Palliser’s annual dig-out challenge had some star attractions this week with Victor Vito & Ardie Savea from the Hurricanes joining the competition.
The dig-out challenge was started about 5 years ago to make the job of digging out the pinot noir skins from the tank a bit more fun. The “dig-out” occurs after the tank of around 7 tonnes of Pinot noir has finished fermenting, the wine has been drained out to another tank & all that then remains is the skins which needs removing so it can be placed in the press for the remaining wine to be recovered. As is usually the case everyone’s competitive spirit comes to the fore & generally people are lining up to jump in the tank to dig out faster than the last.
Palliser has been one of the sponsors of the Hurricanes over the last 2 seasons & hence the idea of a Hurricane joining in the challenge was borne. Last year Beuden Barrett took on the challenge in fine form although didn’t manage to beat our resident champ Tom Howard. This year the Hurricanes sent the forward big guns (literally!), Victor & Ardie who continued the tradition of being great sports & fantastic ambassadors for the Hurricanes.
This year we set up a head-to-head relay of the 2 Hurricanes against 2 of our best – Tom, still our reigning champ & Francois from France (both from the leading Night team I might add!), each team having to dig-out one tank. Local knowledge and technique (added to the fact Richard hijacked it somewhat in our favour) persevered over brawn & pure strength with the Palliser team finishing first. Victor & Ardie finished their tank in style, looking great while doing it & getting a pretty good work out on their day-off. It was suggested it would be a fun training outing for the Hurricanes next year which I personally think is a fantastic idea.
Victor & Ardie then happily spent time with all the spectators and children, signing autographs, posing for photos & generally winning over more fans.
It was a pleasure to have them & look forward to them returning next year to better their times – go the ‘Canes!
