Guillaume Brahimi and Craggy Range Wines at Kauri Cliffs – Saturday, May 30, 2009

The series kicks of on Saturday May 30 at Kauri Cliffs Lodge & Golf Course in the Bay of Islands region of New Zealand, when Sydney based chef Guillaume Brahimi teams with Craggy Range Winery’s Steve Smith, M.W. for an indulgent dinner and prestige wine tasting.

Award winning chef Guillaume Brahimi of Guillaume at Bennelong at the Sydney Opera House (3 Stars – Australian Gourmet Traveller 2009 Restaurant Awards) and Bistro Guillaume at Crown Casino Melbourne (Best New Restaurant – The Age Good Food Guide 2009) will prepare a very special dinner at Kauri Cliffs showcasing the French cooking style that has made him one of Australia’s most acclaimed chefs.

Before dinner New Zealand winemaker/viticulturist Steve Smith M.W.  will conduct a tutored tasting of Craggy Range new release Prestige Collection wines (Les  Beaux Cailloux, Le Sol, and more), and will match top Craggy Range wines to each of Guillaume’s five course.

Rick Stein & Trinity Hills Wines at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers – June 6 and 7, 2009

Celebrity seafood chef and international TV star Rick Stein comes to Hawke’s Bay for two nights June 6 & 7 to cook a special dinner match to local Trinity Hills Wines.  The chef from Padstow whose small fish restaurant has grown into an empire will entertain guests with his simple cooking philosophy and tales from his travels around the globe in his quest for simple well sourced food. Trinity Hill winemaker John Hancock will pair Stein’s dishes with the best of his Hawke’s Bay wines.  

Neil Perry & Dry River Wines at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers – September 11-13, 2009

The Neil & Neil Weekend at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is going to be a winner- with Australia’s star chef Neil Perry teaming with winemaker Dr. Neil McCallum whose Dry River Wines have achieved cult status. This two night event kicks off with the new release of the Cape Kidnappers Merlot with Dr. Neil McCallum followed by an a la carte dinner prepared by Cape Kidnappers Executive chef Dale Gartland. Saturday night is the Neil Perry Degustation Dinner with match to Dry River Wines.   

The Great Shiraz Challenge with James Halliday and Bob Campbell, M.W.

The finale to the series is a must for wine lovers – The Great Shiraz Challenge! New Zealand’s top wine guru Bob Campbell, M.W. will take on his rival across the ditch James Halliday as they both field a Shiraz line up from their home country to see who comes out on top. Campbell will challenge with Shiraz from Hawke’s Bay’s famed Gimblett Gravels while Halliday is choosing top examples from the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.

All weekends allow ample free time for guests to enjoy the many leisure options available at these two luxurious properties. World class golf courses, full service Spas, scenic walks or venture further a field for fishing, winery visits, and more, the Winter Wine Weekends offer a range of activities in the one inclusive price.

Commenting on the Winter Food & Wine Events, Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers Managing Director Jay Robertson commented, “We are truly excited to be bringing some of the world’s best chefs and winemakers to New Zealand for these very special weekends. It is a fantastic line-up of talent and combined with golf, spa or just relaxing at the properties, it is really the ultimate New Zealand weekend!”

The price for each weekend is $800NZ per person* (double occupancy) per night and includes luxury accommodation, degustation dinner with matched wines, tutored wine tasting, full breakfast and choice of a round of golf or a 50n minute massage in  the Day Spa.

* two night minimum applies for the Neil & Neil Weekend  

For reservations at Cape Kidnappers phone 64 6 875 1900 or email reservations@capekidnappers.com  

For reservations at Kauri Cliffs phone 64 9 407 0010 or email reservations@kauricliffs.com

More info on www.kauricliffs.com and www.capekidnappers.com