The 2019 Wine Media Conference (WMC) is taking place in October in the Hunter Valley and organisers have revealed the four post-conference excursions it will be offering to attendees.
The WMC has partnered with four wine regions to offer participants the opportunity immerse themselves in the local wine region, learning about culture, terroir, local viticulture, and the history of the area.
The four options are: Mudgee Wine Regions; Southern Highlands; Riverina and Orange.
Allan Wright, WMC’s Lead Organiser, said: “The pre-conference and post-conference excursions are an integral aspect of the annual Wine Media Conference.
“Even attendees from within Australia should find these excursions to be highly educational but the 56 people who have already registered from North America will definitely wish to extend their trip and participate in the excursions.”
Excursion Option One: Mudgee Wine Region. Home to over 35 cellar doors, the Mudgee Region is located about three hours west of the Hunter Valley and across the Great Dividing Range, Australia’s major mountain range. This gives the Mudgee region a distinctly different look and climate from the Hunter Valley. Mudgee is nestled in within surrounding hills and is primarily a producer of robust and deeply coloured red wines.
Excursion Option Two: Southern Highlands . Explore the closest wine region to Sydney, the beautiful Southern Highlands , known for its cultural heritage, small towns, and beautiful landscapes. The picturesque Highlands sits approximately 850 meters above sea level and within two hours of Sydney, Canberra and the Illawarra Coast. Specialising in sparkling wines, pinot gris and pinot noir, this region consists of 17 family owned and run boutique wineries and over 60 vineyards. This is a true cool-climate region with one of the latest harvest dates in Australia.
Excursion Option Three: Riverina. The Riverina wine region in New South Wales, Australia is centred on the town of Griffith and surrounding villages of Yenda, Hanwood, Bilbul and Tharbogang as well as encompassing the small township of Leeton. Its flat plains, bordered by the Cocoparra ranges, along with the rich soil, irrigation scheme, and a Mediterranean climate were the key factors in developing this wine region back in 1913. Over a hundred years later, many of Australia’s well-known family wineries still headquarter their operations here in the Riverina, making award-winning wines and more alternative varieties.
Excursion Option Four: Orange. Orange is fast becoming known as one of Australia’s best wine districts, with local wines regularly winning national and international awards. This wine industry growth, in tandem with the continuing development of Orange’s already highly regarded gourmet restaurant and cafe culture, has bolstered the city’s reputation and the region’s growing status as a ‘food capital’. Orange is about food and wine, but the “Orange 360” degree viewpoint shows you it’s also about the open countryside, country villages in Blayney and Cabonne shires, and sports tourism including bike travellers and bushwalking. On this excursion you’ll get to experience the Orange wine region in depth.
The 2019 conference is the first event being held outside North America and is supported by the Australian Government’s International Wine Tourism Competitive Grants program, administered by Wine Australia as part of the $50m Export and Regional Wine Support Package, along with local support from Destination New South Wales, and cooperation from Wine Communicators of Australia.
Details on the conference are available on the Wine Media Conference website and excursions can be booked by conference attendees online.