Inaugural cup event a success

People dressed up for a day of Mint Juleps and The Melbourne Cup at Black Barn Vineyards in Havelock North. Photo / Duncan Brown

Yesterday's Mint Juleps and The Melbourne Cup event at Black Barn was a resounding success with guests already asking if it will run again next year.

It's something organisers are seriously considering: "I think if you get feedback like that you can only take it as good advice to run it again," events manager Francis De Jager said.

Bubbly and mint juleps flowed while people nibbled canapes on the lawn, before heading to the underground cellar for some racing excitement.

In all, about 75 people turned out - the men wearing suits with a yellow rose, the ladies donning fascinators and hats. "Everyone took our advice and dressed up. It was fantastic, it really was a stunning afternoon. For a first event I was really happy with how it went."

This year Black Barn were pleased with the turnout and quality of their Food and Wine Classic events, which included lunch at a mystery location and a dinner at Waimarama hosted by chef Annabel Langbein.

Tourism Hawke's Bay general manager Annie Dundas said the Mint Juleps and The Melbourne Cup event was "great" as punters watched the race from an underground cellar and enjoyed food and wine on the Black Barn lawns.

"People got involved in the sweepstake that Black Barn put on, it was fantastic."

She also said she was excited by today's event "Does my Wine Look Big in This?". The event is a wine tasting course, as guests learn how to taste wine like an expert, while being taught the key characteristics of the classic New Zealand varietals and learning how to smell and identify six well-known wines.

She said Wrapped, which continues today, will again prove popular as people learn from chef Danny Brown, as he teaches the art of making fresh pasta and traditional Italian sauces.