Taupo Expo a big hit

By Joelle Thomson

You know what they say about overnight success stories? Behind every single one of them, there are two decades of hard graft as someone works hard to turn their dreams into reality.

This is exactly what led to the raging success of this year’s Merchant of Taupo Scenic Cellars 15th Annual Wine, Craft Beer & Food Expo. There were about 500 people at this year’s event, which was held last Wednesday in downtown Taupo.
It was a great night. And there was an outstanding range of wine, beer, food and spirits, including the exceptionally good Lighthouse Gin from the Wairarapa.
The annual event attracted 30 producers this year. These included all of our favourites from Astrolabe to Whitehaven, with Bach Brewing, Clearview Estate Winery, Coal Pit Wines, EuroVintage, Mills Reef, Moa, Moet Hennessey, Sapori d’Italia, Thomson Whisky and Tickety Boo, to name but a few of the top notch industry stalwarts who made the event such a great success.

The man at the helm of the Merchant of Taupo is Dale Henderson, who is thrilled to see the annual expo go from strength to strength – and is on a constant quest to refine it each year, which ensures that visitor numbers grow and the quality is constantly growing.

This year there was more food on offer from healthy salmon and rocket salad to deliciously tasty Over the Moon Dairy Company cheeses, which began in 2007 and have grown to become one of the North Island’s best quality cheese producers today, based in Putaruru. There were tasty chicken nibbles and sweet treats. And there was no shortage of interesting wines to match with them, including Lallier Champagnes and Kopke Port – two brands that we bring in directly, ensuring massive value for money when it comes to high quality at a modest price.

It was great to taste Whitehaven Wines from Marlborough, which supplied a wide range including the fresh two year old 2016 Whitehaven Marlborough Riesling (one of this country’s best kept delicious wine secrets) to the four year old 2014 Whitehaven Pinot Noir – drinking superbly now.

One of the freshest wines of the night was the brand spanking new 2018 Craggy Range Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc, a zesty little number which had been in the bottle for a brief two weeks at the time of tasting. It was drinking well too, given its youthful stage in life.

These and other wines, beers, spirits and food were the tip of an extremely successful wine expo, which had a fun, friendly vibe and clearly a strong following from Taupo locals.

It’s been 15 years in the making.Let’s raise a glass to the next 15 – and wish Dale and the Taupo team continued success.