The Raglan Vine team

Deb and Carlene dreamed up the Wine festival event while sitting on the deck and sharing a bevy in 2024. Deb, the former Creative Market coordinator for The Raglan Community Arts Council, and Carlene, a wine merchant and consultant, called on Brian for his IT and marketing smarts. Together they designed a blueprint for the first festival which has grown into a series of events.

Carlene explained, “We’re aiming to make wine a bit more accessible and interesting to people. The whole kaupapa is that it shouldn’t be an elitist thing, it should be one of life’s pleasures. Making people feel comfortable with it is part of that.”.

Vendors share their wisdom at all events in helping demystify wine. The Raglan Vine team expect event attendees will gain unique insights into the artistry behind each vineyard.

Ticket holders are entitled to 30ml tastings from a variety of vendors. There are also wine sales with special discounts. Raglan residents don’t have to look far to find the latest in winemaking with Barrelled Wines offering a taste of their range of small batch artisan wines from vines that were planted in 2018. 

Alongside the wine you’ll find spirits vendors, especially Gin, Vodka and Rum, plus Spritzers.

Brian says, “We are bringing our complementary skills to what we are calling ‘flavours of nations’ to showcase local and international options for wine, spirits, music and food.”