Australian winemakers toast Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival success

Australia cemented its position as a highly popular country precinct at the 10th Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival over the weekend.

Held from October 25–28, Hong Kong’s largest consumer-facing event attracted more than 160,000 attendees.

The event featured about 450 booths - 10% more than last year - and expanded its footprint by 20% along the Central Harbourfront.

Tourism Board executive director Anthony Lau said the festival saw 120,000 visitors in its first three days alone, 20% more than the same period last year.

In its third year at the event, the Australian wine sector treated festival goers to an enhanced program of fun and educational activities to give them a lasting impression of the country’s world-class wine scene.

The ‘Australian Wine Made Our Way bar’ was created thanks to the support of the Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package (the $50m Package). It featured a diverse line-up of premium wines from 12 regions across Australia: the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Hunter Valley, Langhorne Creek, Margaret River, McLaren Vale, Mornington Peninsula, Riverina, Rutherglen and Tumbarumba.

Two themed wine stalls – the ‘Refreshing sparkling, white and rosé booth’ and the ‘Rich and bold red booth’ – gave patrons a chance to explore a collection of varieties that are on-trend in Australia and are becoming popular in Hong Kong.

Two regional bars showcase the best of Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wines and, in the Grand Pavilion, the ‘Best of Australia booth’ exhibits some of Australia’s most premium, diverse and innovative wines, highlighting the finest examples of region and variety.

Wine Australia CEO Andreas Clark said: "The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival attracts 144,000 patrons who come to enjoy the best food and wine from around the world.

"It’s about creating a lasting impression of our winemakers, our regions and our diverse and premium wines.

"The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival kicks off a busy line-up of China-focused activities over the next month, with the China International Import Expo (November 5-10), the Wine Australia China Awards (November 12) and¬ ProWine China (November 13-15) to come.