Gisborne's rebranded Weekend of Wine and Food at Labour Weekend was a brilliant success for the wineries that were fortunate to have regular bus services but disappointing for those who did not, participants say.
A new book, launched in style with a Hawke's Bay Winegrowers' function held at the Mission, salutes the vineyards, wineries and people that make up the 166-year history of the region's people, vineyards and wineries.
While many tear their hair out over vexatious problems like botrytis, powdery mildew and achieving nil-residue in wine, Gisborne's Trevor Lupton regards such things as challenges.
The answer if you accept the OIV figures published in the latest edition of The Oxford Companion to Wine (OCW) is Luxembourg, with a cheerful wine consumption of 60.7 litres per capita in 2012.