Press
World Championship Recognised as Personality of the Year – Latest press release!!!!
- Gerard Basset – The World’s Best Sommelier Wins IWC Award
We have pleasure in announcing that Gerard Basset MS, MW, who this year won the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) World’s Best Sommelier Competition, has now been awarded the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Personality of the Year.
It’s been an absolutely incredible year for Gerard and Hotel TerraVina in the New Forest. This year alone has seen Gerard win the World’s Champion Sommelier Competition in Chile, Cateys Special Award (the Oscars of the hospitality industry) for his contribution to the hospitality industry and now he’s also been recognised as the IWC Personality of the Year!
French-born Basset, one of the co-founders of the successful Hotel du Vin chain has the distinction of being the only person in the world who is a Master of Wine, Master Sommelier and who has the Wine MBA. He moved to England, 27 years ago, becoming Head Sommelier at Chewton Glen, the Michelin-starred hotel in Hampshire. In 1989 he won UK Sommelier of the year. 1992 he won the Best International Sommelier for French Wines (Paris). In 1996 he won the Best Sommelier of Europe and in 1998, he qualified as a Master of Wine
Gerard says “I continue to be delighted and completely overwhelmed to have been recognised in this way – it’s just incredible, 2010 is proving to be a very good year!” he joked.
Gerard goes on to say “As ever I would like to thank my wife, Nina and my son Romane for their love, support and sometimes extreme patience with me!”
Nina says “I am so very proud of my husband and his achievements – his dedication to wine and the hospitality industry is incredible. This is another massive achievement for him”.
Earlier this year, Hotel TerraVina (which Gerard and Nina own and run in the New Forest) also won the Academy of Food & Wine’s 2010 Gastronomy Team of the Year after an exciting ‘cook & serve’ final at London’s Westminster Kingsway College.
Nina says of 2010, “WOW! I just don’t know what to say – it’s truly remarkable what Gerard and the hotel have achieved this year. I’m completely bursting with pride for Gerard – and everybody associated with Hotel TerraVina.”
Editors Notes:-
If you would be like to interview the team from Hotel TerraVina, have access to photographs or to visit Hotel TerraVina please contact Darren Northeast (working on behalf of Hotel TerraVina) on 01202 676762 or by email to darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.
For more information about Hotel TerraVina please visit www.hotelterravina.co.uk or call 02380 293 784 of follow them on Facebook, Twitter or their weekly Blog.
Press release January 2010
The Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat with Hotel TerraVina
Looking for the ultimate romantic Valentine’s Day gift? Then look no further than luxurious boutique hotel, TerraVina. Nestled in the romantic setting of the New Forest, this hotel which oozes sophistication and charm is offering irresistible Valentine’s Day packages that are guaranteed to provide a memorable and romantic experience.
Voted in Conde Nast’s Hottest New Hotel List (2008), this hotel has quickly become known for its impeccable service, impressive wine cellar and for its pure gourmet delight. TerraVina will be offering a delicious five course Valentine’s Day feast specially prepared from their Californian style contemporary ‘open kitchen.’
Nina Basset, co-owner of TerraVina commented, “Our menu, using the freshest local produce, has been designed to provide a culinary pleasure to tantalize the taste-buds and heighten that sparkle of romance.”
By popular demand, in the run up to Valentine’s Day, the hotel will also be offering a ‘Valentine’s Day Tasting Menu. Gerard Basset, co-owner of Hotel TerraVina and international award winning sommelier explained, “Wine will accompany each course, these have been carefully matched to compliment the food and also to add a flirtatious ‘va va voom’ into the evening!”
Awarded a Cesar in the Good Hotel Guide (2009) as one of the Top Ten Hotels in Britain, TerraVina is the perfect place to cozy up and spend the most romantic night of the year in. Each of their eleven rooms hold their own contemporary charm and seven boost large outside terraced areas.
TerraVina is offering two naughty overnight packages to choose from:
‘Spoil Me’ offers incurable romantics the traditional indulgences – the best room (at the time of booking), rose champagne on arrival, chocolates, flowers, the Valentine’s Tasting menu with wine to compliment each course and a full English breakfast (champagne an optional extra).
