Newspaper Article – A vintage time promised

A vintage time promised

CENTRAL Hawke’s Bay is to be depicted as the ‘Vintage Experience-Taste the country’ in November’s regional ‘Wine and Roses’ promotion.

The ‘Wine and Roses’ marketing campaign is a month long promotion aimed at increasing the number of visitors beyond the usual December-February peak.

Central Hawke’s Bay is allocated November 20 – 22 as its part of the provincial festival, steering committee chairperson Rae Walker said.

“It is a great opportunity for the district to showcase its own uniquely rural attractions and events, through the theme of a Vintage Experience,” she said.

“The response from the community so far is superb, and over 40 gardens from Otane to Porangahau will be open for the weekend hosting complimentary events such as wine tasting, art exhibitions, gourmet meals, craft and food stalls, pottery displays and musical evenings,” Mrs Walker said.

The historical theme will include vintage cars and clydesdale drawn wagons as a feature of the weekend, bus tours will also be available for those with tighter schedules, she said.

Added attractions to the weekend will be announced as they are confirmed, she said.

An event’s brochure of the Wine and Roses promotion is available at the Information Centre, with a Central Hawke’s Bay specific local events brochure underway.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism chairwomen Pauline Campbell announced last week that the Wine and Roses Festival would promote Hawke’s Bay as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific’, and would bring together a range of activities and events held in November into one promotional package.

Photo caption – Central Hawke’s Bay Wine & Roses steering committee members preparing for November’s ‘Vintage Experience’ with a 1935 DeSoto owned by Carol and Wayne Russell. Pictured from left; Rosemary Rendle, Brenda Haldane; Rae Walker and Judy Macdonald.