Over 150 wine enthusiasts flocked
to the stunning Ascension Wine Estate in Matakana on 9 May for Warkworth Rotary
Club’s Raise A Glass Wine Tasting and Charity Auction.
The wine tasting from 3pm
to 5pm gave attendees the opportunity to sample wines from more than 12 local
wine growers before an exciting auction from 5.30pm.
Over 27 wine and non-wine
action items went under the hammer on the night giving bidders the chance to
battle it out for “one of a kind” or “last ever” bottles of wine and special
experiences.
Top selling items on the
night included a catered excursion on the Mahurangi River for up to 50 people
which went for $2,650 and 3 bottles of 2010 Larose from Stonyridge Vineyard that
sold for $1,050.
Warkworth Rotary Club
president, Robin Dixon says the team was thrilled with the event which would
not have been possible without the support of the local community.
“From our generous
sponsors, Withers & Co, Webster Malcolm Law and New World Warkworth, to all
of the wineries and organisations that donated fantastic auction items or came
to sample wine at the event, we are incredibly grateful,” says Dixon. “We were
so pleased to have so many people get behind the event and help make it a
success with great money raised for our charity recipient.”
The event raised a much appreciated $10,000 for the Well Foundation,
which is the official fundraising body of Waitemata District Health Board. The foundation
will put the money towards a new $195,000 mobile health clinic which will
visit early childhood centres, schools, community events, and many other
communal areas within the Waitemata district right out to Kaukapakapa and
Helensville.
The mobile clinic is focused on doing ear checks, general health
check-ups, throat swabbing as part of the Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme,
and providing instant treatment where possible. Without this mobile service,
many would miss out on getting the health care they need, often only ending up
in hospital when their problem develops into something more serious.
Raise A Glass will return next year in May and with the organising
committee already focused on planning, it promises to be bigger and better in
2016.
To be the first to know when tickets go on sale and keep up with new
announcements, like the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RaiseAGlassMatakana.
