Phil Brodie, winemaker at Te Mata Wine Estate, competes in The Hawke’s Bay Wine Amazing Race at the weekend. Photo: supplied.
International wine writers and trade visitors had their knowledge of the region’s wines put to the test in The Hawke’s Bay Wine Amazing Race on the weekend.
Held as part of the second annual Hawke’s Bay Wine Celebration, teams of visitors from the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, USA and Australia traveled around Hawke’s Bay sub-regionsin the amazing race, making specific pit stops as they deciphered clues and puzzles as well as competing in a variety of fun and challenging activities.
Through games such as the Mini Wine Olympics and Blind Tasting they gathered clues along the way that helped them move forward in the game, while also enjoying dinners at Black Barn and Ngatarawa Wines, and tasting Hawke’s Bay reds at Trinity Hill.
James Medina, chief executive of Hawke’s Bay Wine, said it was an entertaining way to showcase the region’s wines.
“Amongst all the fun we educate trade visitors and international wine media about what makes Hawke’s Bay one of the greatest wine regions of the world,” he said.
For the 24 local wineries involved it was the opportunity to form relationships with the VIPs, who got to ask their questions to the wineries first hand.
Patrick Schmitt, Managing Editor of Uk publication, Drinks Business, said he was delighted to have taken part in the event.
“As a Chardonnay lover, Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay really appeals to me, the Syrah is exceptional, I think it’s distinctive, very identifiable and memorable. I’ve been
Medina said it was all about getting Hawke’s Bay wine planted firmly on the international map.
“The consistency in the quality of our wines, the climate and the beauty of our environment are of an international standing. When you’re surrounded by it every day it’s easy to think of it as nothing special – but what we have here is very special. The more we can get the internationals to experience our wine region first hand, the more results our wineries will see,” Medina said.