The NSW Wine Industry Association (NSW Wine) has announced a 12-month partnership with Placemaking NSW to establish a regular ‘NSW Wine Cellar Door’ in the Rocks at Sydney Harbour.

After collaborating to pilot the ‘NSW Wine Cellar Door’ concept through early 2024, NSW Wine said it was clear that there was an appetite from visitors and locals alike to explore more wines from some of NSW’s 16 distinct wine regions and meet the people behind them.

Situated under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, against the iconic backdrop of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House, the NSW Wine Cellar Door aims to bring a taste of the wine regions to the city, and provide an opportunity for winemakers to spend more time on-the-ground in the largest wine market in Australia. Each bi-monthly cellar door will include six wineries, curated to shine a light on different regions and varieties.

“It’s fitting that we’re bringing NSW wines back to where it all began,” said Mark Bourne, president of NSW Wine. “The first vines in Australia were planted here in The Rocks precinct in 1788. We are excited about this opportunity to showcase wines from our 16 distinct regions, connecting Sydney’s wine lovers directly with the passionate producers shaping NSW wine’s future.”

Anita Mitchell, chief executive of Placemaking NSW, said she was “thrilled” to be partnering with and promoting NSW Wine.

“The Rocks attracts over 12 million visitors every year and the pop-up cellar door will be a major draw card for Sydneysiders and locals alike,” said Mitchell.

In addition to a bi-monthly cellar door, the partnership with the Rocks Markets will also include a host of other collaborations over the next 12-months from tutored tastings and masterclasses to winemaker dinners.

This new industry and government partnership is also working on a flagship Sydney Cellar Door weekend during NSW Wine Month this coming November. This will see more local NSW wine producers descend on the Rocks to showcase everything from the first state of wine. The event will be a celebration of old and new, including wines from Australia’s oldest continuous wine region, the Hunter Valley, as well as new and emerging producers, new varietals and other ‘hidden gems’ from across NSW.

NSW Wine Cellar Door | 2024 Key Dates

Sep 28-29 | ‘Alternative Varieties’ NSW Wine Cellar Door

Nov | Sydney Cellar Door

Nov 23-24 | ‘Hidden Gems’ NSW Wine Cellar Door

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