Wandering Geelong for a good cause

More than 20 of Victoria’s finest wineries, distilleries and breweries will showcase their offerings on Saturday for the APCO Foundation Geelong Wine Walk, which is this year fundraising for bushfire relief.

Held annually across seven historically significant venues in the Geelong CBD, patrons can embark on a self-guided winery tour and sample the wares of producers including local favourites BAIE Wines, Santa & D’Sas, Teddy & the Fox and Blackman’s Brewery.

Chairperson and co-founder Sharon Gleeson said the foundation was committed to raising money in the areas of health, poverty and disaster relief, and has now donated more than half a million dollars to the local community.

“The APCO Foundation has provided us with a humble opportunity to raise money for those in our community who need support, and the Geelong Wine Walk has enabled us to inject some real fun into the process,” she said.

“It has been a great joy to me to see the way the APCO Foundation has been embraced by our retail and corporate partners, and the communities around us. It’s something the APCO family is very proud of.”

All profits from this weekend’s event will be donated to people who have been directly affected by Australia’s recent bushfires.

Ms Gleeson said following Black Saturday, the foundation wanted to help if disaster struck Australia again.

“It (Black Saturday) was one of the catalysts for reasons for starting the APCO Foundation, so it was not a hard decision to decide to donate all the money from the Geelong Wine Walk to those affected by the bushfires,” she said.

“The best thing is that if people enjoy themselves at our Wine Walk, we get to do some good in the world and maybe we can brighten what can be some very dark days for some of our fellow Australians.”

Each venue – Sailors’ Rest, Geelong Boathouse, Fisherman’s Pier, There There, Frankie, Shorts Place Social and the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre – will be matched with different producers for multiple tastings as patrons make their way around Geelong.

Live entertainment will be provided by Kim Cooper, Chook & Moluck, Cameron Bryce, Abi and Brett Grace and Blue Wax Duo.

Tickets are $110 per person. To secure yours, head to eventbrite.com.au.