Highfield Media Releases

Highfield Estate was filled with finery on Friday, as 100 guests celebrated the 10th anniversary of the estate’s tower at a black tie ball.

Sir Michael Fowler, the architect behind the creation, was there to toast the Tuscan inspired tower, which has become something of an icon in Marlborough, with its 360 degree view.

So was Marlborough Winegrowers chairman and Highfield Viticulturist Owen Glover, who in a poem/speech for the tower gave Highfield folk Tolkien characters, so that Middle Earth came to Marlborough.

Sir Michael became Michael the Grey, while Highfield managing director David Direen, aka Dolum, hissed “ssstick to the budget, my precioussss, you must”. “At last, so weary, so tied and so munted/ They found a site which was just what they wanted/ So a Tuscan tower now proudly stands/ On a hill at Highfield looking over the lands.”

A number of international guests as well as people from throughout New Zealand attended the ball, where guests were entertained by a barbershop quartet.

Highfield spokeswoman Jo Jalfon said the event was a superb celebration, with “lovely music, lovely wine and fantastic people”