Here comes the sun!
[As published in September/October BayBuzz magazine.]
We’re nearly there … out of the cold and into the warmth. Time soon for sandals and short sleeves and alfresco dining and even better, summery outdoor events.
Back for its third year, the Harvest Hawke’s Bay Wine & Food Festival fits the bill for the perfect kick off to months of summer fun. It’s on November 22 out riverside in the Tukituki valley, and it’s a celebration of all that is delicious and delightful in our food and wine scene.
There’s no FAWC this year, so special food and wine events are a little less abundant, but Harvest gives you a chance to have lots of lovely and tasty experiences on one day. Attendees of last year’s festival tell me one of the best things about the event is the lack of lines to stand in. With 18 wine producers involved and nine restaurants / food providers, there’s room and time and space for sampling and sipping at leisure. Have a bite to eat, match it with a glass of wine or two. Have a dance. Another stroll for another snack. A little sip more of something else. All while wearing a sun hat and yes, short sleeves.
Tickets (which are selling quickly) are capped at 2,200, and last year over half of these sold to out-of-towners, so it’s a nice mix of visitors and locals soaking up the relaxed atmosphere beneath the olive trees and Te Mata Peak.
This year the wine offerings come from Ash Ridge, Askerne, Black Barn Vineyards, Brookfields, Chateau Garage, Cuvar Winery, Decibel, Easthope Family Winegrowers, Maison Noire, Oak Estate, Paritua, Petane, Radburnd Cellars, Smith & Sheth, Collaboration Wines, Te Mata Estate, Trinity Hill and Village Vineyards.
Excitingly for the organisers and anyone who’s not all for wine, Brave Brewing Co are onboard this year too, Event organisers say the decision to introduce craft beer to the festival line up comes in direct response to feedback from festival goers over the past two years.
“We’ve listened carefully to the suggestions of our loyal Harvest Festival followers, many of whom have told us they’d love to see premium local craft beer alongside our outstanding wine and food,” says event manager Liz Pollock.
And to complement all the beverages? A nicely varied line up of the region’s restaurants and eateries will provide some of their signature dishes. Making up the mix is Black Barn Bistro, Cellar 495, Deliciosa, Long Island Deli, Malo, Mister D, Rasoi, Roam Napier, and Tu Meke Don.
There are shuttles running from Havelock North, Hastings and Napier, car parking right there, or ride your bike out – the venue is just off the cycleway.
Find your tickets at harvesthawkesbay.com
