For immediate release

Marlborough, August 17, 2007

Martin Bosley – Guest Chef At Marlborough Wine Weekend

• Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Supreme winner will be guest chef at the inaugural Marlborough Wine Weekend on October 26 – 28.
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Martin Bosley’s Yacht Club restaurant in Wellington has been a finalist in the top restaurant awards for the past few years, this year taking out the grand title.

Described by judges as being a “rare restaurateur who takes passion for his profession to the highest level,” Martin Bosley is renowned for delivering an innovative menu that matches exquisitely with wine.

“The synergy of having the country’s top chef create a menu to accompany the country’s top wines, will be a highlight of the Marlborough Wine Weekend”, says Wine Marlborough’s Marketing Manager Tom Trolove.

The Gourmet dinner will be held at the historic St Mary’s Old Convent just out of Blenheim, on Saturday October 27. Martin will create a five course menu, to compliment five of Marlborough’s major wine varieties, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Late Harvest.

The Gourmet Dinner is part of a three day event, which is expected to attract up to 300 visitors from around the world. Guests will be taken on a journey to Marlborough’s sub regions, meet Marlborough’s winemakers at a private Supper club, take part in international Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir tastings, enjoy a mystery winery lunch accompanied by Marlborough Rieslings, and have the option of going on a Sounds Sparkling Cruise.

The Marlborough Wine Weekend will coincide with the release of the majority of the 2007 Sauvignon Blancs, which have already got winemakers excited.

“A celebration of New Zealand’s flagship variety is long overdue and this weekend will help to showcase not only Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but also some of the other outstanding varieties this region is producing,” Tom says.

Another feature of the weekend is the announcement of the first ever Empson & Herd Lifetime Achievement award, which will be announced at the Gourmet Dinner. The award which is named after the first two men to plant grapes in Marlborough in 1873, will be presented to a person who has contributed to the success of Marlborough’s wine industry during the last 34 years.

“The weekend is about celebrating Marlborough as a quality wine producer of world renown, while also looking at how we have achieved that, through the terroir of the region and the passion of the people involved.”

Tickets for The Marlborough Wine Weekend, October 26 – 28 are just $635 for Friday and Saturday and $75 for the Sounds Sparkling Cruise and includes all the weekend’s tastings, tantalising dining experiences, entertainment and bus transport between events. Please contact TicketDirect by phone 0800 224 224 or internet www.ticketdirect.co.nz and further information regarding the weekend can be found at www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

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