The build-up to the 10th Central Otago Pinot Noir celebration heats up

New events and venues have been announced as part of the annual Central Otago Pinot Noir celebration held from January 30 to February 1 2014 ensuring the event showcases the wine, food, people and places of Central Otago like never before.

For the first time the celebration will officially begin on the Thursday night with delegates able to enjoy a warm welcome at Josh Emett’s Rātā restaurant in the heart of Queenstown.

Celebration Chair Jen Parr of Terra Sancta said everyone was looking forward to kicking off the three day programme in the “vibrant and inviting” Rātā.

“Our 10th Pinot Noir celebration is an historic occasion and Josh Emett’s food and style has an energy that fits our wines perfectly,” said Ms Parr.

“While delegates relax and mingle, Rātā’s refreshingly stylish food and sleek surrounds will meet the mineral and edgy Central Otago whites.

The highly-anticipated Friday night Winemakers’ Party will be hosted at a “magnificent new retreat” which will remain top secret until the event itself.

“We’re certainly looking forward to a great night at a secret venue. For the first time in the event’s history we’ll feature some library stock, which will give us a chance to reflect on our wines ageability”.

During the festivities, which celebrate the success and diversity of Central Otago Pinot Noir, delegates will have the opportunity to meet a comprehensive range of Central Otago winegrowers, with 40 producers collaborating to host the event.

“Producers are really excited about the programme and we’ve had unrivalled interest in attending - so all the faces behind the region’s leading labels will be there.”

The notable faces attending extends to more than local wineries as the event has drawn the attendance of one of Burgundy’s most revered figures, Aubert de Villaine.

Co - owner of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Aubert de Villaine’s influence is undeniable. Named Decanter’s Man of the Year in 2010, he is known not just for his excruciatingly rare and sought-after wines but his great character and “his complete integrity and his willingness to involve himself in the wider community.”

“It’s an absolute privilege and honor to have someone of Aubert’s stature in the world wine industry attend our 10th Anniversary event,” said Ms Parr.

While luminaries of the wine and food world will gather in Queenstown for the celebration, the focus is on entertainment for all wine lovers.

“This will be the best opportunity for all people to meet the great characters of the Central Otago wine industry face to face, over spectacular food and a glass of wine, at their incredible vineyards, or for the brave, on the dance floor late at night.”

“Central Otago wine industry people love to have fun. There is a lot of hard work that goes into making Pinot Noir, but there’s a time to celebrate it as well.”

With early bird registration open until November 30 2013, people are encouraged to get in early to guarantee participation at what will be the “liveliest Pinot Celebration yet.”

“People will love the humour, the wonderful camaraderie, the heady range of personalities, experiences and discussions over seriously great wines set in the most awe-inspiringly beautiful wine region in the world.”

Registrations can be made online at www.pinotcelebration.co.nz

About the Central Otago Pinot Celebration

The Central Otago Pinot Celebration has been running since 2000, when a group of committed Central Otago producers identified an opportunity to provide a world class Pinot Noir event in New Zealand, following in the footsteps of other renowned pinot producing regions around the world.

The event takes place every two consecutive years, with every third year consigned to the Pinot Noir NZ Celebration in Wellington. The Central Otago Pinot Celebration has established itself as one of New Zealand’s premier wine events and its vision is to bring together the wine world’s leading writers and commentators, together with wine and food enthusiasts to experience Central Otago’s best wine, cuisine and sights.

The event in 2014

The 10th Anniversary event of the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration will be held in Queenstown and will journey into the surrounding wine regions so attendees can experience the stunning 'outback' and heart of the region.

Befriend more than 30 Central Otago Winemakers and mingle with up to 150 other wine enthusiasts from all over the world during the three day programme.

The celebration will take people on a sensory experience with wine-filled days of wine appreciation, exquisitely prepared cuisine and magical locations. Wine is the inspiration for the celebration, but it is the people that make it the international marvel that it has become.