Successful fine wine auction adds $100K to hospice tally

Former Napier MP and charity auctioneer Chris Tremain accepts a bid during the Hawke's Bay Winegrowers Charity Fine Wine Auction at the Hawke's Bay Racing Centre in Hastings on Saturday. Photo / Glenn Taylor

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

Organisers said the newly formatted auction, held for the first time at Hawke's Bay Racing's Cheval Rooms on Saturday, was a success, with auction lots including many blends from the "great" 2013 vintage, being well received.

The event's auctioneer was former Napier MP Chris Tremain.

Stand-out lots included a 225 litre barrique from Bridge Pa Triangle Wine District which sold for $8100 and a quarter barrique from Patron's Blend which sold for $5000.

Other items to sell well were a large Hawke's Bay landscape painting by artist Freeman White which sold for $8200 and the Vanuatu holiday package that went for $5000.

Cranford Hospice general manager Helen Blaxland said it was great to see the Hawke's Bay community, including many businesses, give so generously to the afternoon.

She said the proceeds would help the organisation continue to assist local families by providing free end-of-life care.

The auction is in its 23rd year, and proceeds from Saturday's fundraiser have pushed the total amount the charity wine auction has raised beyond $2.5 million for Cranford Hospice.