Wine news

GET SET FOR AUCKLAND WINE WEEK

Winemakers from Waiheke Island, West Auckland and Matakana are pulling out all the stops to showcase the region’s winemaking scene at the first-ever Auckland Wine Week, being held on June 13-23

If you're anywhere near Auckland, and fancy yourself as a bit of a wine adventurer, June is the month for you! Auckland's first Wine Week is about to kick off and some of the region's top wineries are getting involved, offering up some unique tours.

Wine lovers can escape to Waiheke Island for an all-inclusive wine tour on June 16, head north for an afternoon of rare and hard-to-find gems in Matakana on June 22, or journey west to Auckland’s oldest wine region for a day of premium and reserve tastings on June 23.

Make the most of Auckland-centric tipples with dinners and tastings at restaurants and bars including Gusto, Augustus Bistro and Britomart’s Seafarers Club. The country’s biggest wine-tasting event Winetopia, presented by Singapore Airlines, is also taking place on the city’s waterfront on June 14 and 15.

There’s a whole world of wine to be discovered on Auckland’s doorstep, says organiser Rob Eliott.

“It’s an incredible thing to live in a city with great wineries on our doorstep and that deserves to be celebrated.

“From Waiheke Island, with its stunning syrah, world-class chardonnay, intense cabernet blends and fine aromatics, to internationally-recognised elegant chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon in the West, and excellent pinot gris, syrah, cabernet blends and emerging red varieties in the North.

“All within easy reach of the central city, Auckland Wine Week is an opportunity to explore and share in these wonderful local wineries.”

June is the perfect time to start thinking and drinking more Auckland, says Eliott.

“Names like Babich, Brick Bay and Villa Maria have been making outstanding wine for decades, making great use of Auckland’s volcanic soils and warm climate, but this is first time wineries across Auckland will come together to showcase the best of the region.

“With a full line-up of vinous adventures taking place around the region from vineyards to some of the city’s best restaurants, Auckland Wine Week is a chance to connect with the city in a different way, celebrating the people and places that make these incredible wines.”