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20 July 2009

Best ever Hot Red Hawke’s Bay sees record attendance

Winemakers and wine drinkers alike were treated to what organisers are calling ‘the best’ Hot Red Hawke’s Bay show yet, after another successful year of the annual expo.
 
With overall attendance at this year’s expo up by over six percent on last year, and trade attendance up a massive 56 percent, organisers say they are delighted with both the turnout and the positive feedback they are receiving from attendees.

“Auckland saw the greatest increase in numbers with 157 trade attending compared to 112 in 2008.  There was strong demand for tickets from wine consumer with the Wellington show being sold out,” says Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc. Executive Officer, Lyn Bevin.

“This year’s shows went really, really well and we are very happy with the results,” she adds.

Lyn says she believes the show has now truly come of age. “The event has developed to a level where people have become familiar with it and know to look out for it each year.  With only a small amount of subtle and localised promotion in the lead up to the event, the show has retained its boutique-like feel.

“We know that appointments have been made between trade and wineries, in many cases for the selection of wines to fit specific menus.”

Russell Wiggins, winemaker for CJ Pask Winery has shown at the last five Hot Red Hawke’s Bay events and attended all three shows in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland this year.

“I think it went really well.  The general public is becoming more educated and discerning and they knew what they wanted to know.  This year’s shows all had good representation from trade with a fair number of decision makers present.”

CJ Pask Winery has recently changed distributors so Russell says it was a good opportunity to reintroduce themselves to those not aware of that, and to those who had not had the opportunity to try their wines before.

“We established some positive leads for new outlets.  Many people tried our wines and were impressed,” he says.
 
Owner of Bridge Pa Vineyard, Lisa Daysh is another local winemaker who has been exhibiting at the event for the past four or five years.  This year she attended the Wellington and Auckland shows and agrees they just keep getting better.

“The consumer element is getting bigger and better with an increased number of informed people tasting, commenting and discussing with winemakers.  This expo has a great format and offers people a very unique opportunity to taste the style they prefer and compare over a number of wineries.”

Lisa adds that her involvement with the show over the past few years has really helped build awareness of her company’s wines.  “I was delighted by the high recognition of our brand, it’s now at its best ever and this is due in part to being part of Hot Red Hawke’s Bay.”

Winner of this year’s Wine Lovers Dream Weekend competition, Hugh Thomson attended the Wellington show and says he believes it is consistently the best in terms of both wine and vineyards represented. 

“Hot Red Hawke’s Bay offers a great range, wonderful wines and best value for money.  There are a growing number of wine events in Wellington but I definitely always make sure that we go to this one.

“The prize is definitely very much a wonderful collection of activities and I am particularly excited by the vertical tasting opportunities,” says Hugh, who will collect his prize, including Air New Zealand return flights to Hawke’s Bay, five star accommodation, and a selection of unique local wine experiences, at a time that suits during the coming months.

Hugh says he has been an avid wine consumer for about 20 years.  He has completed winemaking and viticulture certificate courses at EIT in the past for interest’s sake, but over the past two years has not had the time to continue due to work demands.

“I hope to do more when time allows it, and maybe get into the wine business myself if the right opportunity presents itself.”

Lyn Bevin says it’s the enthusiastic and passionate wine lovers like Hugh that make running the show each year a pleasure.

“We know that every person who walks through our door on the night has a great love of wine; it’s the reason we go to such effort to make sure their experience is unforgettable.”

Hot Red Hawke’s Bay was held in Christchurch at Christchurch Town Hall on Tuesday July 7; in Wellington at The Duxton Hotel on Wednesday July 8; and in Auckland at Heritage Hotel on Thursday July 9.

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