Celebrating the launch of a special range of Royal
Albatross wines by Gibbston Valley Wines is (from left)
Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel assistant manager Dylan
Rushbrook, Gibbston Valley Wines managing director Mike
Stone and Otago Peninsula Trust general manager Robyn
McDonald. Photo by Jane Dawber.
It is hoped up to $50,000 can be raised to help the
endangered northern royal albatross at Taiaroa Head with the
production of a special line of 2008 Royal Albatross wines.
The limited release wines have been produced by Gibbston
Valley Wines and a percentage of the proceeds would go
towards albatross conservation projects.
The idea for the fundraiser came from a meeting between
Gibbston Valley Wines managing director Mike Stone and Otago
Peninsula Trust general manager Robyn McDonald.
From that a special albatross label was developed.
Mr Stone said 7000 bottles of pinot noir, pinot gris and
chardonnay made from 2008 hand-picked grapes from Gibbston
vineyards in Central Otago had been produced for the
albatross label which could raise between $20,000 and $50,000
a year for the trust.
"It's unique and a good chance for Gibbston to do something
to give back to the country."
Ms McDonald said the idea was first to create a wine to sell
from the colony's gift shop, but it was extended to other
Dunedin restaurants and hotels so more could get in behind
the conservation effort.
"It is a quality wine and people are giving back at the same
time."
Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel was one of the first to
put it on the wine list and make a pledge to give the trust
about $5 from the sale of each bottle.
Once the success of the fundraiser was known, a project to
benefit the albatross colony would be decided upon, she said.
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