Pinot Noir makers donate $25,000 to Otago Community Hospice Service in Central

The donation arrived during Hospice Awareness Week, which is the Hospice’s largest fundraising push of the year.

Every year Central Otago Winegrowers combine to produce a Central Otago Cuvée – and this year that will happen again, using the 2018 vintage.

Futures on the Celebration Cuvee were sold at the highly successful auction held at the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration on 28th January. The auction was conducted on behalf of the Central Otago Pinot Noir Charitable Trust. The Celebration included a series of tastings and workshops by well-known winemakers and pinot noir experts with delegates attending from all round the world. The event concluded with the auction which drew a fantastic response from both New Zealand and overseas bidders.

Crowe Horwath Partner and charity Chairman Alistair King says that the conference makes a significant amount every year through the auction and this year the Otago Community Hospice was their chosen charity.

Alistair King said, “We should feel proud of our region’s wine producers who rally together to support local community groups. Otago Community Hospice has a serious need for funding and the Trust is delighted to support them. We would also like to thank our sponsors who helped make the 2018 Celebration and auction an absolute success”.

Otago Community Hospice CEO Ginny Green described the contribution as significant at a time that use of Hospice services in the Central Otago region are growing.

“In Central Otago, we are seeing quite some growth in the use of our service. Our team of palliative specialists based in Cromwell are perfectly placed to deliver the wrap-around care that our Hospice service is renowned for. Our team on the ground cover Wanaka, Cromwell and Alexandra – and all the surround areas. Last year alone they covered some 90,000 kms delivering this service.

This contribution is a wonderful and significant surprise, and is perfectly timed with our Hospice Awareness Week.”