By Amy Looker, editor National Liquor News
Sydneysiders are set for a month of wining and dining following the launch of The Sydney Morning Herald NSW Food and Wine Festival.
Presented in conjunction with Citi, the festival encompasses a series of palate-pleasing events, which kicks off with the opening of Sydney Cellar Door in Hyde Park today.
Over 60 wineries will set up cellar doors in Hyde Park this weekend, bringing New South Wales’ best and brightest wine regions to the very centre of the city.
Regional food producers from across the state will be dishing up their finest bites alongside the wineries, creating a showcase of food and wine for the people of Sydney to enjoy over the weekend.
Following Sydney Cellar Door is a month-long program of food and wine-focused events, including Grower’s Markets, Tour the Region dinners, Sparkling Brunches and High Teas along with a celebration of snacks and street food.
NSW Wine Industry Association president Tom Ward praised NSW wineries and producers for working hard and consistently delivering a world-class product despite tough conditions.
“It has not been the easiest few years but despite some hard times, we’ve done extremely well. However, there’s still work to be done – it’s no longer enough to think that we can rely on traditional channels and we can’t keep moaning about the lack of support we’re getting,” said Ward.
“We need to be thinking harder and working harder to make it happen and to tell the stories of NSW wine and produce, of which there are so many. We need to listen to what consumers want and deliver on these changing consumer demands.”
Festival director Joanna Savill said that the expanded focus of the festival will bring amazing wines and fantastic produce to the forefront through a series of unique events and menus.
“With so many varied regions, we really are spoilt when it comes to wine and produce in NSW. The NSW Food and Wine Festival brings this from our doorstep and onto our kitchen table, and offers a unique chance to get to know some of the state’s best producers, winemakers and growers and to learn about the fantastic things they’re doing,” said Savill.
“From Sydney Cellar Door through to the exciting one-off events, there are hundreds of wineries, restaurants and bars involved in tastings, dinners, lunches and special wine-matching offers. It’s the ideal way to explore the best NSW has to offer.”