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South Island to Showcase its Great Wines

Wednesday 26 May 2010, 1:26PM

By Christchurch City Council

709 views

Vineyard in Central Otago-courtesy Central Otago Pinot Noir
Vineyard in Central Otago-courtesy Central Otago Pinot Noir Credit: Christchurch Ι South Island
Seaview at Awatere Valley-courtesy Wine Marlborough
Seaview at Awatere Valley-courtesy Wine Marlborough Credit: Christchurch Ι South Island
Waipara Wine Valley Dining - Courtesy Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism
Waipara Wine Valley Dining - Courtesy Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism Credit: Christchurch Ι South Island

CHRISTCHURCH

Christchurch Ι South Island, the newest member to the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network, is thrilled to be hosting this year’s AGM and international wine conference – Wine Discovery New Zealand 2010 – from 31 October to 4 November.

The opportunity to host the Network’s AGM and develop this international wine conference arose from Christchurch Ι South Island’s acceptance into the Network at the end of last year.

Christchurch Ι South Island is a central hub uniting the five South Island wine regions of Marlborough, Nelson/Tasman, Waipara Valley, Canterbury and Central Otago for a common goal.

Christchurch City Council Marketing Manager, Richard Stokes, says the network offers access to eight other significant economies that are interested in wine science, wine tourism and wine in general – “and we want to take full advantage of this.

“As a key partner of the Christchurch Ι South Island wine capital, we are excited about this unique opportunity to showcase and reaffirm New Zealand as a maker of premium wines to a prestigious international audience.

“The conference will incorporate stimulating and relevant programmes for local and international wine business, research and media participants, and will include the Network’s icon AGM events such as an international wine tasting evening,” he says.

Marcus Pickens, Marketing Manager at Wine Marlborough, says he is excited about their inclusion to the network and is looking forward to the opportunity to host international delegates.

“South Island wines and tourism destinations are already marketed with great success overseas, but there are real benefits in working together across our regions to produce even better results.

“This won’t be your usual conference, held in the one spot – but a cluster of events where key industry players from overseas markets will be invited to explore the five South Island wine regions that make up our membership and discover for themselves the secrets behind our premium wines,” he says.

Pre and post event wine tours will also include venturing to some North Island wine regions.

Mayor Bob Parker says the conference will provide opportunities to showcase Christchurch City to a premium tourist market in the lead up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

“As always we can achieve more by working together than independently – by understanding that principle and pooling our resources, we can harvest a great promotional opportunity for wine producers and tourism operators.

“The conference will also highlight Christchurch as the gateway to a diverse and dramatic range of wine tourism destinations. We invite the rest of the world to come and discover a new wine and a new taste - in New Zealand,” he says.

For further information and to register for Wine Discovery New Zealand 2010 visit: www.southislandwine.co.nz/conference.