Kumeu Wine Festival 15th to 30th September 2007

Kumeu Wine Country: Heritage Wine Festival 15th to 30th September 2007

How good is your knowledge of Kumeu and wine? Feel like putting it to the test?

What is the English translation of the Maori place name Kumeu [see end for the answer] (a) Kumara pit location (b) Pull at the breast (c) Small bird

Kumeu Wine Country is pleased to announce the inaugural Heritage Wine Festival. During the two weeks of the festival, events have been designed by the wineries to entice you to sample the latest releases, celebrate the history of the region and provide you with the opportunity to see just how easy it is to enjoy a great wine in a great region - just 20 minutes from Auckland.

Come along and test your knowledge at the opening event at Soljans Estate - The Wine Options Evening. There will be six local wines and one mystery wine for you to blind taste and then as a team answer questions pertaining to age, variety and much more. Brush up on the history of Kumeu too as trivia questions will be included.

Between this event and the closing one at Coopers Creek on the 30th September- The Antiques Wine Road Show (just like the TV show - dust off your old bottles and memorabilia and bring them along for an assessment) there are many great events. For those of you who would like to stay in Kumeu for one of the festival weekends check out the website www.kumeuwinecountry.co.nz for accommodation specials.

The calendar of events;

Wine Options Evening at Soljans Estate Saturday 15th September, 6.45pm - 10pm $35 per person, includes a glass of wine on arrival and supper How good is your knowledge of Kumeu and wine? Feel like putting it to the test? Come along with a group of friends (teams of four) to this fun event. Soljans Estate Winery, 366 State Highway 16, Kumeu For booking phone (09) 412 2824 or email: kylie@soljans.co.nz

Tutored new release tastings at Kumeu River Winery Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th September, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm We will conduct tutored tastings of our 5 new release wines at the above times. If you are unable to make a tutored tasting time you are welcome to taste the wines in the cellar door shop. Kumeu River Winery, 550 State Highway 16, Kumeu, Ph 09 412 8415

Whites n Bites with Lincoln Wines Sunday 16th September, 1pm - 4pm $25 per person, tickets are available from the cellar door Solve your mid-winter blues with an indulgent Sunday afternoon. Enjoy five pairings of our new releases for 2007 with tasty morsels from our chef's at Langtons. Langtons on Lincoln, 130 Lincoln Road, Henderson, Ph 09 838 6944

A Taste of Burgundy with Luncheon in the Barrel Hall Sunday 23rd September commencing at 11am $150 per person numbers limited to 60 A total of twelve wines from Burgundy and New Zealand. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and a 3 course French themed luncheon by The Falls Restaurant in Henderson. West Brook Winery, 215 Ararimu Valley Road, Waimauku For reservations please phone (09) 411 9924 or email info@westbrook.co.nz

Garden Party at Matua Valley Wines Sunday 23rd September, 1pm - 4pm $25 per person Matua Valley Wines celebrates the release of the Paretai Sauvignon Blanc 2007 at a Garden Party in the grounds of The Hunting Lodge Matua Valley Wines , Waikoukou Valley Road, Waimauku Ph 09 411 8301

Pinotage Pizza Picnic at Kerr Farm Vineyard Sunday, 23rd September 2007, 1pm - 5pm Join Kerr Farm Vineyard for a Pinotage Pizza Picnic afternoon. Sit in the gardens and listen to some jazz with a glass of wine and a slice of wood fired oven pizza. Kerr Farm Vineyard, 48 Dysart Lane, Kumeu Ph 09 412 7575 or 021 778 702

Waimarie wines at Arcadia Design Store Tuesday 25th September & Wednesday 26th September, 7pm - 9pm No charge but bookings are essential Join Lee at Arcadia for a wine tasting and wild foods evening. Taste the new releases from Waimarie Wines and meet the wine makers. Sample Wild Country Foods and check out the wine accessories in stock. Arcadia Design Store, 335 State Highway 16, Huapai Ph 09 412 9784 or email arcadiadesignstore@clear.net.nz

"Putting on the Ritz" - Soljans 70th Anniversary Saturday 29th September, 7.30pm to midnight $45 includes cocktail on arrival and supper. Bookings essential. Step onto the red carpet & into the glamour of the 1940's. Celebrate our 70th anniversary in style! Live swing band, dancing and song. Dress: vintage 1940's - optional, dancing shoes - compulsory! SOLJANS ESTATE WINERY, 366 State Highway 16, Kumeu For bookings phone (09) 4125858

Antiques Wine Road show Sunday 30th September 2007, 11.00am - 5pm . FREE EVENT ! Free, professional evaluations of wine and wine memorabilia. Just like the TV show, who knows what secrets we will uncover! Plus Live Jazz, Heritage wine displays, Gourmet platters and champion regional wines. A fun day out for all, wine enthusiast and casual imbibers alike! Coopers Creek Vineyard, 601 State Highway 16 Huapai, Auckland, Ph 09 412 8560

The Kumeu Wine Country Heritage Case will also be available for purchase at all of the events and winery outlets throughout the Kumeu Wine Country. Answer to the trivia question was (b) The word "kume" is a verb and means to pull or tug at. "u" is a noun meaning breast. The origin is uncertain, but one story is that a local woman chief incited her troops to greater efforts by pulling at her breast.

ENDS

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