What do winemaking and charity have in common?
Let’s begin with passion, purpose, shared wisdom, mateship, love, fulfilment, enjoyment, and a sense of giving back.
This Friday, 20 May, the 2022 Winemakers Master Class is bringing to life all those experiences as four leading Australian winemakers showcase their winemaking expertise for the benefit of Sunshine Coast SunnyKids.
Ten years ago, given my passion for wine and community, I decided to create my own blend of purpose and enjoyment by inviting the Sunshine Coast business community to support charity through raising some very fine glasses of wine, explained and gifted by the winemakers themselves. Although the event supported different charities in those first few years, it has become a staple fundraiser for SunnyKids to support the life changing work they do for the Sunshine Coast community.
More than 40 winemakers have generously graced this event over the decade, raising more than $700,000 for causes and kids in need on the Sunshine Coast. Given that we are in the midst of QLD Domestic Violence Awareness month, it is poignant and pertinent that SunnyKids are playing a proactive role in ‘breaking the cycle’.
This year, four wine industry leaders, with almost 100 years of combined winemaking experience under their palates, will share their wisdom and love for their craft for the imbibing pleasure of our community.
Allow me to introduce them…
Industry icon, Reid Bosward, founded Kaesler Estate in 2000, home to some of the Barossa Valley’s most highly regarded premium wines and, today, known as the ‘Baron of the Barossa’. Having worked in vineyards all over the world, his 25+ years’ experience has led to him overseeing the development of Kaesler’s single vineyard-old vine estate labels. Reid will be educating our palates as to the pleasure and virtue of . . .
- Kaesler – ‘Avignon’ GSM 2018
- Kaesler – ‘The Bogan’ Shiraz 2020
- Kaesler – ‘WOMS’ Shiraz/Cabernet 2018 – one of my all-time faves!
Drew Tuckwell, a winemaker of 30 years’ experience, today makes prize-winning wines at family-run Printhie Wines in the Orange wine region and does not take anything for granted. He says, “You have to keep adapting, keep interpreting what’s happening in the market, questioning what you’re doing”. As part of Friday’s four-course degustation luncheon, Drew will be highlighting . . .
- Printhie – Topography Chardonnay 2021
- Printhie – Swift NV Methodé Traditionnelle Cuvée
Stuart ‘Stuey’ Bourne, founder of Soul Growers in the Barossa, claims wines speak to a place, a time, the people, the community, the soil, the history, the vineyards, the landscape and the seasons – all wrapped up in the love that goes into growing grapes and making wine. He will be sharing his wisdom, love and passion through introducing us to . . .
- Soul Growers – 2021 Soul Growers Barossa Valley GSM (Grenache Shiraz Mataro)
- Soul Growers – Slow Grown Shiraz
Finally, Ben Portet, of Dominique Portet Yarra Valley, a 10th generation winemaker with an incredible lineage and pedigree giving him the benefit of that wisdom and experience. Today, he shares his own wisdom by being a leading industry judge as well as a recognised craftsman in a winemaking story that has its roots in France in the early 1700s. On Friday, Ben will introduce . . .
- Dominique Portet – Yarra Valley ‘Single Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2019
- Dominique Portet – Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Thanks to these generous and talented winemakers for supporting SunnyKids.
Let’s raise a glass to passion, purpose, shared wisdom, mateship, love, fulfilment, enjoyment, and a sense of giving back. Looking forward to circling back here with a detailed wine review of a few of them I’m sure!