This Auckland Winery Is Crowd-Blending Its Next Rosé

West Auckland's The Hunting Lodge is calling on the sniffing, swirling and abilities of the general public to create the perfect rosé for summer.

Participants in the estate's Crowd Blend campaign will receive a blending pack containing three different base wines and one empty bottle to create their own rosé blend. There are no rules and the newly-enlisted winemakers are encouraged to smell, taste and mix to create the perfect rosé.

The three varietals include the "vibrant and generous" Rosé X, which gives notes of fruit salad, banana and orange on the nose; the "fragrant and refined" Rose Y, which offers delicate aromas of strawberries and citrus; plus the "opulent and expressive" Rosé Z, a nose dominant drop giving off whiffs of guava and red berry, with hints of creme brûlée and candy floss on the palate.

A blending card is provided so winemakers can record the percentage of each rosé. Then comes the challenge of naming your blend.

At the end of the campaign, the best blend will then create the profile for The Hunting Lodge's rosé release, with each winemaker's name printed on the bottle. Everyone who participated will also receive a bottle of the winning rosé.

To register for The Hunting Lodge's Crowd Blend and for more information, visit thehuntinglodge.com.