.

To aide visitors in their wine discovery, WINETOPIA presented by Singapore Airlines is hosting Masterclasses by internationally acclaimed wine critics, including New Zealand’s ownBob Campbell (MW) and top Australian sommelier Nick Stock. Tantalising topics include Bob Campbell’s ‘Pinot Showdown: a Battle of the Regions’ or Nick Stock’s Friday session‘Jumping the Shark: In search of Zealand’s Great Whites.’

Nick will also be holding a very special tasting matching sumptuous Vietnamese food with top New Zealand wines. Taking place each session (on a first in, first served basis), this exclusive tasting includes delicious Vietnamese fare prepared by District 5 and Café Viet.

Not only is it an opportunity to indulge in the flavour and mystique of Vietnam, one of Singapore Airlines' favourite destinations, but one lucky WINETOPIA visitor will win two return Economy Class tickets to Vietnam!

There are Sommelier-led tasting classes, presented by local talents Martina Lutz (Wine Chambers), Nicola Richards (Monsoon Poon Restaurant), Meg Abbott-Walker (MASU),Amanda Richards (Bracu/Allechante) and Ganesh Raj (The Tasting Shed).

And perhaps the most fun and interesting ways to learn about wine will be to attend one of the ‘Share a Glass’ sessions, where comedian Brendan Lovegrove and Singapore Airlines traveller Colin Mathura-Jeffree will chat with some great Kiwi celebs (over a glass of award winning wine of course) about their journeys with wine and personal anecdotes. The entertaining line-up includes musician P Digsss from Shapeshifter, media personalityRussell Brown, media bunker controller Verity Johnson, Melodie Robinson, Sky Sport presenter, Chris Upton, owner of O’Connell Street Bistro and Mr Entertainment himselfShane Cortese.

Hopetoun Brown, best known as the horn section of local funk juggernaut Supergroove, will provide the ultimate groove session to accompany a your journey throughout WINETOPIA presented by Singapore Airlines, closing each session with a bang – don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes and swing to Tim's big soulful voice coupled with the deep tones of Nick's bass clarinet.

“With almost 700 wineries spread throughout the country, WINETOPIA presented by Singapore Airlines is your best place to discover excellent new wines and delicious foods this weekend,” says Baudinet.

“It is the perfect opportunity to really ‘try before you buy’ the best wines from the countries best winemakers in a fabulous festive vibe – we’ll see you there!”

WINETOPIA presented by Singapore Airlines full list of wineries includes:

Alana Estate, Alpha Domus, Ascension, Astrolabe, Bald Hills, Clark Estate, Clearview, Craggy Range, Crown Range Cellar, Elephant Hill, Framingham, Giesen, Goldie Wines, Greywacke, Hawkesbridge, Heron's Flight, Joiy, Lawsons Dry Hills, Left Field, Man O' War, Matua, Millton, Mount Michael, Mount Riley, Mt Rosa, Nautilus, Ngatarawa, O:Tu, Peacock Sky, Poderi Crisci, Squealing Pig, Summerhouse, Te Kairanga, Torless Wines, Trinity Hill, Villa Maria, Whitehaven and Wild On Waiheke.

For all details on schedules, features and Masterclasses, see: www.winetopia.nz

WINETOPIA is proud to have the support of MINDFOOD Magazine purveyors of intelligent, inspirational ideas and information.

winetopia.nz #winetopiaNZ

WINETOPIA Key Information:

Dates:
Friday 20 May: 5.00PM – 8.30PM (FRIDAY SESSION IS NOW SOLD OUT)

Saturday 21 May: 12.00PM - 3.30PM

Saturday 21 May: 4.30PM – 8.00PM

Venue: Shed 10, Queens Wharf, 89 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010

Key Metrics: 3,500 visitors over two days. Wineries from throughout New Zealand.

Ticketing Information: www.iticket.co.nz/events/2016/may/winetopia

General Admission Tickets are now $30 and include entry to one session, 5 wine tasting tokens (each token is a 30ml pour), wine glass, free talks (some including free tastings and food pairings – first in first served) & entertainment including Hopetoun Brown playing a live set at the finale of each session.

*Premium MiNDFOOD Tickets are $65 and include a fabulous Goody Bag totalling over $150, containing: Entry to one session, 5 tasting tokens (each token is a 30ml pour) plus free talks and entertainment, Premium Wine Glass, an Ernest Rapeneau Champagne premium tasting on arrival as served in Singapore Airlines' Premium Economy Class (60ml tasting), MiNDFOOD Magazine, MiNDFOOD Décor Magazine and MiNDFOOD gifts to the value of $100.

Everyone who buys a premium ticket will be entered into the draw to win flights to Vietnam thanks to Singapore Airlines – enter at the event for more chances to win!

ENDS

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