With an unmatched selection of independent New Zealand wine and spirits, the Craft’d Wine + Spirits Festival is your chance to sample from hard-to-find bottles, rare vintages and award-winning flavours all together under one roof, for one day, as part of the Elemental AKL festival.
Owner and organiser, Sue Duncan says her vision to “celebrate independents” is inspired by the incredible quality of emerging alcohol brands in New Zealand.
“There are 697 wineries in New Zealand and 603 of them are independent - producing some of the country’s finest wines. Likewise, there is a proliferation of exceptional New Zealand distilleries making stunning tastes and winning awards worldwide,” she says.
“Craft’d is the first festival to support only independent brands. Our mission is to help these small companies to grow their fortunes, and in doing so we have delivered an experiential event that provides the opportunity for guests to taste unique brands they may have never tried or even heard of. It’s a win-win.”
So what tastes can visitors expect?
If wine is your preference, try a sun-filled Syrah for Hopes Grove in the sunny Hawkes Bay - awarded 5 stars from Bob Campbell. Or sample one of the amazing selections from Collaboration Wines, a collaboration between owner/winemaker, Julianne Brogden and a collection of passionate growers from Hawke's Bay. Or for something completely different, try the natural flavours from The Pyramid Valley Biodynamic Vineyard.
If spirits are your preference, Broken Heart is a distillery that uses Southern Alps water and the freshest handpicked Kiwi botanicals to make Gin, Vodka, Spiced Rum and even Rhubarb Gin. Or try the Gin from National Distillery Company Ltd, a craft distillery located in the port area of Ahuriri, Hawkes Bay. Or, filling that sweet spot between wine and spirits, try the exciting new Wellington Vermouth by Te Aro Wines.
Along with tasting, Craft’d is the perfect blend of entertainment and education to create the perfect day out for both wine and spirit lovers, with masterclasses where visitors can learn more, along with food and music to complete the package.
Masterclasses include the incomparable Yvonne Lorkin talking about Glass Appreciation; emerging young winemaker Renée Dale discusses Demystifying Wine for Newbies; Jill Mulvaney, from Alembics NZ, deconstructs the aromatic botanicals in Gin Laid Bare and Felton Road’s Blair Walter asks: ‘Why Single Vineyards – What’s all the Fuss?’
There is also a Festival Club Lounge for tapas and wine matches, a dispensary for bottle purchases, and even a post-event ‘Craftdparty’ for those who don’t want the party to stop.
Whatever the grape or the grain you prefer, the Craft’d Wine + Spirits Festival is a must-see event, happening Sunday, 21 July 2019, at GridAKL, 12 Madden Street, Wynyard Quarter.
For more information visit www.craftd.global, or purchase tickets from: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2019/craftd-wine-and-spirits-festival/auckland
elocal has one General Admission R18 Ticket (includes one Luigi Bormioli Italian Festival Glass (RRP $20) and festival programme. Valued at $47.60.) to give away to one lucky elocal reader. Email your contact details to office@elocal.co.nz You must be over 18 to enter!