Mercy Hospital, in Dunedin, will receive $25,000 to provide surgical services to needy people, thanks to the efforts of Central Otago winegrowers who will again combine to produce a cuvee from the 2012 vintage.
Futures on the Central Otago-produced Celebration Cuvee were sold at an auction in January during the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration, which included tastings and winemaking workshops and attracted delegates from around the world.
The auction was held on behalf of the Central Otago Pinot Noir Charitable Trust.
The trust will give $25,000 of the proceeds to the Mercy Hospital Charitable Outreach programme, which provides surgical intervention to those who lack the means to pay for surgery and do not qualify for timely intervention within the public hospital system.
In the 2011-12 financial year, more than 68 procedures were undertaken at Mercy Hospital as part of the programme.
The donation will target Otago and Southland patients, particularly those with cataracts. Mercy Hospital Charitable Outreach will match any donation dollar for dollar and the surgeons will provide their time at a reduced rate.
Also auctioned was a work of art by Christchurch artist John Walsh.
"John's work is definitely the piece de resistance, asit will form the label on what is already deemed to be a collectors' edition of Central Otago Cuvee," trust chairman Alistair King said.
"Some of our bidders will cellar this wine for many, many years, both here in New Zealand and overseas. We should feel proud of our region's wine producers who rally together to support local community groups."
The wine will be made under the guidance of winemaker Peter Bartell, from Vinpro Ltd, in Cromwell.
The trust was formed in 2005 and has previously made seven donations to various charitable causes.
