Global wine auction coming to Queenstown

A major auction of some of the world's best wines is coming to Queenstown in October, with many of the wines being local.

The auction will run over Labour Weekend (October 25 to 27) and involve approximately 300 auction lots with individual bottles of wine expected to sell for up to $50,000.

Headquartered at The Rees Hotel, collectors from all over the world are being invited with many of the local varieties being auctioned for charity.

Blair Walter, of Felton Road and a trustee of the Central Otago Pinot Noir Charitable Trust, told Crux at the launch event in Queenstown today that many local producers had saved some of their best and most prized vintages for the auction.

Blair Walter, a trustee of the Central Otago Pinot Noir Charitable Trust

"We've been going for 20 years now and have raised over $350,000 for charity. This event should take us to a whole different level."

The trust's donations have mainly gone towards medical and rescue operations, including local rescue helicopter services.

Reece Warren will be the auctioneer for the event and he expects some of the world's top wine collectors to be in Queenstown.

The wines on offer will be a mix of local and overseas but they will all be rare or special in their own categories.

Central Otago is reputed to be the world's most geographically remote wine producing area and the wine auction is expected to reinforce the district's reputation not just for fine wine, but for great food and hospitality as well.