Star auctioneer for a good cause

Michael Boulgaris will be the auctioneer for the 2015 Hawke's Bay charity wine auction

Organisers of New Zealand's oldest and most prestigious charity wine auction have secured the talents of Michael Boulgaris as their 2015 auctioneer.

Mr Boulgaris is a household name in luxury Auckland real estate, yet to the rest of New Zealand, he is the smooth-talking star from the TV series, Location, Location, Location.

"I feel privileged and am very much looking forward to contributing my time and expertise towards the Hawke's Bay Wine Auction for Cranford Hospice," Mr Boulgaris said.

While he does enjoy a fine wine, he said his palate changed with every decade.

"I've experienced a couple of the local vineyards and was in fact introduced to my first Hawke's Bay chardonnay at Elephant Hill three years ago. Of course now I'm hooked," he said.

One of the most eagerly awaited auction lots is a painting which Napier-based Martin Poppelwell, one of New Zealand's most in-demand artists, has produced.

In addition to the painting, another 40 lots are being donated to the event, including rare, one-off wines from some of the most prestigious wineries in New Zealand.

The Hawke's Bay Winegrowers Charity Fine Wine Auction raised more than $100,000 for Cranford Hospice in 2014.

Tickets for the November 14 event are available from the website:
hawkesbaywineauction.co.nz