Handpicked Wines announce three-year partnership with Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Handpicked Wines has announced a three-year partnership with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The wine producer, owned by DMG Fine Wines, will join the Symphony as both a Platinum Partner and as the Presenting Partner of the popular Cocktail Hour concert series. 

“We are proud to partner with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, sharing a commitment to excellence and delivering unparalleled experiences,” said William Dong, CEO at Handpicked Wines. 

“We believe in the magical power of artistry and craftsmanship, crafting wines that captivate the senses, much like the unforgettable symphonies created by the Orchestra.”

The partnership is the latest in a series of recent developments for the DMG Fine Wines brand. This includes its recent acquisition of House of Arras, Australia’s leading sparkling wine producer. The purchase includes all inventory, 24 hectares of premium vineyard, the winery, the Pipers River cellar door, and the brand itself.

"We proudly produce great Australian wine and Arras compliments our portfolio perfectly," said Dong in an exclusive interview to be published in the upcoming Drinks Trade Autumn magazine.

"In Peter Dillon and Ed Carr we now have a couple of the best winemakers in Australia. Pete has been doing amazing things with the Handpicked range and Ed’s so creative and passionate about what he’s doing.

"We are looking at a brand like Arras and thinking, how can we add value to a brand that is already so successful quality-wise? The number one priority is to continue to do whatever they’re doing, in terms of winemaking. The second part is to get distribution in places that it’s never been in...the right places, including more key markets. Europe is one of our focus markets, so we’re investing there."

Last year, Handpicked Wines also attained certified member status with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, with all six of its vineyards across Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia achieving the certification. Its Mornington Peninsula Capella Vineyard and Capella Winery also achieved Organic certification from the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia, making it the first and only site in the state to achieve both certifications in the process. 

"Sure, in the early stages there were challenges with resources, and we thought maybe we would make some organic or biodynamic and some we would continue the conventional way," said Dong.

"But then we decided that it had to be all or nothing. We must be consistent, which I think will become more and more important across all Australian wineries, not just ours, but broader across the industry. It’s the right thing to do."

As part of the partnership with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Handpicked Wines will be served at all its events, including at its philanthropic and corporate ventures. Handpicked Wines will also be used for gifting to international artists. 

“We are delighted to welcome Handpicked Wines as our new Platinum Partner,” said Sydney Symphony Orchestra CEO Craig Whitehead.

“As Australia’s flagship orchestra, we are committed to bringing Australian audiences the very best in live performance from the world’s greatest musicians, a dedication to craftsmanship and excellence shared by Handpicked Wines. With their support, we look forward to continuing one of our best-loved series, Cocktail Hour, during which audiences will be treated to Handpicked’s award-winning wines. A true synergy between our two fields indeed.”

Subscribers to the Orchestra will also gain access to exclusive offers through the subscriber benefit program.