An eclectic bunch of Australian winemakers to take the UK by storm

Following the heatwave and holidays, the UK wine trade springs back to life in September, with a month-long series of Australian wine events.

The Australians will take the UK by storm this September, as more than 60 winemakers, winery owners and principals touch down for a bumper month of activity. The producers will be sharing their wines - and their stories - with both trade and consumers at events across the country.

Don’t miss Off the Vine on 20 September, the first-ever wine tasting at The Steel Yard. Set under the railway arches of London’s Cannon Street station, this trade event will showcase the new, the bold and the extraordinary. 36 pioneering winemakers will unveil the new wave of Australian wine, including alternative varieties, exciting new styles and wines with little or no intervention.

Other events in September include:

• Mornington Winemakers on Tour – events throughout the month including a trade tasting at Australia House, master classes at 67 Pall Mall, Vinoteca and The Institute of Masters of Wine, plus consumer tastings with The Wine Society and The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.
• Liberty Wines Australia Portfolio Tasting – trade tasting on 11 September, featuring over 100 wines from their premium Australian producers.
• The Australian Cellar Launch – with Mel Brown from 6pm on 20 September. A new online platform, The Australian Cellar opens their collection with a launch party.  
• Out the Box Young Importer Tasting – on 25 September, showcasing over 200 wines
• Langmeil Barossa Workshop Series – on 25 - 26 September with Leigh Woodrow of Langmeil and Berkmann Wine Cellars

Winemakers and winery owners hitting the UK include Martin Spedding (Ten Minutes by Tractor), Brendan and Kirstyn Keys (BK Wines), James Erskine (Jauma), Virginia Willcock (Vasse Felix), Chris Tyrrell (Tyrrell’s), Iain Riggs (Brokenwood Wines) and Stephanie Toole (Mount Horrocks). The full list of visiting producers is here.

The month-long series of events will demonstrate what makes Australian wine exciting and unique. Everyone – trade, enthusiasts, novices – will have the opportunity to experience both new and legendary Australian wines.

Christian Dal Zotto of Dal Zotto, who is heading over to the UK for Off the Vine, said:  

‘The UK is a key market for Australia and it’s very important to come over and meet the trade, especially for a small producer like us. We’ve found the UK trade love their wines, are well educated on what they want but also keen to try new things, which works well for Dal Zotto and our alternative varieties.’ 

Wine Australia’s Regional General Manager EMEA, Laura Jewell MW, is looking forward to welcoming the large contingent of Australians. Laura Jewell MW said:

‘The Australian wine landscape is more exciting than ever and now is the time to challenge preconceptions and show the exceptional quality and diversity of Australian wine. It’s incredible to have such a talented group of winemakers and principals visit the UK to tell stories about the people, the places and processes that make Australian wine unique.’

After visiting the UK, 27 of the winemakers will head to Denmark for Wine Australia’s Made our Way event on 24 September and some will continue on to Norway, Sweden and Finland for the Nordic Roadshow between 27 September – 3 October.

Wine Australia UK events in September

Mornington Winemakers on Tour Tasting

Thursday 6 September 1pm – 5pm

More information and registration

Off the Vine

Thursday 20 September 11am – 5pm

More information and registration

Australian wine in the UK

• More Australian wine is shipped to the UK than any other destination and exports continue to grow. For the year ended June 2018, exports to the UK increased by 12 per cent in both value and volume, to AUD $384 million and 246 million litres.
• Australia is number one in the UK off-trade, up by 3 per cent in value to £1.2 million (IRI Worldwide). Australia is number three in the UK on-trade, behind France and Italy.
• With International Grenache Day coming up on 21 September, it’s good to see exports of Australian Grenache to the UK are up 30 per cent (MAT June 2018).