The global spotlight will shine on South Australia this week with about 100 wine delegates and industry enthusiasts from around the world travelling to the state to experience our internationally renowned wine regions and strengthen networks
Adelaide is hosting its first Great Wine Capitals Global Network Annual General Meeting, with a comprehensive program of activities immersing local and international delegates in the state’s wine regions including Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Clare Valley, Coonawarra, Riverland and McLaren Vale.
Themed ‘Old World, New World, Our World’, the program highlights South Australia’s strengths in innovation and collaboration.
Delegates include those representing government, wine industry associations, wineries, viticulturists, academia, businesses, media, key influencers and fellow winners of the coveted International Best of Wine Tourism Awards.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone welcomed a number of distinguished international guests from the Great Wine Capitals Network.
“Hosting the AGM presents South Australia’s wine industry with the opportunity to learn, collaborate and share information in the wine sector – with internationally acclaimed delegates and enthusiasts,” said Minister Whetstone.
“Network members don’t view each other as competitors but instead work together to learn from each other and continue to grow and protect the wine industry on a global scale.
“To top it off, we will be announcing South Australian and International winners of the Best of Wine Tourism Awards, celebrating excellence in wine tourism and the experiences that raise the bar.”
Great Wine Capitals Global Ambassador and Penfolds Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago was enthused to see many international wine delegates in South Australia.
“Wine is central to South Australia’s identity and we are extremely proud to be hosting the Great Wine Capitals Annual General Meeting in South Australia to showcase local expertise with our fellow network members,” said Mr Gago.
“As members of the network, we share best practice, innovation in wine production, biosecurity, academic exchange and wine tourism.
“This is a unique opportunity to exchange wine insight and wisdom amongst fellow global wine leaders.”
The program includes touring our highly acclaimed wine regions, with delegates taking part in the ‘New World, Old World, Our World’ conference’ at the Yalumba Signature Cellar and sampling South Australian wine among other Great Wine Capital wines at the International Wine Tasting event.
The Great Wine Capitals delegates will participate in a series of meetings and workshops throughout the week and will have the opportunity to visit to renowned wineries, including d’Arenberg Cube, Seppeltsfield, Penfolds Magill Estate, Banrock Station and Skilogalee.
Concluding with a gala dinner and presentation of the International Best of Wine Tourism Awards at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, the program will close with the celebration of the best wine tourism experiences on offer internationally.
The global network includes ten internationally renowned wine regions of San Francisco/Napa Valley (US), Bordeaux (France), Bilbao/Rioja (Spain), Lausanne (Switzerland), Mainz/Rheinhessen (Germany), Mendoza (Argentina), Porto (Portugal), Valparaìso/Casablanca Valley (Chile), and Verona (Italy). Adelaide, South Australia makes the tenth
