A return to grass roots is what the
Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival is all about.
In its third year, it is easy to predict its popularity will grow to the
point that ticket sales will sell out very quickly next year. If you want to attend a wine festival that
has all the good feeling of being ‘laid back’, fun and friendly to be at, then
you’ll need to act quickly when bookings open in 2011. As seen at this year’s event, held yesterday on
Saturday 20 March, it is an event where a comfortably sized crowd of
well-behaved, mature attendees, many accompanied by young children, can enjoy a
neat day out, tasting very good, interesting and emerging wines with classy and
hearty local fare, while listening to cruisy, familiar music. There was no unseemly behaviour to be seen
among the 2000 attending and an air of relaxation and responsibility underlined
the festival. The Cliffs riverside
venue, set among 600-1000 year old totaras and kahikateas is beautiful,
spacious and protected. With all the
parking, shuttle and transport facilities and options available, the organizers,
headed by Liz Pollock had all the comforts and needs of the attendees sorted.
It is very pleasing to see all of
the wine producers of the Wairarapa work together in promoting the region. Martinborough certainly set the scene, but
the wines from Masterton, Gladstone and their surrounds are now providing
strong support. Indeed there are ties
that bind all these sub-regions in terms of share vineyard sources, winemaking
expertise and equipment. There were 16
winemakers showing their wares and the styles represented were spread across
the wine spectrum. I enjoyed the brand
new Joseph Ryan Chardonnay/Pinot 2008 and Waipipi Chenin Mousseux Methode
Traditionnelle wines as starters. Most
of the producers have a variety of whites and a full gamut was available, from
Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier and more. Wines that pleased in particular were Urlar
Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Johner Riesling 2009, Schubert ‘Tribianco’ 2008 and
Matahiwi ‘Holly’ Chardonnay 2008. Also a
refreshing standout was Gladstone Vineyard Rosé 2009. However, Pinot Noir was the main attraction,
and it was worthwhile tasting the Cottier 2007, Johner 2007, Little ‘Tar Pit
Hill’ 2008, Loopline 2006, Mebus 2008, Schubert ‘Marion’s Vineyard’ 2008 and Waipipi
‘Henry’ 2008. The standout Pinot Noirs
were Fairmont 2008, Paddy Borthwick 2008, Matahiwi ‘Holly’ 2008 and the yet to
be released Wycroft more-approachable ‘Forbury’ and flagship ‘estate’
2009s. Diverse sweet wines were also on
offer, and it was fun to taste the Hudson LH Riesling 2009, the Paulownia LH
Sauvignon Blanc 2008 and stunning new Urlar Noble Riesling 2009.
To go alongside the wines was good,
solid robust food of which Scotty’s Meats venison burgers were noteworthy. But fine cuisine offered subtlety and finesse
as seen in the offerings from the likes of Bar Saluté and Café Cecille. You could enjoy whitebait fritters to
sausages to sushi through the day. Eight
food and produce exhibitors ensured variety and substance. And for the duration of the festival, the
sounds of funky jazz from Hikoikoi, up-beat dancing sound and moves from
AviDiva, soulful countrified ballads from Barry Saunders and Hobnail Boots
along with the 60s and 70s groove and rock from California Dreamers kept us all
entertained.
In total character of the unpretentious,
rural feel and return to grass roots of the Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival
was the value of the wines and food on offer.
It really was like the ‘good old days’ of the very first wine festivals
before they morphed into bigger and more sophisticated events. The organizers of the festival have the pitch
and the setting perfect. Bookmark
www.wairarapawines.co.nz to keep in the loop.
See you there in March 2011.