To celebrate the 2010 harvest in one of Central Otago's most renowned grape-growing areas, the sixth annual Gibbston Harvest Festival will be held on Saturday, at Peregrine Wines.
Building on the success of previous festivals, the Gibbston Harvest Festival will feature 15 local wineries and eight leading restaurant and specialty food suppliers from Gibbston, Queenstown and Arrowtown.
"Over the past years, support for the festival has really grown, which has allowed us to give the community back $100,000," Peregrine Wines marketing manager and one of the festival organisers, Greg Hay, said.
"While the focus is great wine and food, it is a fun, relaxed afternoon for the whole family. There will be a lot happening, with entertainment by local musicians The Cartel, and More FM's Janey Newlands, as well as barrel-rolling competitions, bouncy castles and a games area for the kids."
There would be wine and food master classes from noon, with informative and humorous demonstrations by sommeliers Paul Tudgay and Neil Taylor and cooking demonstrations by chef Brendan Downer, Mr Hay said.
All wineries involved in the festival harvest grapes from vineyards in the Gibbston region, with the wines on offer made from Gibbston fruit.
Each year, local charities and community groups are invited to become the Gibbston Harvest Festival nominated charity, and receive all the profits from ticket sales. This year the recipient is the Queenstown Swim Club.
"Funds raised will be used for new pool equipment, training of volunteer coaches and money to cover pool-hire fees for the next few years; also computers for recording swimmers' personal-best times from our ribbon nights through to regional and New Zealand national meets," fundraising co-ordinator Sue Denison said. The Gibbston Harvest Festival runs from 11am to 5pm on Saturday.
Tickets are $15 for adults (including tasting glass) and a gold-coin donation for children, and are available at the gate on the day.
Entry to the master classes is by gold-coin donation. Car parking is free. Transport to the festival is also available through Snag Bus Tours.
For bookings and inquiries, telephone (03) 442-1900.
Visit www.gibbstonharvestfestival.com for more details.
Ticket giveaway
The Otago Daily Times and Queenstown Times are offering five lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets each to the Gibbston Harvest Festival on Saturday, between 11am and 5pm.
To be in to win, simply email your answer to this question, along with your name and daytime phone number, to news@queenstown times.co.nz, with Gibbston Harvest Festival in the subject heading.
Which winery hosts the Gibbston Harvest Festival this year?
The winners will be notified on Friday.
Participating suppliers
Wineries, restaurants and specialty food suppliers participating in the 2010 Gibbston Harvest Festival.
Wineries:
Brennan Wines, Chard Farm, Coal Pit Wines, Gibbston Highgate Estate, Gibbston Valley Wines, Hawkshead, High Plains Wine Company, Mount Edward, Mt Rosa, Peregrine, Remarkable Wines, Rockburn, Valli, Waitiri Creek, Wild Hare Wines.
Leading restaurants and speciality food suppliers:
Gibbston Valley Cheese, Les Alpes, Mantra, Memories of Hong Kong, Patagonia Chocolates, Skyline Restaurant, Vknow, Waitiri Creek Restaurant.
