Food and wine festival set for Smales

French champagne, wood-smoked barbecue and smooth tunes will be on offer at a festival debuting in Takapuna next week.

The inaugural Takapuna Food, Wine and Music Festival will be held at Smales Farm on February 10, restricted to those 20 and older.

Festival director Adam Bennett said the concept for the event combined the best of traditional food and wine festivals, and music events, to produce a new experience of both.

‘‘By fusing a strong music festival line-up with the chance to enjoy award-winning wine from Waiheke, Kumeu, Marlborough, Queenstown, French champagnes, top local craft breweries, and premium cuisine providers, we can truly deliver a new and sophisticated event we know Aucklanders will love,’’ Bennett said.

‘‘The general community have been right behind it and so many locals are attending.

‘‘Ever since the Devonport Food and Wine Festival finished, the Shore has been missing an event like this.’’

The day-long event is expected to attract a crowd of 4000 people to Smales Farm, which was chosen for a location because of the open green spaces, parking and transport options, and proximity to the city.

The festival will feature wines from vineyards such as Waiheke Island’s iconic Man O’ War and Otago’s NZ Rose, and beers such as those from Hallertau Brewery and Silverdale’s Deep Creek

‘‘The Shore has been missing an event like this.’’

Adam Bennett

Brewery.

Popular Ponsonby restaurant Miss Moonshines will offer up a Kiwi twist on traditional American BBQ fare.

Urban Escargot, Black Stag Deli, Puha & Pakeha, and Wise Boys Burgers are some of the other food vendors attending on the day.

Among the musical acts performing are Australian group Sneaky Sound System, Kiwi band Sola Rosa, and Jordan Luck Band, the new project of Jordan Luck of The Exponents.

Kiwi jazz favourite Nathan Haines has been forced to pull out of the event after having a cancerous tumour removed from his throat in December.

Bennett said there would be a fundraising effort for Haines at the festival.

The VIP tickets for the event, which retailed at $110 each, have already sold out. General admission tickets are still available for $55.

SUPPLIED The inaugural Takapuna Food, Wine and Musical Festival will be held on February 10.