Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of wine-producing estate Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, has been invited to attend the Central Otago pinot noir 10th anniversary celebration in Queenstown as the leader of a delegation seeking recognition of Burgundy's vineyards as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The expected presence of Mr de Villaine had Central Otago winemakers buzzing with excitement, Jen Parr, of Terra Sancta, Bannockburn, and chairwoman of the celebration in January 2014, said yesterday.
''Aubert de Villaine is a tremendous inspiration to us all and his desire to visit Central Otago and participate in our signature event is an incredible way to mark our 10th celebration and is a great testament to how far Central Otago has come in the international pinot noir community in such a short space of time.''
Wanaka winegrower Nick Mills, of Rippon, who worked at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in 2002, said Mr de Villaine was ''one of the most erudite, articulate and respected figures in the wine industry, yet what strikes you most, and almost immediately, about his character is the warmth and humility with which he approaches his craft and the people around him.''
English wine publication Decanter awarded Mr de Villaine the ''Man of the Year'' award in 2010. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti makes some of the world's rarest and most expensive wines, including La Romanée-Conti itself and La Tâche. La Romanée-Conti is considered to be Burgundy's greatest vineyard.
About 40 Central Otago producers will be opening their pinot noirs and telling their stories over the three days of the pinot celebration from January 30 to February 1. While the celebration is based in Queenstown, participants will also visit wineries and restaurants in Amisfield, Wanaka, Bannockburn, Cromwell and Alexandra.
