Is there anything better than curling up with a glass of red on a chilly winter’s evening?
Well, perhaps knowing a little more about that tipple you’re sipping… Which is where Bottle Shop Concepts steps in. Founded by wine commentator and educator Dan Sims, Bottle Shop Concepts is hosting a series of day-long wine festivals in Auckland and Wellington from July to September, events guaranteed to inspire you to try a little something new this season.
The first festival, Game of Rhones, will be held in Auckland on July 2 and Wellington on July 9 – a combative celebration of the classic grape varieties of the Rhone Valley in France, featuring 30 of the best producers from New Zealand, Australia and France. A $60 ticket gives you access to tastings of over 100 wines, with food, beer and cider also available to purchase. Guests are encouraged to taste their way around the room and cast their vote for the People’s Choice award by pitting variety, style, house and region against each other to see who will reign supreme. The legendary blind tasting ‘torture chamber’ will be running and you might even find a few of the wine producers dressed in their finest garb to fit the theme (and punters are also encouraged to partake!)
Bottle Shop Concepts’ flagship event, Pinot Palooza, will take place at Shed 10 in Auckland on September 3. Delve deep into the Southern Hemisphere’s finest Pinot Noirs, with plenty of opportunities to mix and mingle, taste test, and learn some inspiring Pinot facts to bust out at your next dinner party.
See the full programme of Bottle Shop Concepts events below:
Wine Day Out (Auckland) – July 1
Wine Day Out is a day of TEDx-style short talks and panel discussions celebrating the multiple personalities of wine from across the globe, industry trends, marketing and wine communication.
St. Matthews in the City
winedayout.com
Game of Rhones (Auckland) – July 2
1pm – 6pm (Royal Pass entry from 11am)
Level 1, Shed 10, 89 Quay Street, Auckland
General Admission tickets are $60 (Royal Pass $85) and available from gameofrhones.com
Games of Rhones (Wellington) – July 9
1pm – 6pm (Royal Pass entry from 11am)
Chaffers Dock, 1 Heard Street, Wellington
General Admission tickets are $60 (Royal Pass $85) and available from gameofrhones.com
Pinot Palooza (Auckland) – September 3
1pm – 6pm
Level 1, Shed 10, 89 Quay Street, Auckland
General Admission tickets are $65 and available from pinotpalooza.co.nz
