The prospect of warm weather and the lure of Hawke’s Bay fine wines has seen international wine media clamouring to be part of several red wine events organised for next week.

Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers’ Lyn Bevin says she has received some “desperate” emails and calls from around the world, despite the fact the New Zealand Cabernet Merlot Forum on January 29 and the New Zealand Syrah Symposium on January 30 are already sold out.

However, Ms Bevin says HB Winegrowers has risen to the challenge of finding room for 10 more international guests.

“Obviously we want to accommodate these wine media  as they have potential to influence wine consumers around the world to try and buy our wines,” she says.

“As a consequence, the attendees list of international buyers and commentators to attend the events is stellar.

“We are now accommodating 130 people at each event and two thirds of them are travelling here from around New Zealand or the world.  It is a tight fit but we’re really excited about the opportunity these events will provide for sharing Hawke’s Bay’s ability to produce world class red wines.”

More details on the national events at www.cabernetmerlotforum.co.nz and www.syrahsymposium.co.nz.

(Pictured: Hawke's Bay-grown wines - both red and white - are gathering increasing international attention).