Fritter Festival attracts five new wineries

Media Release

3 February 2014

Fritter Festival attracts five new wineries

Five new vineyards will be added to the line up of vineyards taking part in Whangarei’s Fritter Festival on 29 March at Toll Stadium.

“We really value the people who gave us a shot when we started up the Fritter Festival last year and it’s great to see them coming back again. It’s also fantastic to see new people are really excited about this event and keen to come on board too,” said Venues & Events Marketing & Events Manager Rachel O’Gorman.

Wineries returning to this year’s Whangarei Fritter Festival are Karikari Estate, Longview Estate, Marsden Estate and Sailfish Cove.

The newcomers welcomed this year are Cottle Hill Winery, Ake Ake Vineyard, Okahu Estate, Pukeko Vineyard and Fat Pig Vineyard.

Bringing the experience of three generations of Winemaking to the Fritter Festival, Richard Vuletich of Whangarei’s Longview Estate, really enjoyed the first Fritter Festival.

"With the help of Absolute Caterers 'Fritter Fest 2013' was a fantastic event for us, to showcase our portfolio of wine along with local culinary expertise and great kiwiana music.

“Longview Estate Wines was established by the Vuletich family in 1969. They pioneered wine growing in Whangarei and Longview is Northland's oldest established vineyard. The company is well known within the region for producing hand crafted quality wines, grown and bottled at Longview Estate, to suit the palates of an ever changing wine consumer.

Whangarei’s connection to the sea and international yachting will appeal to the founders of festival newcomer, Cottle Hill Winery. The Sailboat logo for the winery is a tribute to the sailing adventure the owners Mike and Barbara Webb had getting to New Zealand in their own 35 foot sailing yacht 21 years ago.

“Their mission is ‘for visitors to have a fun, interesting and unique winery experience,’ and their motto is, ‘Wine is for everyday and every one. Enjoy life. Enjoy wine,’ those sentiments are perfect for our festival,” said Mrs O’Gorman.

Another vineyard that is both local and connected to the sea is Whangarei Winery, Sailfish. This local, award winning winery makes all its wine from grapes grown at Tutukaka, and with a wide variety of reds and whites there will be something to suit every fritter.

Whangarei Fritter Festival on Saturday 29 March 11am-7pm at Toll Stadium with musical performances by Kora, Ladi6, dDub, Kurfew and Juice on the Loose.

Tickets from Eventfinda.co.nz and Forum North Box Office. Adult early bird available now for just $32.

“We encourage people to drink responsibly. Taxi signage will be posted throughout the venue and we have also organised special event buses from the coastal areas dropping you off at the venue by11am and taking you home after the festival,” said Mrs O’Gorman.

There will be three bus routes– Waipu to Toll Stadium, Matapouri to Toll Stadium and Whangarei Heads to Toll Stadium. Bus tickets can be purchased from Eventfinda.co.nz where you buy your festival tickets.

ENDS

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