The wines of the Coonawarra Wine Region will take centre stage in a national showcase this week 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 over 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. 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,” she said.
“Whether they are relatively new wine drinkers or long time devotees, the star-studded line up of Coonawarra wineries participating is sure to please.”
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.
Ms Guyett said 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. From Riesling to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and more – there will be something for every wine lover – sparkling’s included,” she said.
“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. 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 exhibit at the east coast events presenting Wynns’ latest releases and is looking forward to the interaction with wine lovers.
“The Coonawarra Wine Tasting Roadshow is an enduring regional showcase, much anticipated by wine lovers around Australia. 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,” she said.
“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.
