Bigger Grape Debate hopes to raise big bucks for chopper

Tommy Millions, of Wellington, with Hannah and Greg Schicker, of Taradale, at the Colliers International Grape Debate. Photo/Duncan Brown

A larger crowd at last night's Grape Debate is hoped to have raised more than $30,000 for charity.

The fourth annual Colliers International Grape Debate was held Te Awa Winery with comedian Jeremy Corbett moderating the argument.

Rival teams from Australia and New Zealand battled it out to decide which country makes better wines to raise money for the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter.

Organiser Bex Tacon said 300 people attended the sellout event which had been capped at 250 in previous years.

"We got a bigger marquee this year and hope to raise more money."

Having Corbett back to moderate again was amazing and the long-running Australia-New Zealand feud made for a fun night, she said.

The Australian team had an unlucky journey with each of their planes being delayed and two of them getting their luggage lost by their airlines.

Last night's fundraiser was a success and continued to improve each year, she said.

"It gets bigger and better every year which is really exciting."

The auction was also popular with some coveted items up for grabs including a Rolling Stones signed guitar, a Bruce Springsteen signed guitar, a Pink microphone and a set of two framed basketball singlets signed by Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

Last year a guitar signed by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr went for $14,000.

For team New Zealand, Kim Crawford of Loveblock Wines, Tony Bish of Tony Bish Wines, and Richard Painter of Te Awa Winery took to the stage.

The Aussies were made up of Jane Ferrari of Yalumba, Gwyneth Olsen of Pepper Tree Wines and Alexia Roberts of Penny Hill Wines.

The Colliers International Grape Debates have been running for four years in Hawke's Bay, two years in Marlborough, and the event is expanding to Central Otago for the first time this year.

Since starting, the events have raised more than $70,000 for charities.