In what is a highlight on the South Australian racing calendar, the 42nd annual 36oSouth Coonawarra Vignerons Cup will run on Thursday at Penola Racecourse.
And, with favourable weather conditions forecast, it’s looking to be a cracker of a day for racegoers to hit the track and enjoy a day out.
The Coonawarra Vignerons Cup Marquee takes centre stage at the raceday, featuring as the ‘place to be’ for the ultimate day of indulgence.
Organisers are preparing to entertain over 500 guests in airconditioned comfort at a premium trackside marquee event, combining food, wine, fashion, fun and live racing action.
Coonawarra Vignerons Events and Marketing Officer Heidi Guyett said she was looking forward to hosting the trackside celebrations and emphasised the uniqueness of the event.
“There are very few race day events, especially in country racing clubs, that can pull off an event as extravagant as the Coonawarra Cup Marquee,” she said.
“The event starts with a sparkling breakfast, followed by a seated luncheon and afternoon tea, and combines all the best elements of a race day – fashions in the marquee, super sweeps, imperial auctions, live entertainment and of course a smorgasbord of Coonawarra’s premium wines.
“It really is something special and a great day to be a part of.
“Not only is it a great day out, there’s also the added perk for punters to rub shoulders with Coonawarra wine royalty – the winemakers, viticulturists, winery staff and boutique winery owners.
“The event is a highlight for our entire wine community.”
For the fifth year local brand, 36oSouth (Tey’s Australia premium State SA brand), have partnered with the Coonawarra Vignerons to present the renowned event.
Marquee guests will be treated with a gourmet menu featuring ‘Southern Australia’s Finest Beef” – premium home-grown beef from the pastures of the Coonawarra region, to be paired with none other than Coonawarra’s world class wines.
No race day is complete without the Fashions on the Field – or in this case Fashions in the Marquee, which has become a hotly contested affair for marquee guests over the years.
The stakes are again said to be high this year with guest judges and fashion/styling specialists, Kellie Nobes and Ashlee Kalantarian, partnering to select the most stylish male and female, along with best millinery with over $800 worth of prizes to be won across four categories.
The fourth category, introduced in 2023, will be the People’s Choice award – with the title going to the contestant with the most public nominations.
Australian Radio and TV presenter Jules Schiller will lead the event as MC in the Marquee, returning for a second year to join in the trackside festivities.
A certain highlight of the day for Marquee guests is the Imperial Auction, featuring eight six litre bottles of wine, presented in a bespoke jarrah box.
Wines ranging from 2002 to 2021 will featuring in the impressive auction catalogue, with the acclaimed “Best Cabernet in the World” – Riddoch 2021 Pastoralist, anticipated to fetch a tidy sum following its recent string of accolades.
Riddoch Coonawarra Chief Winemaker Tim Heath will be on hand to present the imperial and looks forward to personally signing the prized bottle of wine for the lucky purchaser.
“The 2021 vintage is nothing short of exceptional. The person who takes home this award-winning wine, I hope will have great satisfaction in drinking it in the short term or even for a special occasion years down the track,” Mr Heath said.
The imperial auction will take place about 2.45pm ACST with external bids accepted via prior registration.
The Imperial Auction catalogue is available to view on the coonawarra.org website.
Only limited seats remain to the esteemed marquee event, which features as the only package arrangement on offer at the 36 South Coonawarra Cup Day, with shuttle bus services running from the Penola/ Coonawarra Township, Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and Robe.
A nine-race program will run on the day, with general admission tickets available at the gate for public.
The marquee package commences at 9.30am with the first race scheduled to commence at 12.20pm.
For more information and to purchase marquee tickets to the 36oSouth Coonawarra Vignerons Cup Day Marquee event, click the link and head to coonawarra.org/ coonawarracup2024
