Winery celebrates with Cure Kids

Artist Thomas Brown with the original Otago Winemakers' oil on canvas.  A signed replica of the...
Artist Thomas Brown with the original Otago Winemakers' oil on canvas. A signed replica of the painting will be auctioned at the Gibbston Valley Winery anniversary dinner on September 1, with all proceeds from the auction going to Cure Kids. Photos supplied.
A black tie dinner next month, marking Gibbston Valley Winery's 25th commercial grape harvest, will also mark another milestone - the winery's support of Cure Kids.

It would also celebrate the remarkable story of Cure Kids ambassador and Queenstown resident Sophie Newbold, who will celebrate her 18th birthday on September 14.

Sophie lives with CFC syndrome, a rare genetic condition which typically affects the heart, facial features and skin, and is so small for her age she is often thought to be younger.

Gibbston resident Sophie Newbold, a Cure Kids ambassador, who will turn 18 next month.  Gibbston...
Gibbston resident Sophie Newbold, a Cure Kids ambassador, who will turn 18 next month. Gibbston Valley Winery's Anniversary Dinner on September 1 will double as an early birthday celebration for her.
She is just the 12th person in the world to be diagnosed with the condition at birth.

Sophie and her family live in Gibbston Valley and Sophie had been invited to be a waitress at the celebration dinner, helping her achieve a "bucket list" goal of having a part-time job.

Cure Kids business development director Josie Spillane said she could see "no better way" to begin Sophie's birthday month than with a 25th birthday celebration in her "backyard".

"The Newbold family is really looking forward to attending the dinner and being part of the evening.

"Cure Kids has an ongoing commitment to helping Sophie achieve some of her dreams, one of which is to get a part-time job," Mrs Spillane said.

"We're delighted that Gibbston Valley Winery has asked her to be a waitress on the night, and I've already bagged her to wait on my table." Mrs Spillane said it was a "huge testament to the community and an honour for Cure Kids" to work with Gibbston Valley Winery.

All proceeds from auctions during the dinner would be going to the national charity.

Auction items included a signed replica of Otago Winemakers, a painting donated by local artist Thomas Brown, and exclusive Gibbston Valley wines.

The celebration dinner, which would include a five-course degustation menu with matching award-winning Gibbston Valley wines, would be held in the new "Barrel Hall".

Gibbston Valley Winery chief executive Greg Hunt said the dinner was a very special occasion.

"This is a significant milestone, celebrating the first production of pinot noir in our region.

"We're thrilled to be hosting this event and supporting this hugely worthy community charity at the same time.

"We're digging deep into our cellars and pulling out some of our most highly sought-after wine for the auction, including special release large format bottles of Gibbston Valley wine that have never before been available."

Mr Hunt said a highlight of the auction would be a "double magnum" of 2011 Le Maitre, the label from the original home block, which was planted by wine pioneer Alan Brady 25 years ago.

Other Gibbston Valley wines for auction on the night would include the 2011 9-litre Reserve pinot noir, three double magnums of 2009, 2010 and 2011 Gibbston Valley pinot noir, and a four-pack of signed Single Vineyard wines from 2011.

Totally Tourism had also donated a Remarkables scenic helicopter flight for two to the auction and local fashion designer Claire Brinsley had donated one of her current season Claire Bloom dresses.

Signed magnums of Le Maitre pinot noir would also be for sale at the cellar door, for guests to purchase as collectors' items.

 

 

 

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