Vintners Brunch 2011
While the Vintners’ Brunch concept was developed in Canada, it was Bill Spence (formerly) of Matua Valley Wines who obtained the rights for this event and brought it to New Zealand in 1996. Matua Valley Wines allows North Shore Hospice the exclusive privilege of using this event to raise funds.
This year, twelve prominent Auckland Restaurants provided an entree-size portion of a “signature dish” to tempt the 450 guests.
All twelve “signature dishes” were then matched with a wine from twelve prominent New Zealand Wineries. All the wine was donated by the very generous wineries.
This year the event was held on Sunday, 10 July at SKYCITY Convention Centre. Upon arrival, guests enjoyed complimentary “bubbles” and canapés. Once seated, they were welcomed by the very popular Food and Wine Critic, Vic Williams who also hosted the entire event. His wealth of knowledge on food and wine is always informative and entertaining.
After the official welcome, everyone was then free to select the dishes and matching wines, in their own time, enjoying a leisurely afternoon of wining and dining.
Each year the Vintners’ Brunch Food & Wine Award is eagerly contested by the restaurants and wineries. Guests vote for the winning restaurant and winery combination. This is a sponsored prize.
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As principal sponsors for this event, Bayleys North Shore’s Director, Sue Stanaway, organized the running of a live auction, courtesy of their in-house auctioneer, Daniel Coulson. This contributed $47,000 towards the fantastic total raised of $140,000, with the silent auction making $15,000 from the 45 items listed.
Money was also raised from the sale of numbered gold coins at $10 each, with the winner receiving $1,000 (which they very kindly donated back to Hospice), along with proceeds from the sale of the 45 table centerpieces.
Bayleys North Shore is proud to be able to annually support such a worthy cause, and are pleased their efforts go some way to helping the North Shore Hospice provide care for both patients and their families.