‘Stay with me…face to face’ promises to be a unique romantic experience. It includes the best accommodation (available at the time of booking), rose champagne on arrival, a romantic Valentine’s dinner with unrestricted choice from the a la carte menu and a decadent champagne breakfast. On top of this, animal lovers are invited to have a ‘face to face’ experience at Marwell Wildlife park with one of their rare and endangered animals. Nina commented, “After we adopted a red panda at Marwell, TerraVina were given a unique opportunity to offer our guests an incredible experience of being able to talk with the park keepers, feed the animals and go behind the scenes.”
Hotel TerraVina are also offering an exclusive range of unique TerraVina label Valentine’s Day gifts. For a limited period their internationally renowned signature dogstops: Sayra;, Muscat; Merlot and Pinot can be ordered 10 times their usual size.
Alternatively, why not express your love, appreciation and treat someone special to a TerraVina wine box containing 3 speciality, selected romantic wines or choose something with a sparkle from their bespoke range of contemporary TerraVina jewellery.
To book one of their Valentine’s Day packages, view their menu or order one of their luxury gifts, log onto www.hotelterravina.co.uk, or call 02380 293 784.
For more information please contact Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR, working on behalf of Hotel TerraVina on Tel. 01202 676762 or Email: darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.
Press release issued November 2009
Hotel Launches Exclusive Jewellery Range
Hotel TerraVina, located in the heart of the New Forest, is very proud to announce a strategic partnership with a locally based jewellery designer, Gem Freeman. Gem will be supplying the hotel with a bespoke and hand-made range of exclusive jewellery for display at the hotel and on the company website.
The relationship has been established after Nina Basset, co-owner of Hotel TerraVina, met with Gem and spotted the potential of having a specially designed range for the hotel.
The jewellery that Gem has prepared includes a specifically commissioned grape vine leaf and twig necklace, as well as a jewellery set based on the hotel’s mascot – a candy striped puppy dog door-stop.
The jewellery will be exclusively launched at an event in November to be hosted at the hotel, whereby the range will be show-cased and available to purchase.
Nina says of the jewellery, “It’s fabulous, and I’m very excited about it being exclusive to the hotel. Gem really has embodied the essence of our location in the New Forest, as well as portraying the general ambience that we endeavour to capture here at Hotel TerraVina. A couple of pieces have already caught my eye, so I will be placing my order with Gem shortly – all in the name of research of course!!”
Nina goes on to say that the hotel likes to support up and coming artists and work with local organisations to the New Forest, “as we’re all here to help and support each other where possible.”
Gem says of her jewellery being showcased at the hotel, “This is a fantastic opportunity for me and my work. I’m very grateful to Nina and her husband Gerard for allowing me to show-case a bespoke collection of my work, and promote my pieces. I’m extremely proud of the range I’ve created for Hotel TerraVina, I think the jewellery looks perfect and complements the hotel’s ethos and captures the spirit of visiting the hotel.”
The full range of jewellery can be viewed on the hotel website, www.hotelterravina.co.uk or by visiting the hotel in the New Forest.
For more information, additional photography or to interview Nina Basset or Gem Freeman please contact Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR, working on behalf of Hotel TerraVina on Tel. 01202 676762 or Email darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.
For more information about Hotel TerraVina please visit www.hotelterravina.co.uk or call 02380 293 784.
Press release issued January 2010
Lunch and Learn in 2010
- Hotel TerraVina announce the launch of their 2010 Lunch Events Programme
Based in the very heart of the New Forest, award winning, Hotel TerraVina, are very pleased to announce the launch of their Lunch Events Programme for 2010.
The idea for the programme of events is that of Mandy Pearce, who looks after Business Development at the hotel. Mandy says “We are always thrilled to welcome back so many regular guests to the hotel, but we wanted to launch something special in 2010, that will encourage even more people to visit TerraVina and that’s why we developed the Lunch Events Programme. The lunch events have been designed to be interesting, informative and on topics that most people have an interest in – as well as enjoy the delights of our food and wine that we serve at the hotel”.
