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3 Jan 2000 -
Queenstown Mecca for first Pinot Noir Celebration
Winemakers and wine enthusiasts from throughout New Zealand and overseas will converge on Queenstown in January next year to celebrate the mysteries and pleasures of Pinot Noir and Central Otago's emergence as a leading producer of this grape variety. Mt Difficulty will be there.
The inaugural Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration is a one day event devoted exclusively to tastings, panel discussions and seminars on various aspects of Pinot Noir production and appreciation.
"It's the first event of it's kind in New Zealand and it has been modelled on the hugely successful International Pinot Noir Celebration which is held every year in our sister Pinot Noir region in Oregon in the United States," says Central Otago wine pioneer Alan Brady, one of the organisers.
"There are only a few regions in the world where Pinot Noir grows successfully. Central Otago is one of them and this celebration is a unique opportunity to show consumers how far we've come in a very short time."
Keynote Speaker at the event will be internationally acclaimed wine author, judge and founder of Clodstream Hills winery in Victoria, James Halliday. Other guests will include English master of Wine and Burgnady specialist Anthony Foster; Oregon winemaker Stephen Cary who was one of the founders of the International Pinot Noir Celebration, adn the colourful Jim Clendenen from California, who is widely regarded as a radical amongst his winemaking peers.
Leading Pinot Noir producers from Martinborough, Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury will also show their wines. A maximum of 200 tickets will be sold.
The celebration will begin with breakfast, and meals culminating with a Grand Dinner will be an important feature of the event.
Co-organiser Rudi Bauer, this year voted the New Zealand Winemaker of the Year, emphasises the event is not just another wine festival. "The word 'Celebration' is used advisedly and there will be a big element of education and learning as well. The venue at the Alpine Resort at Arthurs Point will become a village dedicated to Pinot Noir for a day. It will be an occasion of international friendship, wine, food and fun where winemakers and wine lovers can rub shoulders in a non-competitive atmosphere and share their passion for Pinot Noir."
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