Sauvignon NZ lunch

The International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration is a three day event, which happens every three years in Marlborough.

The Coterie partnered with Ben Glover’s Zephyr wine brand, to put on a lunch, on the third day of the conference. The lunch was a relaxed affair, held in one of the many olive groves dotted around The Coterie’s property.

Guests entered the olive grove, to the tropical tunes performed by Vanuatu musicians, who form part of the team at Vine Power. These guys are a huge part of the wine industry, not only in Marlborough, but in Central Otago and Hawkes Bay. Without them, much of the vineyard labour would fall by the wayside.

The Sauvignon Blanc committee had prepared 121 different bottles of Sauvignon Blanc to taste through, which were set up on a self pour format bar and guests were happy to taste through at their own pace and selection.

Lunch was a delectable and abundant affair, with slow cooked smoky beef brisket and pulled pork, cooked for two days on the very swish Traegar Grills, by Marcia Chang Hong, local cook and foodie.

Diners ate, to the soft sounds of Sarah Brown, one of Marlborough’s finest talents on guitar and vocals, until local winemaker, Brownie, from Waipara Hills took over and belted out a few Perl Jam and Interpol numbers.

Guests were treated to Nice Blocks, which went down very well in the 35 degree heat, before stepping back on the bus and heading off to their next event.