The Colliers Rural Grape Debate - Charity Event

The famous Colliers Rural Grape Debate comes to Marlborough on Friday the 3rd of November for the second year in a row. Two teams will argue the moot, “Is Hawke’s Bay, riding Marlborough’s Coat-tails ? “
 
“The Grape Debate is so much more than a night out,” says event organiser Rebecca Tacon, owner-operator of Planit Events.
 
“It’s an event where passion and fire comes out as winemakers argue their points and do their best to win the crowd over with their words as opposed to their wine.”
 
Team Hawke’s Bay and team Marlborough will take the gloves off and argue which Region is best
 
On team Marlborough we have we have Ben Glover from Zephyr Wines, Anna Flowerday from Te Whare Ra Winery and Bart Arnst for Darling Wines. Fighting it out for Hawke’s Bay is Tim Turvey from Clearview Estate Winery, Rod Easthope from Rod Easthope Wines and Ant Mackenzie from Ant Mackenzie wines.
 
“The Grape Debates can get pretty heated, so Jeremy Corbett will be there to provide comic relief and ensure it’s just witty words that are thrown across the room,” Rebecca says.
 
As well as the debate, the night will be a fundraiser. All proceeds will be donated to the Mayoral relief funds that have been set up throughout the region to support those suffering hardship from the Kaikoura Earthquake.

 
“Grape Debates aren’t just a heck of a load of fun, they actually give winemakers a chance to get together and dispute ideas in a light-hearted but highly competitive environment, as well as raise money for a good cause” Rebecca says.  
 
“The highlight of the debating is the banter that the winemakers seem to all have in extraordinary amounts. It turns out winemakers love a good argument! The wine drinkers in the crowd get pretty involved too.”
 
Those drinking wine in the crowd have Rebecca’s word they’ll be drinking the good stuff too.
 
“We wouldn’t dare serve average wine at an event full of winemakers. There’d be a riot!”
 
Tickets to the Grape Debate are $135 and include a three course meal, pre-dinner drinks, and a great selection of wines. Tickets are available from Eventfinda or Planit Events
 
ENDS
 
For further information, comment, high-res photos, or interviews, please contact Rebecca Tacon directly on 021 1490 574 or at rebecca@eventshb.co.nz

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