Charlotte Varcoe
A UNIQUE batch of wines will be available for tasting next month as the annual Coonawarra Cellar Dwellers celebrations kick off.
Now in its 17th year, the month-long celebration will include over 50 events across the Limestone Coast in an effort to entice visitors to the region during the winter months.
Coonawarra Vignerons event and marketing officer Heidi Eldridge announced the mammoth program at a launch event on Wednesday with around 30 winery representatives and supporters present, signifying the community approach to growing the event.
While the 2020 program was subdued due to COVID-19 restrictions, Ms Eldridge said this year’s program was jam-packed with many cellar doors hosting dinners, bonfire nights and much more.
“Last year the event was on when the cellar doors had only just opened and we didn’t have too long to consider whether we delivered the event or not,” Ms Eldridge said.
“But the Cellar Dwellers event is quite simple because it is just wine tasting so we were able to go back to basics and do that.
“Fortunately this year the restrictions are even less and we are back to the full extensive program which is a combination of great events.”
Ms Eldridge said alongside the schedule of events, the online program had been streamlined to make it simpler for visitors to book in.
“For the Cellar Dwellers there is also an initiative where we are trying to encourage people to go that little bit further and entice them into visiting that one last winery,” she said.
“We have developed a passport system where if they receive five stamps they go in the draw to win a case of Coonawarra wine.”
Long-time Coonawarra Vignerons member Doug Balnaves said it was a great initiative and lauded the opportunity to once again be part of the month-long event.
“Many years ago there was a discussion in the marketing committee about what to do during July because it is generally our quietest month of the year and there was a proposal put forward that we make it a discount month but that soon developed into the event it is now,” Mr Balnaves said.
“There is potential to lock this in with other events across the South East such as with Millicent and Mount Gambier and is a great way to continue to get people into the region throughout winter.”
Cellar Dwellers starts in July and continue through the month with the full program available online.
