Celebrities to be sold off in Wine Challenge

Media release – July 8, 2005

Celebrities to be sold off in Kelland’s Wine Challenge at Goldwater

Famous New Zealand wine celebrities will be auctioned off at Goldwater Estate for the Kelland’s Wine Challenge on Waiheke Island on September 23.

Winemakers and wine celebrities will be put up for auction and the highest bidder will ‘win’ a celebrity to join their team in a blind wine tasting competition.

``We don’t believe this has ever been done before. We hope to raise $25,000 for the local Te Huruhi Primary School’s performing arts stage lighting and sound,’’ spokeswoman Gretchen Goldwater said today.

``The school hall is a community facility so the benefit runs wider than just the school.’’

The wine experts up for auction are Neill Culley (Cable Bay), Mike Hutcheson (advertising specialist), Kim Goldwater (Waiheke pioneer), John Hawkesby (ex-Tv3 and local winemaker), Martin Pickering (Mudbrick), Herb Friedli (Te Whau, Kennedy Point), Keith Stewart (wine writer), Joelle Thomson (wine writer), Ross Spence (Matua), Lauraine Jacobs (food writer).

The charity event will be host by Bob Campbell MW and sponsored by Kellands Real Estate. During the evening, Goldwater will release their new 2005 Rosie Rosé of pinot noir from Marlborough.

``We will also have on show our Houston international wine show commemorative silver Belt Buckle. We won this after our six litre Goldwater New Dog Marlborough sauvignon blanc 2003 sold for a record US$10,000,’’ Ms Goldwater said.

The price paid is the highest for any bottle of New Zealand wine. Goldwater was named the champion sauvignon blanc at the Houston Rodeo International wine competition and auction in Texas.

Goldwater only produced two six litre imperial bottles of 2003 New Dog. The other imperial bottle was bought by leading New Zealand businessman Graeme Hart for just $810 at Goldwater’s annual charity auction on Waiheke Island earlier this year.

Goldwater celebrated its record 20th vintage release in February. Ms Goldwater said they aimed to become a New Zealand household name in wine. They already export to more than 25 countries.

Ends

© Scoop Media