Premium Amisfield wines to be showcased at international event in Venice, Italy

Premium Amisfield wines to be showcased at international event in Venice, Italy

27 May 2014, 2:46PM
Southern Public Relations Limited

Celebrated New Zealand wine producer Amisfield will showcase a premium selection of its wines to a select international audience at the prestigious 14th Venice Architecture Biennale.

The specialist producer of multi-award-winning Pinot Noir and aromatic white wines will be the exclusive wine sponsor and supplier to the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) exhibition at the Biennale from June 5 to November 23.

Amisfield wines, sourced from fruit grown on its estate vineyard beneath the Pisa Mountain range in the renowned Central Otago region, will be served during the official opening events and associated events for the duration of the Biennale at the New Zealand exhibition, to be staged in the Palazzo Pisani Santa Marina.

It is the first time New Zealand will present a national exhibition at the world’s foremost architecture event which is the leading forum for the exploration of architectural ideas, and the pre-eminent showcase for building design.

“This is a unique opportunity to partner with the New Zealand Institute of Architects and their inaugural ‘Last, Loneliest, Loveliest’ exhibition, and it was a privilege to accept the invitation,” said Amisfield CEO Craig Erasmus.

“Architecture and the importance of design has always been a very strong element of our brand.

“In 2012, 55 countries took part in the event which attracted 180,000 visitors and 3,000 accredited media, so we’re pleased to be in Venice this year for an event which will help us achieve unprecedented international exposure for our global brand.”

Tony van Raat, Commissioner of the New Zealand Exhibition, said he was delighted Amisfield was supporting New Zealand's participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale.

"This is a great opportunity to put New Zealand as well as New Zealand architecture on the world stage, and we're glad that an outstanding company like Amisfield sees the Biennale as a wonderful opportunity to present itself at a prestigious international forum,” he said.

Architecture and Amisfield

The Amisfield Cellar Door & Bistro building
Built in 2002, Amisfield’s Cellar Door & Bistro overlooking Lake Hayes near Queenstown, was designed by leading architectural firm Warren and Mahoney. This three-storey building incorporates 1,500 tonnes of Glenorchy schist with the interior design based around hefty beams salvaged from a bridge being demolished in the southern part of the region. Taking two years to construct, the building houses a wine cellar in the basement, the Cellar Door and Bistro on the ground level, and offices on the third.


The Amisfield Cellar Door & Bistro building.  Credit: Shantanu Starick.
The Amisfield Cellar Door & Bistro building.  Credit: Shantanu Starick.


The Amisfield Winery building
Built in 2006, Amisfield’s Winery is hunkered into the foothills below the Pisa mountain rage in the middle of the Estate vineyard. Designed by Christchurch architect Charlie Nott and built of concrete and COR-TEN steel, this building houses Amisfield’s state-of-the-art gravity fed Pinot Noir winery. The long roof line matches the fall of the surrounding hills, while native plantings ground the building amongst the surrounding Estate vineyards.


The Amisfield Winery building.  Credit: Shantanu Starick.
The Amisfield Winery building.  Credit: Shantanu Starick.


For further information on the New Zealand Exhibition, Venice Architecture Biennale 2014 go to: http://venice.nzia.co.nz/

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