Great Eastern Wine Weekend 2018
The 2018 Great Eastern Wine Weekend ran from the 7th – 9th of September this year, bringing hundreds of visitors to the east coast and selling out ticketed events across the program.
The event was again blessed with ideal Tasmanian spring weather providing perfect wine and dining experiences not to mention some memorable sunsets from Freycinet Lodge. With ten events in total and several new offerings, it was going to be a busy weekend enjoying the region’s finest wine and produce.
Friday night hosted the sold out, Meet the Maker Wine Expo at Freycinet Lodge. This event is fast becoming a favourite of the weekend, kick starting festivities and getting some one-on-one time with the wine makers and label representatives.
It was great to see Freycinet Marine Farm launch their new exclusive tour coinciding with this event. A magic spring morning greeted the visitors for yet another sold out experience.
It wasn’t all about the fresh local seafood, with Wild Abundance & Fire cooking class presented by Twamley Farm. Attracting the slow cooking enthusiasts, locally sourced venison, rainbow trout, rabbit and pheasant were paired with wines from Darlington and Boomer Creek Vineyards.
Multiple whale sightings were a highlight for many of the guests lucky enough to be on the Wine in Wineglass boat cruise, just an added bonus to this special trip around the Freycinet Peninsula to Wineglass Bay. The 2017 event saw the introduction of the Lunch in the Vineyard at Craigie Knowe Vineyard and due to popular demand was back again this year. Guests were treated to a three-course lunch and enjoyed the stunning surrounds of the east coast’s oldest vineyard.
The Great Eastern Wine Weekend isn’t just about first-class wine and produce but also the people who are behind the labels, working tirelessly to offer such fine fare. Claudio Radenti took 120 lucky guests for a guided tour of his 40-year-old vineyard and winery, coupled with an educational class and Freycinet Vineyard tasting. It is experiences like these that are truly unique to this special weekend.
The Great Eastern Wine and Dine Dinner was again a spectacular affair with Freycinet Lodge delivering a perfect setting for canapés and sparkling on the deck before an entertaining evening hosted by Tasmanian wine guru Tim Goddard and Claudio Radenti.
Sunday saw many other highlights across the region with Milton Vineyard attracting Pinot lovers and Devil’s Corner Cellar Door proving a hit with their Bubbles and Bivalves event for the oyster fanatics.
If this year’s event is anything to go by, the 2019 Great Eastern Wine Weekend will be another exceptional weekend with pre-sales on all ticketed events guaranteed to sell out when the program is launched in March 2019. Don’t miss this great weekend of fine wine and produce on Tasmania’s stunning east coast and Freycinet Peninsula.