Tasty launch marks harvest

by Sonia Beal
Marlborough Express - 8 March 2013

Brancott Estate hosted about 60 people for an evening of indulgence at its Heritage Trust Centre near Blenheim last night.

Guests at the exclusive dinner, which featured entertainment from singer Hayley Westenra, were the first in the country to sample the limited-edition Chosen Rows sauvignon blanc, of which only 1500 bottles are available to buy in New Zealand.

The release was timed to coincide with the beginning of Marlborough's grape harvest.

Guests were welcomed on arrival with a glass of Brancott Estate Brut Cuvee before enjoying some of Marlborough's finest wine and food, including a three-course dinner by chef Sander de Wildt matched with wines from the Brancott Estate Letter Series.

Westenra put on a powerful performance with renditions of songs from the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Eva Cassidy to Pokarekare Ana and I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.

While some guests were brought to tears, others sat back and simply soaked up the ambience and sound as they indulged in the fine wine and exquisite food.

Arnaud Sabard, Hayley Westenra, Patrick Materman, Cathy McKeown © Marlborough Express