Big Uptake for Wine NZ despite Smaller Vintage

Big Uptake for Wine New Zealand despite Smaller Vintage Prediction

Predictions of 45% less wine this vintage have not dampened sales uptake by wineries for this year’s Wine New Zealand. Stands have been selling fast, with over 100 wineries from every wine region in New Zealand eager to showcase their wines, leaving only a handful of stands left. Taking place from 24th – 26th August at the Auckland Showgrounds in Greenlane, Auckland, ‘New Zealand’s Greatest Wine Experience’ offers trade and consumers the chance to savour the world’s largest offering of New Zealand wine under one roof.

Primarily Trade Focus The positive uptake on stands can be attributed to the profile now established for the event, plus the new initiatives taking place at Wine New Zealand 2003. The primarily trade-focused event is now in its sixth year, and is recognised within the industry as powerful forum for targeting trade, with almost 2000 wine retailers, distributors, restaurateurs and sommeliers attending last year. This year marketing efforts for targeting trade will be further enhanced through the skills of wine marketer Kathie Bartley, an important part of her brief is to help deliver even greater numbers of quality trade.

Consumer Component A greater focus will also be placed this year on attracting wine loving consumers. New Zealand’s leading food, wine and good living publication, Cuisine, is the main sponsor for the consumer component of the event and will be preparing a special editorial feature on Wine New Zealand as part of their 100th issue. This year the doors will be open to consumers from 11am – 7pm on Sunday 24th August, with $25 ticket price at door ($20 in advance), giving consumers access to sample over 1000 wines, while also meeting their makers.

Educational Element Other initiatives taking place at Wine New Zealand 2003 include a larger educational element for both trade and consumers. Trade seminars will explore New Zealand’s increasing profile with red wine varieties in “The Rise of Reds” and what’s hot on US wine more lists in the seminar, “Wine Trends within US Restaurants”. While for wine loving consumers, two seminars by New Zealand's leading wine commentator, Bob Campbell MW will be presented. The first, “Campbell on Chardonnay, Cabernet and Cheese", will explore the strong, age-old affiliation with wine and cheese, while the second one, "What's New on the Wine Scene" will examine the emerging new varieties that New Zealand is now producing. Some of New Zealand’s top winemakers will join Bob to lead the audience through a line up of these exciting new varieties.

“The strong stand sales at Wine New Zealand, despite the small vintage predictions underlines the commitment by wineries to keep a profile with the important audience attracted to the event. Wine New Zealand is recognised by exhibitors and visitors alike as the premier wine exhibition in New Zealand, underlining its position as New Zealand’s Greatest Wine Experience. “ Commented Anne-Marie McKenzie, Marketing Manager at New Zealand Winegrowers.

Part of National Hospitality, Wine New Zealand is located in Hall 4 at Auckland Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland. The fair is organised by exhibition company, dmg world media, in conjunction with wine industry body New Zealand Winegrowers.

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