When Gisborne local Kim Browning moved to town with her family at the end of January, she struggled to find the right local group to help her make friends, so she created her own: Gisborne Wine, Cheese and Conversation.
“There was a big gap, we [took on] over 100 [Facebook] members in two days…that was just Gisborne itself,” Ms Browning said.
Ms Browning said she’s keen to partner with local wineries and producers to showcase the best of the region, and can’t wait to dive into learning more alongside others about the cool climate varieties the ranges has on offer.
“You can talk about the wine, if you want to, because you’ve got a common point of interest you can learn something from other people,” Ms Browning said.
“But it’s also an icebreaker… that’s the hard thing about breaking into a new community, finding something in common.
“If you start with wine or cheese in common, then you get to open up and lead into other things.”
The group’s first gathering is happening at Barringo Food and Wine in New Gisborne on Friday, July 8.
The group is open to everyone and anyone too.
“It’s from wine buffs up to, ‘I’ve never drunk wine, tell me all about it’. The more the merrier, it’s just about socialisation over a nice glass of wine,” Ms Browning said.
“And if you don’t drink wine, still come along anway.”
Details: www.facebook.com/groups/870582320483390.
Elsie Lange
