American novelist and filmmaker Rex Pickett, best known for his novel Sideways, which was adapted into a 2004 box office hit of the same name, will be appearing at all three Winetopia events. Rex is currently in New Zealand to write a follow up to Sideways and will be interviewed on the Main stage over a glass of Central Otago Pinot Noir by renowned NZ comedian Ben Hurley at the Wellington and Christchurch events.