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Craggy Range
Becoming one of 12 Great Wine Capitals of the world will significantly boost the post-cyclone recover of Hawke's Bay, says Hamish Saxton, Chief Executive of Hawke's Bay Tourism.
"It is recognition of that Hawke's Bay wines are among the world's best, and that our nation's wine growing industry, while still young, offers quality to rival the world's oldest."
The region became part of the Great Wine Capital Global Network in late May, joining the likes of Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Bilbao, and Adelaide. The bid was led by Hawke's Bay Tourism on behalf of a working group that also included Hawke's Bay Winegrowers (HBWG), Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, Hawke's Bay Airport and EIT/Te Pūkenga.
"Cyclone Gabrielle may have dealt us a blow, but this recognition shows that Hawke's Bay is still the top-quality wine destination it always was," Hamish says. "The accolade will further increase Hawke's Bay's global recognition and will give it access to additional expertise, resources, and support from the best of the global wine and tourism industries."
President of the Adelaide, South Australia Great Wine Capitals Steering Committee, Jo Collins, says a region has to possess something truly "great" to be a member of the network. "We are thrilled to welcome Hawke's Bay and the twin cities of Napier and Hastings to our esteemed network. The quality of the wines from this region, their international recognition and unwavering commitment to excellence in grape and wine production, sustainable tourism and education was evident and saw them unanimously voted in by our existing 11 network members."
Members of the network do not see themselves as competitors, "but rather working together with a spirit of cooperation to support and learn from each other through common challenges and opportunities", she says. "And importantly continuing to lift the bar in terms of the global wine and tourism offering."
The wine industry generates an estimated $300 million direct revenue to the Hawke's Bay economy and contributes $156m to gross domestic product. HBWG Chair Sally Duncan says the passion and persistance of Hawke's Bay's wine community "and this special place at the bottom of the world, propelled Hawke's Bay to sit alongside the best in the world".
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