Media release – Dec 6, 2005

Some of New Zealand’s greatest performers at 2006 Waiheke wine Festival

Waiheke Island Wine Festival will be one of the hottest tickets on the summer event calendar with Dave Dobbyn, Don McGlashan - The Muttonbird from Dominion Road - and the effervescent Beat Girls performing.

The annual festival has attracted unprecedented support from Waiheke Island winegrowers with a record 20 vineyards taking part on February 11.

Festival organiser Rose France said the festival among the vines had huge attraction with elegant vintages, delicious gourmet food and superb music to lull the senses.

``We've got a tremendous line-up, with

six hours of live music. Each band will play for two hours,’’ she said today.

``This is Dobbyn's first festival performance on Waiheke and we are thrilled to have such an icon of New Zealand music at the event”.

McGlashan has played once before, and was enormously popular, and The Beat
Girls are a well known and entertaining cover band who attract a large following. Musicians will perform on big covered stage.

France added that the continued support of the festival’s foundation sponsors Hesketh Henry Lawyers, Newstalk ZB and Fullers has contributed to the success of the event and ensured high profile entertainers can perform at the festival.

All the island's wine producing vineyards will be represented.

Recognised as the best boutique wine festival of its kind in New Zealand, the annual event gives wine lovers the opportunity to sample the island’s vinous charms for themselves and celebrate the launch of the new vintage.

Festival goers can experience the increasing variety of Waiheke Island wines as well as the vertical depth of some of the more established vineyards.

To complement the wine and music Susan Fleischl and The Great Catering Company, will be providing the festival menu

The Great Catering Company is winner of the Hospitality Industry Outstanding Caterer of the Year Lewisham Award in 2003 and 2005.

France said the award was an outstanding achievement because they were nominated by your peers.

``Look out for Fleischl's famous whitebait fritters and crayfish on the menu,’’ she said.

ENDS

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