The countdown is on to the 2023 36° South Coonawarra Vignerons Cup, with organisers excited for its return after two years of COVID interruptions.

The official trophy was unveiled during a launch at the Whistle Post Wines cellar door, where attendees enjoyed Coonawarra wines paired with 36° South beef, catered by the Coonawarra Store.

36° South is the 2023 Coonawarra Vignerons Cup Presenting Partner, which was represented at the launch by Tey’s Australia training manager Martin Cherrington.

Thursday, January 12 will mark the 41st Coonawarra Vignerons Cup and the day will include an eight race program at the Penola Racecourse.

The much-anticipated event will begin with breakfast at 9.30am and lead into a day full of fun and entertainment, including fashions in the marquee, wine auctions, a super sweep, lunch, afternoon tea and plenty of Coonawarra’s finest wines.

Australian TV and radio personality Julian ‘Jules’ Schiller has been announced as the MC for the event.

Coonawarra Vignerons events and marketing officer Heidi Guyett said she was excited the cup was returning to its full form after two years of COVID-19 interruptions.

“There has been a great lot of anticipation about the return of the event,” Ms Guyett said.

“I think after the two failed attempts, or so close with last year’s event, it has just been so disheartening to put so much effort into these large-scale events and then them not eventuate.

“So we’re obviously very confident this year that we will be able to proceed as we have in the past and it is just nice to be able to go into the event knowing that people are excited about it and that we can deliver knowing what we have done in the past.”

Ms Guyett said she was looking forward to the community and guests coming together once again and it would be great to have the full marquee return.

“It just makes a tremendous difference to the whole atmosphere,” she said.

“We had presence for the last two years when the race continued to run but it just is nowhere near the same as the atmosphere that comes together when you get that many people under one tent and have a great day.

“This is a race day event like no other in South Australia.

“It’s not necessarily all about the racing or all about the wine but it is a combination of everything which makes the event so special.

“It has all the elements of a great and memorable day out.

“We will be keeping our fingers crossed the weather is good but we do have the advantage of having a beautifully-acclimatised air-conditioned marquee if we need to.”

Ms Guyett was also excited the Fashions in the Marquee element was returning, with locals Ashlee Kalantarian from A’el Este and fashion stylist Kellie Nobes as judges.

Public ticket sales are officially online and Ms Guyett said pre-sale numbers sold quickly.

“We will be looking at the members’ tickets coming through in the coming days to then look at releasing further tickets for the public,” she said.

For those who cannot access the marquee, the race club is hosting General Admission.

Visit www.coonawarra.org to access tickets and for further information.