Top NZ acts for series

Santa Monica-based New Zealand singer-songwriter Greg Johnson, pictured at Prime Waterfront Restaurant and Bar in June, returns to the Wakatipu to launch the Summer Playground concert series at the Winehouse on January 15. Photo by James Beech.

Although Wakatipu music fans are spoilt for choice with music festivals in the Queenstown Lakes district this summer, the hosts of a series of top New Zealand acts say they are offering a more intimate vibe at an award-winning winery in Gibbston.

The Winehouse is the venue for eight of New Zealand music's finest on every second Sunday from January 15 until April 1 for its inaugural Summer Playground series of concerts. It was intended to make the series an annual fixture.

Audiences will be treated to exclusive performances by Greg Johnson (January 15), Barry Saunders and Lindon Puffin (January 29), Jason Kerrison (February 12), Hollie Smith (March 4), Anika Moa (March 18) plus Julia Deans and Seth Haapu (April 1). Only Moa has played at the Winehouse before.

Asked why the artists were chosen, restaurant manager Ben Owens said this week: "We thought they were very complementary to what the Winehouse is. It's that sense of relaxed ambience and a sense of coming home.

"These artists bring that feeling because they are all established New Zealand acts."

Tickets, which are strictly limited, cost $45 per gig and are available from Quest in Queenstown and Wanaka, the Arrowtown Information Centre or via the Eventfinder website.