Mike Moloney from Sacred Hill Wines and Cranford Hospice's Helen Blaxland recently toasted the success of a grassroots drive that raised $1000 for charity.
Mr Moloney, the winery's sales and marketing co-ordinator and "keen foodie", presented the cheque to Mrs Blaxland with money raised from a gourmet barbecue.
Visitors to the winery'scellar door raised $462 by tucking into gourmet venison or mushroom burgers, and relaxing to local band Stolen Records.
In the spirit of charity, the winery more than matched the raised funds and Te Mata Mushrooms, Aromatics, Epicurean Supplies and Deli Hawke's Bay donated food to the cause.
Mr Moloney said there was "a great turn-out" that exceeded last year's event, although agreed some patrons looked a little jaded from the Hawke's Bay Wine and Food Festival.
Cranford Hospice spokesperson Graeme Milne said community support, in all forms, was important to the hospice. "We like to reflect on grassroot support as a true indication of the community's support for the care of its dying," he said. "That's important to Cranford and our staff."
