Club toasts with Wine Fest

Five years ago, a small group of wine lovers decided to start a club to share their interest in wines. Now, the Picton Wine Club attracts more than 70 people to its meetings each month and to celebrate its birthday organisers have decided to hold the first Picton Wine Fest.

"Since we started the wine club it's gone from strength to strength and James [Wilson], the co-convener came up with the idea and we thought it was a good one," said committee member Glenys Riggs.

The event, to be held on November 5 at the Mercure Hotel in Picton, has been in the planning stages for the past two months and will feature wines from 18 Marlborough wineries.

Mrs Riggs said having the opportunity to taste the new 2010 vintages and get reacquainted with old favourites was going to be a highlight of the festival.

"To get 18 wineries at the same time to sample their wines is quite an achievement," she said.

Picton singer/songwriter Jordan Skipper will perform at the event and Le Cafe will provide the nibbles, which are chosen to partner each wine.

"We're trying to turn it into a bit of a carnival, a fun event," Mrs Riggs said.

"We're hopeful for quite a few people," said committee member Lorraine Donaldson-Smith.

"It's the beginning of the festive season so hopefully it will get everyone into the spirit of things after a wet winter."

Mrs Riggs, who is one of the founding members of the club, said she was amazed by the different people who came to the club.

"The aim is to enjoy wines, learn a little and have fun and I think we can all say we have learnt something."

Profits from the Picton Wine Fest will be donated to Hospice Marlborough.