The theme running through-out the Programme is ‘discovering the secrets of a healthy mind, body and soul’ with the presentations and talks emphasising how to look good and feel great. The talks already planned, and on offer include –
- Slim Focus – looking at why people must stop dieting and how to release ones hidden blocks to a slim body
- Aloe Products – the benefits and healing properties of Aloe Vera – and how it can dramatically change peoples lives (as well as their animals!)
- Floral Enchantment – looking at the healing properties of flowers and how different flowers can help speed up the recovery process after ill health
- Health Advice – with an emphasis on organic treatments and natural therapies
- Focus on You – demonstration on how different glasses can enhance your appearance and dramatically alter the shape of your face. If you’re having to wear glasses for the first time, or are thinking about changing your frames you cannot miss this demonstration!
Mandy goes on to say, “We’re very pleased with the speakers we’ve selected for our Lunch Events Programme, there is so much out there to learn.”
With the combination of a tasty lunch, great wine (as selected by Gerard Basset, one the UK’s leading Sommeliers and his wine team) and a superb range of topics TerraVina is ideal if you’re looking to treat yourself to something a bit different for lunch.
Events start on Wednesday 27th January at 12.00, with Karen Guttridge from Slim Focus. Costs include a two course winter lunch with an after lunch talk for £25 per person which includes a glass of wine plus tea or coffee and home-made petit fours.
Booking is essential, so please telephone the hotel on 02380 293 784 to make a reservation.
Editors Notes:-
If you’re a Journalist and you would be interested in attending one of the forthcoming lunches at Hotel TerraVina please contact Darren Northeast (working on behalf of Hotel TerraVina) on 01202 676762 or by email to darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.
Forthcoming lunch topics and dates are as follows –
Wednesday 27th January – Karen Guttridge – Slim Focus
Wednesday 24th February – Diane Moore – The Healing Properties of Aloe Vera
Thursday 25th March – Linda Lemmon – Floral Enhancement
Thursday 22nd April – Dinah Smith – Positive Health Naturally
Thursday 27th May – Christine Etheridge – Focus On You
Thursday 24th June – Derek Palmer – Hypnotherapy Secret Revealed
For more information please contact Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR on Tel. 01202 676762 or email darren@spiralmpr.co.uk
For more information about Hotel TerraVina please visit www.hotelterravina.co.uk or call 02380 293 784.
Press release issued November 2009
Spiral MPR announces prestigious account
The Dorset based marketing public relations agency, Spiral MPR has recently secured a prominent and high profile new account, representing Hotel TerraVina, a luxurious boutique hotel situated in the heart of the New Forest.
Hotel TerraVina opened its doors to the public in 2007 amidst rave reviews, a year later it was featured in Conde Nast’s 65 Hottest Newly Opened Hotels in the World (2008). It should come as no surprise given the formidable credentials of husband and wife owners Nina and Gerard Basset. Gerard is an internationally recognised wine expert and founder of the Hotel du Vin Group. Nina was one of the youngest Hotel Inspectors for AA Guides by the time she was twenty two and later went onto work for Michelin stared Chewton Glen as Hotel Manager where she met Gerard.
Darren Northeast, Principal of Spiral MPR enthused, “I am delighted to be working together with Nina and Gerard Basset, owners of Hotel TerraVina. It is such a prestigious account. We are already in discussions about implementing some very exciting and unique ideas to raise the profile of the hotel further. I am also thrilled to be representing Gerard who has recently been selected to represent the UK in the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, World’s Best Sommelier Competition.” The event will be held in Chile in 2010.
So how did a local marketing and public relations agency draw in such an exclusive client? Co-owner of the hotel, Nina Basset commented, “One of the TerraVina’s aims is to use local products and services where possible and Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR came highly recommended to us.” Nina went on to explain, “we are very lucky, Dorset has a wealth of excellent quality products and services available, why would we need to look further a field?” Much of their organic food produce and signature gifts have been sourced from New Forest suppliers. More recently a bespoke and handmade jewellery range has been created by local designer, Gemma Freeman exclusively for the hotel.
Hotel TerraVina is the perfect place if you are looking to impress someone or to spoil yourself or someone else this winter.
For more information please contact Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR, working on behalf of Hotel TerraVina on Tel. 01202 676762 or Email darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.
For more information about Hotel TerraVina please visit www.hotelterravina.co.uk or call 02380 293 784.
