For 19 years the Midlands Charity Wine Auction has raised more than $2 million for Cranford Hospice, and tonight's 20th-anniversary event looks set to kick off with a five-figure start - even before the auctioneer's hammer comes down.
One of the artworks commissioned for the auction, which will take place at Te Awanga's Elephant Hill Winery, is a painting by Dick Frizzell and Martin Poppelwell titled Study For Rough Red 2010.
Event organisers Hawke's Bay Winegrowers had the artwork valued by professional art dealer Judith Anderson, who said it was worth $55,000.
Barrels of fine wine, rare selections and special lots will also go under auctioneer Chris Tremain's hammer.
The event will kick off with a candlelit dinner featuring fine food and wine, in an event which has become a "must" on the social and fundraising calender.
Leading up to the event, and completing a celebratory weekend for the Bay's wine industry, is the first Hot Red Hawke's Bay event to be staged in the region - it is usually a travelling drawcard in Auckland and Wellington.
It takes place tonight at Black Barn in Havelock North.
Hawke's Bay Winegrowers executive officer Lyn Bevin said guests would enjoy an "unrepeatable experience" in sampling some of the 166 wines, many of them reserves from the Bay's wineries.
Included in the array will be a 2006 CJ Pask Declaration Cabernet Merlot malbec - the oldest wine in the line-up.
The much-lauded Crossroads Talisman 2009 will also be available for the tasting.
"It is a secret blend that has never been revealed and tasting notes suggest it might be the best one yet," Ms Bevin said.
The region's finest reds will be rivalled by the finest whites.
"Chardonnay and white-wine lovers won't be disappointed."
Many winemakers will be attending to answer questions and discuss their wines. "It is all about enjoying Hawke's Bay's best."
Public tickets are still available from wine auction website www.charitywineauction
Wine and dine for hospice tonight
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