Be sure to bookmark March 20, 2010 to celebrate the region’s food and wine, under ancient trees at the side of the Ruamaunga River. The Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival, in association with Nissan NZ, is fast becoming recognized as a high quality, annual event showcasing sensational wines and food from throughout the Wairarapa region.

The 2010 festival will celebrate the beginning of the grape harvest on Saturday March 20 in the unique, intimate venue at ‘The Cliffs’, the spectacular riverside setting on the banks of the Ruamahunga River in the popular wine growing area of Gladstone’s Dakins Road.

The remoteness and vineyard setting is part of the site’s appeal, however being only 10 minutes from both Masterton and Carterton it is close enough to public transport to make it very accessible to those staying locally and those visiting for the day from outside the region.

The site features dozens of impressive 1000 year old native trees which provide the perfect backdrop for exhibitors. A total of 27 exhibitors, representing 17 of Wairarapa’s finest wineries and 10 of its highest profile restaurants and food producers will be showcasing their wares in 2010. Patrons will have the opportunity to sample wines from not only the larger, better known wineries but also from some of the smaller boutique wineries in the region. In keeping with the informality of the event visitors will also have the opportunity to meet the wine makers from the vineyards involved, giving them an insight into the wide variety and styles of wine available in the region.

The restaurants on the other hand will focus on presenting some of the great local food and produce that the Wairarapa has to offer - Rabbit Pie, Goats Meat Brochette, Ngawi Cod & Crayfish Cakes, Venison Burgers and Wairarapa Wild Pork & Pistachio Terrine are just some of the delicacies that have featured on previous menus.

Tickets go on sale through Ticketek in mid November and while organisers aren’t expecting the five minute sell-out record achieved by its sister event Toast Martinborough, they are so confident of achieving a capacity crowd of 2000 people that there will for the first time be no gate sales available on the day. “For what is still a relatively new event the Harvest Festival has already got a very loyal following and pre ticket sale interest this year has been unprecedented with groups being put together from all over the country” says event manager Liz Pollock. When asked what was so unique about the Harvest Festival she commented “I think that the Harvest Festival offers a relaxed alternative to other events and captures that very unpretentious, community feel of rural events that we grew up with. Of course the fabulous food and wine helps!!”

As in the past, there will be an emphasis on entertainment throughout the day with four live bands, art exhibitions and static displays ensuring that all tastes are catered for.

For further information visit www.wairarapawines.co.nz