Adelaide offers an abundance of festivals which used to centre predominantly around the Fringe, Festival and Womadelaide, but over the past few years this great southern state has been expanding its repertoire. One festival that was added to the calendar in 2011 was the Cellar Door Wine Festival. It celebrates everything that South Australia has to offer throughout its amazing wine regions, its fantastic produce and its growing craft beer and cider market.
Having been to the Cellar Door Wine Festival in past years, I was beside myself to receive an invite to join the Social Media team as an Ambassador in 2014. Knowing that this would be an opportunity not to pass up, I jumped at the chance to join key South Australian social media magnates in helping raise awareness of what has now become a multiple award winning and nationally recognised event.
Given the responsibility to promote, post, tweet and photograph various elements of the festival otherwise known as #CDWF, I relished the task of engaging people through various functions, networks and social media platforms to help entice people to what is now South Australia’s biggest and best wine event.
Boasting a list of 160+ wineries from 15 wine regions scattered throughout the state, visitors will have the chance to sample over 800 different wines across the 3 days of the festival. Add to that a list of craft beer and cider breweries along with some iconic and relatively new boutique food producers in the PIRSA Tastes of SA area, and you have the perfect recipe for a gourmet journey of the senses.
Starting on Friday 14th February (Valentine’s Day) and continuing over the weekend, up to nine thousand people will muster through the doors of the centrally and stunningly located Convention Centre situated between North Terrace and the River Torrens. For those looking to spoil their loved ones on Valentine’s Day, or any other day for that matter, there are 8 different Master classes to choose from. Starting on the Friday, Masterchef Marion Grasby offers a food and wine extravaganza, while cheese expert and importer Valerie Henbest will have you salivating with a range of indulgent cheese and matching wines.
Being a self-confessed food geek and lover of quality, premium wine and craft beer, my journey through the four Social Media Ambassador functions has only strengthened my appreciation and anticipation for the 2014 event. With a single day, general admission ticket setting you back a mere $30, it not only provides and amazing social setting but is also an opportunity to savour some of our state’s best wines. This is an ideal event to tantalise your tastebuds and set about planning an epic encounter to a wine region that may otherwise have been perceived as a trip too far to travel.
You’re only a few clicks away from attending what’s is SA’s premier wine event. For further information, masterclass session times and ticket pricing and sales, check out the website at cellardoorfestival.com.
Darren Richards
