news
FRIDAY, JunE 16
Church backs wine show
Words Gretel Mead
In 2004, a small group of members from Marananga’s Gnadenfrei Lutheran Church, launched what they thought would be a community wine show, designed to highlight the quality of small batch wines produced in the western Barossa sub-region.
Driven by a dedicated group of committee members and community members, it quickly evolved from its humble beginnings, becoming one of the Barossa’s most prominent wine shows in just a matter of years.
Returning in 2023, the nationally acclaimed event, one of Australia’s only sub-regional wine shows, will again grace the hearts and palates of the Barossa and wider community, as they celebrate 20 extraordinary years.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years, it’s a marvellous celebration” remarked Marananga Wine Show Chair, Cathy Wills.
“It’s an incredibly special event and as a community – we’re all very proud.”
For those uninitiated, the annual Marananga Wine Show, was established to help the small producers within the western Barossa exclusively, benchmark their wines against industry standards.
Unable to enter their wines in larger shows due to the small volumes produced – the church, which sought a way to serve the community, came to the rescue.
“We see the wine show as a way the church can really impact the industry that we are embedded within,” Cathy said.
Peter Neldner, Marananga Wine Show Committee Member added, “We have a mantra here, that the church is part of the community, and that’s what we’ve always tried to do with this and will continue doing.”
“That’s what I love most about the show, the fact that it is a celebration of our community.”
- Cathy Wills
In the early days, entries for the Marananga Wine Show primarily comprised of hobbyists and small wine producers rather than some of the bigger Barossa names, the sub-region is now known for.
But now, the brains behind the drops of iconic Barossa wineries such as Seppeltsfield and Hentley Farm, stand shoulder to shoulder with small batch winemakers – their wines all held to the same national standards.
“It’s remarkable to see community members, people from interstate, the local winemakers themselves, all together in the same room, tasting the wines,” Cathy said.
“It’s as interesting to the winemaker to benchmark, as it is for a consumer coming to try.”
Cathy said it is also remarkable to taste a range of wines, all grown within a very small subregion.
“I think that is what the judges love,” she added.
“They get to taste 15 shiraz grown within 10 kilometres of each other – it’s quite phenomenal from an industry perspective.”
This year’s public tasting, celebrating 20 years, will be held at Peter Lehmann Wines’ Old Redemption Cellar.
“I think it will just be great to have a really joyful, community celebration,” Cathy said.
“That’s what I love most about the show, the fact that it is a celebration of our community.
“I’ve always loved walking through the tasting, seeing neighbours, friends, local winemakers, local growers, side by side, championing and tasting each other’s wines.”
Martin Pfeiffer, Marananga Wine Show Committee Member added, “The fact that it has continued on over the 20 years and grown in reputation beyond the Barossa, is the most important thing of the lot.”
“Not only does it bring a good focus to the western Barossa wines, it brings a good focus to the quality too,” Cathy said.
“Now, as a committee, we see it as just one way our church can be of service to our local community.”
