Winemakers and producers will gather in the Hollick Estates Barrel Hall for the 2024 Cellar Dwellers Back Vintage Tasting Showcase on Friday 12 July

Coonawarra’s Cellar Dwellers event is underway, offering a program of food and wine events designed to highlight the cellaring ability of Coonawarra’s wines. One of the feature events in the program, The Cellar Dwellers Back Vintage Tasting Showcase, will return next Friday 12th July, offering tastings of 30 back-vintages in one location, for one night only.

“What is unique and appealing about this event is that it brings together a diverse group of Coonawarra producers, in one location to showcase their wines collectively,” said Coonawarra Vignerons events and marketing officer, Heidi Guyett.

“Not all of the producers attending have a physical Cellar Door in the region or have one, but are not open on a regular basis, so the event is also a great opportunity for the likes of these producers to be involved in the Cellar Dwellers activities and to showcase their wines,” she explained.

Hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons, the event brings together a suite of Coonawarra producers to showcase their finest aged wines and celebrate the ageing ability of Coonawarra wines.

Boasting wines dating back to 2002, the wine list for the highly event features up to 30 meticulously cellared wines, between 8 to 22 years of age, from 15 of Coonawarra’s much loved producers. The stand-up event will see wine lovers tasting over a 2-hour duration in the Hollick Estates Barrel Hall.

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the month-long event, which offers a program of food and wine events, designed to highlight the cellaring ability of Coonawarra’s wines.

“2004 was an outstanding year in Coonawarra, and the inaugural year of Cellar Dwellers. The intent, back then, was to entice visitation to the region during what was a traditionally quiet time of year for cellar doors,” said Guyett.

“Since its inception the Cellar Dwellers Month has grown from straightforward back-vintage wine tastings at a handful of cellar doors, to a robust program of diverse events involving over 20 producers and incorporating long lunches, behind the scenes winery tours and winemaker dinners across the region.

“Locals and visitors to the region are invited to taste and compare cellared ‘museum’ wines, and to discover how Coonawarra wine, both red and white, develop over the years, displaying a true testament to longevity,” said Guyett.

Following the tasting event, guests may stay on for a two-course dinner in Hollick’s Upstairs Restaurant, with local guest chef Ian Perry creating the menu. A shuttle bus is available to attendees from the Penola township to the venue.

The month-long celebration is set to end at the Cellar Dwellers 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner where three Coonawarra Vignerons patrons will be inducted.

The dinner will take place on Saturday 27th July at Parker Coonawarra Estate and is open to all wine enthusiasts.

For further details, see the Cellar Dwellers event page at www.coonawarra.org

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