New Food And Wine Showcase For Hawke’s Bay

Media Release
Date 2nd May
New Food And Wine Showcase For Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay is set to stake its claim as a premium food and wine destination with its brand new event “FAWC”.

FAWC-the Food and Wine Classic is a collection of unique food and wine experiences that can only be had in Hawke’s Bay. FAWC will commence with the summer series over two weekends in November 2012 (2-4th and 9th-11th) and the winter series planned for June 2013.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism is leading the establishment of FAWC alongside Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers, Food Hawke’s Bay and the many Hawke’s Bay businesses involved in food and wine. Hawke’s Bay Tourism will oversee the marketing of FAWC.

Annie Dundas, General Manager Hawke’s Bay Tourism says ‘Hawke’s Bay produces some of New Zealand’s finest wines and premium produce and we need to shout about that. The recent success of the Masterchef episodes in Hawke’s Bay have reinforced we are the leading food and wine region in New Zealand. FAWC gives us an opportunity to further cement that position and increase visitor nights in the shoulder seasons’

Dundas says ‘FAWC is a celebration of all the wonderful food and wine and related activities in Hawke’s Bay so we want the programme to reflect that. We have some of the most spectacular settings in which to host a series of food and wine events that allow us to give a truly unique experience whilst showcasing the entire region’

Francis De Jager from Black Barn Vineyards said ‘Hawke’s Bay needs a premium event like FAWC and we are really excited to be involved and look forward to putting events into the programme that help us profile Black Barn wines and venues’

Brent Pilcher from Church Road Winery Cellar Door said ‘We’re pleased to be showcasing award-winning Church Road wines which will be matched with locally sourced seasonal produce at FAWC 2012. This is an exciting event to celebrate the best of Hawke’s Bay.”

The Regional Events Strategy was launched in March and the key outcomes of that strategy included the delivery of a food and wine event and the need to address the saturation of events during the peak times of January and February.

‘We already have a full calendar of events over the summer months and we need to even out the flow to attract visitors all year round’ said Dundas.

FAWC will be launched to the Wellington market at The Food Show held at the Westpac Stadium 11-13th May 2012 and again to the Auckland market in August.

Anyone wanting more information on how to be involved should contact Hawke’s Bay Tourism.

About Hawke’s Bay Tourism: Hawke’s Bay Tourism is the Regional Tourism Organisation. Our mission is to ensure Hawke’s Bay becomes significantly more attractive to New Zealand and international visitors as a place to visit, do business and to live.

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