Melbourne's leading wine media and trade were exposed to a sold out Bounty of the Bay masterclass held on Monday and their Brisbane counterparts are clamouring for places at another exclusive class in their city this coming Monday (February 27).

Grant Edmonds of Sileni Estates and Stephen Daysh, owner of Bridge Pa Vineyard guided the masterclass through a specially selected range of wines from Hawke's Bay producers that aimed to show what made Hawke's Bay one of the most special wine regions in the world.

The Melbourne masterclass, held in conjunction with NZWinegrowers' NZ in a Glass exhibition, was limited to 40 attendees and had sold out within three days. Present was a good mix of trade from both small independent retailers, large retailers including Coles and Dan Murphy's, plus restaurateurs.

Each Hawke's Bay winery exhibiting put forward one full bodied red wine that they felt told the Hawke's Bay's story the best, and another wine they felt would show the full potential and diversity of Hawke's Bay.

"Feedback from our locals on the ground in Melbourne indicates that the trade were impressed with the overall standard of the wines and the diversity of varietals from Hawke's Bay," says Lyn Bevin, Hawke's Bay Winegrowers Inc Executive Officer. "They noted that there weren't any Sauvignon Blanc amongst the line up and that excited them.

"Many have since requested tasting notes and more follow up information, so that's exciting for us."

Wines presented were:

Moana Park Reserve Viognier 2011

Sileni Estate Selection "The Lodge" Hawke's Bay Chardonnay

Mission Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2010

Sileni Estate Selection "The Triangle" Hawke's Bay Merlot 2009

Elephant Hill Reserve Tempranillo 2009 Moana Park Reserve Syrah 2010

Elephant Hill Estate Syrah 2009

Mission Estate Reserve Syrah 2009

Trinity Hill "The Homage" Syrah 2009

Bridge Pa Vineyards "Louis" Syrah 2007

Bridge Pa Vineyards "Louis" Syrah 2006

Trinity Hill "The Gimblett" 2008