Wineries set to hit the road

The wines of the Coonawarra Wine Region will take centre stage in a national showcase this month as its producers hit the road for the annual Coonawarra Wine Tasting Roadshow.

Held in four capital and two provincial cities, the national event series will see up to 26 Coonawarra producers travel across the country to bring wine lovers of Australia the best of the wine region.

Presented over three weeks in August, the tour will include tasting events in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, and for the first time Noosa and Geelong, with more than 1500 wine enthusiasts anticipated to attend nationwide.

Coonawarra Vignerons events and marketing officer Heidi Guyett has coordinated the event series with the inclusion of the provincial cities of Noosa and Geelong tipped to draw an already very engaged, wine loving audience.

“We are delighted to be visiting both the Noosa and Geelong regions with the Coonawarra Roadshow in 2024,” she said. “There are many loyal Coonawarra wine consumers in these growth areas of Australia, many of whom have gone out of their way to travel to the closest metropolitan event in past years – and now it’s our turn to reward them.

“Whether they are relatively new wine drinkers or long time devotees, the star-studded line up of Coonawarra wineries participating is sure to please.”

Coonawarra is synonymous with premium red wines, iconic brands and a rich history of wine making dating back to 1895.

This event is well supported by Coonawarra producers ranging from boutique family-owned operations right up to internationally renowned corporate brands, such as Wynns Coonawarra, Brand Laira’s of Coonawarra and Katnook Estate

Attendees will be spoilt for choice with anywhere between 100 and 170 wines featuring on the wine lists at the varying events with a great range of varieties and styles up for tasting.

The wine list is said to include an extensive range of red wines, including Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for which it is most famously known, along with an impressive selection of Coonawarra’s white varieties.

“The cool climatic conditions of the Coonawarra Wine Region make for outstanding white wines that are crisp and aromatic,” Mrs Guyett said. “From Riesling to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and more – there will be something for every wine lover – sparkling’s included.”

Attendees can expect not just to be served by wine reps, but in most instances, the winemaker and/or owners and family members of the brand.

Consumers and wine trade can therefore interact at a more intimate level to ask questions about the wines and the technical aspects of the wine making process and cellaring etc.

“The wineries of Coonawarra really embrace the opportunity to present their product to a national audience of consumers and trade in their home states, alongside their counterparts,” Mrs Guyett said. “They particularly love the opportunity to meet their customers firsthand, to build on relationships and to make new ones, all the while sharing what they love – their wine.”

Wynns Coonawarra winemaker Sarah Pidgeon will be exhibiting at the East Coast events presenting Wynns’ latest releases and looks forward to the interaction with wine lovers, providing a overview of what attendees can expect.

“The Coonawarra Wine Tasting Roadshow is an enduring regional showcase, much anticipated by wine lovers around Australia,” she said. “It’s a great way to get a snapshot of the current wine styles across Coonawarra and meet the people behind your favourite wines, while discovering some new ones.

“Direct connection with wine lovers is always as valuable two way conversation that invigorates our wine community.”

The wines presented at the 2024 Wine Tasting Roadshow will feature releases from the highly regarded and consistent vintages of 2019-2023, with wineries encouraged to bring along a mystery bottle, typically a back vintage or museum wine, to demonstrate the age-ability of Coonawarra’s reds.

Tickets are on sale now and in high demand with 50% of tickets pre-sold across all states.

With only one event in each city, wine enthusiasts are encouraged to secure their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are $75 and include event entry, souvenir Plumm Wine glass, 3 hours of unlimited wine tastings, meet the makers, and complimentary food offering. To view the line up for your closest city and to book go to www.coonawarra.org/coonawarra-wine-tasting-roadshow-2024