The largest gathering of South Australian wine, food, and spirits producers and exporters in many years is heading to Auckland to showcase their best.
On Thursday, the 27th of October, more than 30 highly acclaimed South Australian wine, food, and spirits producers will be in Auckland for ‘Tasting South Australia’ - a showcase of the best of South Australian food and beverage.
The event, which is the largest congregation of South Australian food and drink trade to take place in New Zealand, will be held at the exclusive Glasshouse venue in Auckland. Trade and media attendees will have the opportunity to try the premium wine, food, and spirits on offer from South Australian producers. Producers that will be in attendance include those that are new to market as well as those which are seeking distribution in New Zealand.
From 3pm to 6pm, importers, distributors, specialist and grocery food, beverage, and wine retailers, as well as the on-trade, wine, food, and lifestyle media, are welcome (and actively encouraged) to attend the Tasting South Australia Showcase. Attendees at the Tasting South Australia Showcase will have the opportunity to engage with a variety of South Australian producers, all while enjoying the fabulous wine, food, and spirits on offer.
Two spokespeople flying the flag for South Australian wine, food, and spirits at the event include Sean Connolly, one of Australia’s and New Zealand’s most recognised chefs and restaurateurs, and esteemed wine journalist, educator, wine judge, and official patron of the South Australian Wine Ambassadors Club, Tony Love.
Sean Connolly will be on hand to introduce South Australian wine, food, and spirits. As the owner of Esther at QT Hotel and Sean’s Kitchen restaurants in Adelaide, he provides a unique link between Adelaide and Auckland. Sean said: “I am thrilled to be the Ambassador for Tasting South Australia, and to be able to introduce over 30 incredible wine, food, and spirits producers from South Australia at the event. I opened my restaurant ‘Sean’s Kitchen’ in Adelaide 10 years ago, but my passion for South Australia began many years before in my twenties when I backpacked across Australia and discovered the wonderful food and wine that the State produces. South Australia truly is an epicentre for brilliant produce in Australia. It’s the epitome of God’s country! It has the perfect climate for the perfect produce, and some of the best wines in the country. I’ve never been prouder to represent South Australia – great produce, great wine, great people.”
Tony Love will be representing the South Australian wine sector on the day. In addition to attending the Tasting South Australia showcase, Tony will also be attending Winetopia, the largest and most comprehensive public wine tasting event in New Zealand. Tony said, “South Australia’s wine makers are among the most innovative in the world, creating world-class styles from its famed traditional varieties like Shiraz, Cabernet, and Grenache, and now forging a new generation of wines from a wide range of regionally adaptive and climate-suitable Mediterranean and Iberian varieties. I’m really proud to celebrate our impressive history and introduce Winetopia guests to the exciting future of South Australian wine.”
A selection of producers from South Australia will also be exhibiting at Winetopia to provide New Zealand consumers with the opportunity to meet the makers and enjoy South Australian wine and food. The South Australian Showcase will be the first time that Winetopia has hosted an international wine component.
Tasting South Australia will be delivered in partnership with the Department for Trade and Investment in South Australia, Austrade New Zealand, and Lemongrass Productions.
Rob Eliott, of Lemongrass Productions, which is hosting the event, said: “South Australia is renowned for its rich history of winemaking and for producing spectacular, signature reds which are very different from the wines we make so well here in New Zealand. In addition to amazing wine, the South Australia food scene has become world famous, and we are looking forward to showcasing this in Auckland as well.”
Twenty-seven highly acclaimed wine producers will be partaking in the event: Bleasdale Vineyards, Dandelion Vineyards Sister’s Run, Dowie Doole, Gemtree Wines, Haselgrove Wines, Knappstein Wines, Levrier Wines by Jo Irvine, Mallee Estate, Metala Wines, Ministry of Clouds, Mitchell Wines, Organic Hill Wines, Ottelia, Paisley Wines, Paxton Wines, Portia Valley Wines, Rymill Coonawarra, Salena Estate Wine, Seppeltsfield Wines, Sorby Adams Wines, The Hidden Sea Wines Co., The Islander Estate Vineyards, Thorn-Clarke Wines, Unico Zelo, Vanguardist Wines, Wangolina, and Wines by Geoff Hardy. A selection of these wine brands will also be heading to Winetopia on the 28 and 29 Of October at Shed 10 in Auckland.
Standout spirits producers that will be partaking the Tasting South Australia event include Never Never Distilling Company and Seppeltsfield Rd Distillers.
A stellar selection of gourmet food producers in attendance at Tasting South Australia include: Macro Meats (the world’s largest distributor of Australian kangaroo and wild game meat), Pendleton Olive Estate, The Yoghurt Shop, The Old Colonial Company, and Yumbah Aquaculture. Agricultural cooperative Goldtec Control Systems will also be joining the event.
The Tasting South Australia showcase is free for members of the trade to attend. Those interested in registering their interest for the event, can confirm their attendance via the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/tasting-south-australia-showcase-ruled-by-flavour-tickets-407191409467
Event details
Tasting South Australia Showcase
Time: 3-6pm
Date: Thursday, 27th of October
Place: Glasshouse Morningside