Great grape debate

Nick Picone, from Villa Maria, will participate in the Colliers Rural Grape Debate.

Is bigger really better? Two teams will go head-to-head to dispute this point when the Colliers Rural Grape Debate returns for its third edition.

The event, moderated by TV comedian Jeremy Corbett, is scheduled for Friday, August 4 at Te Awa Winery.

"The Grape Debate is so much more than another night at a winery," says Planit Events owner-operator Rebecca Tacon, who organised the night.

"It's an event where passion and fire comes out as winemakers argue their points and do their best to win the crowd over with their words, as opposed to their wine." Team Boutiques and Team Giants will take the gloves off and argue whether large-scale winemaking is better than small-scale. Tony Bish from Tony Bish Wines, Rod Easthope from Easthope family Winegrowers, and Daniel Brennan from Decibel Wines will spar for the Boutiques, with Nick Picone from Villa Maria, Natalie Christensen from Yealands and Nikolai St George from Giesen representing the Giants.

"The Grape Debates can get pretty heated, so Jeremy will be there to provide comic relief and ensure it's just witty words that are thrown across the room," Rebecca says.

As well as the debate, the night will be a fundraiser for the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter, with a live silent auction.

"Grape Debates aren't just a heck of a load of fun, they actually give winemakers a chance to get together and dispute ideas in a light-hearted but highly competitive environment, as well as raise money for a good cause," Rebecca says.

"The highlight of the debating is the banter that the winemakers seem to all have in extraordinary amounts. It turns out winemakers love a good argument. The wine drinkers in the crowd tend to get pretty involved too."

Rebecca's says only the good stuff will be served on the night.

"We wouldn't dare serve average wine at an event full of winemakers. There'd be a riot."

• Tickets to the Grape Debate are $150 and include a three-course meal, pre-dinner drinks, and a selection of wines. Tickets available from Eventfinda or Planit Events.