Justine, Henschke’s marketing manager, says it’s a story worth telling.
“Henschke has been making Riesling since the first commercial vintage 150 years ago,” she says.
“South Australians are fairly loyal to the grape varieties grown in their state but we need to go to the rest of the country to lift the profile and seek opportunities to familiarise palates with this regional hero.”
The committee has launched an inspired new campaign that positions October as ‘Month of Riesling’ in the Barossa.
The vision is a series of hosted, tailor-made food and wine events at restaurants, cellar doors and hospitality venues that will eventually be expanded to Adelaide.
This year’s signature event ‘Taste of Spring’ will be hosted at Ferment Asian in Tanunda on October 5, culminating in what John describes as “a true Barossa lunch – one that finishes at five o’clock!”
The former Masterchef contestant, who famously refused to serve sub-standard food to the judges, has high hopes for the ambitious food and wine initiative.
“I’m a big foodie. I love experimenting with food and wine matching, and I just love the food that the Barossa has,” John says.
“Food and wine to me are the same as art – they are an expression of the individual. By serving a dish and a wine, you are serving yourself on a plate and in a glass.
“Like food, every Riesling has to meet my expectations, otherwise it doesn’t make it to the market.”