By Andy Young
NSW wine industry personalities including Bruce Tyrrell, Iain Riggs, Darren De Bortoli and Bill Calabria helped launch the inaugural First Planted Lunch in Sydney on Friday.
Darren De Bortoli and Bill Calabria at Friday's First Planted event in Sydney
The Langtons-sponsored event featured a live wine auction conducted by Matthew Caillard MW which included a number of rare and unusual items including a barrel of Tyrrell’s 2016 Vat 47 Chardonnay which sold for $12,232 and a double magnum of Lake’s Folly Cabernet which sold for $990.
“With offerings from Brokenwood, Clonakilla, Lake’s Folly, McWilliam’s, Tyrrell’s and a wide array of regional producers, this aptly named First Planted Auction, reflects the ambitions of our forefathers and the aspirations of a new generation of winemakers. This auction comprised unique experiences and rare wines that express the voice, tastes and sensibilities of our State,” Caillard said.
Held at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the event was designed to promote the best of the New South Wales wine industry, including the strong 2014 vintage.
Tom Ward, the president of the NSW Wine Industry Association and also from Orange-based winery Swinging Bridge, expressed his delight at the outcome of the event and his excitement to see the result of the final online auction.
“Winemakers from across NSW have been winning awards and producing outstanding vintages for decades,” Ward said.
“We wanted to showcase our great capabilities and successes as a wine producing state and this event has allowed us this opportunity. It has been a great success in bringing NSW wines back into the conversation and we’re excited to see the flow on through the state’s wine lists and cellars.
“And for those who were able to get their hands on the rare wines and experiences, or are still waiting to bid on their otherwise impossible to buy offer, we hope they enjoy their unique piece of NSW wine history.”