Wine buffs urged to grab top chance

Cranford Hospice general manager Helen Blaxland says the hospice receives great support from the annual charity wine auction. Photo / File

Bringing dozens of Hawke's Bay wineries together for an afternoon of pre-release tastings is set to add plenty of buzz to this year's Hawke's Bay Winegrowers Charity Fine Wine Auction.

Tomorrow's event, to be held for the first time at Hawke's Bay Racing's Cheval Rooms, is in its 23rd year and likely to see the total amount raised for Cranford Hospice pushed beyond the $2.5 million mark.

The auction will be a rare opportunity for the public to chat with many local winemakers in one place, sample wines from a top vintage, pool resources and get their hands on some unique blends.

Sacred Hill winemaker Tony Bish describes the 2013 vintage as "spectacularly good" and encourages locals to grab the chance to taste and purchase wines pre-release: "It's a great opportunity for friends and wine lovers to get syndicates together and buy some great wines at favourable prices."

Mr Bish says it's nice to see so many wineries and businesses contributing to New Zealand's oldest and most established charity wine auction.

"It's marvellous to see the entire industry and sponsors pull together to support Cranford."

Cranford general manager Helen Blaxland says many families have benefited from the hospice's free palliative-care services, and its pleasing to see the huge support and generous volumes being supplied for auction.

The support from the business community, including major sponsor WineWorks and support from Hawke's Bay Today, means most of costs will be covered and proceeds will go directly to the cause.

A large range of wines, including magnums and one-off blends, will be offered by 39 wineries. A Vanuatu holiday package and large Hawke's Bay landscape painting by artist Freeman White are also on offer.

Organisers are promoting a relaxed event and hope to attract a wide range of people. Significant quantities are on offer, and there is the prospect of cellaring the wines for many years.

Tickets are on sale for $20, with former Napier MP Chris Tremain the auctioneer.

See hawkesbaywineauction.co.nz for more information.