Whilst businesses, associations and organisations continue to conduct meetings and conferences virtually or in a hybrid manner, the opportunity to socialise and enjoy one another’s company over a drink at the conclusion of a successful event remains a challenge.
For venues and experiential operators, that challenge has presented an opportunity to pivot once again and look to online opportunities that are more corporate than publicly focussed as was the aim when the pandemic first impacted. The National Wine Centre of Australia, awarded the inaugural Pivot and Innovation Award by the Restaurant and Catering Association of SA, has taken this route with its Virtual Wine Tasting offering.
“Our online wine tasting masterclasses are a successful product of 2020 and all that it bought to the hospitality industry” said Jason Bird, General Manager, National Wine Centre of Australia.
“Hosted in house pre-pandemic, we redeveloped and took these experiences online during shut down with our initial target being Adelaide residents. Demand from wine lovers nationwide then led us to successfully research ways to provide interstate delivery of the wine samples required for the tastings.
“With a return of business events (albeit largely virtual) and the ability to conduct the experiences across the nation, we’ve once again revisited the offering and further developed the product to make it suitable for business event managers looking for something different to provide their staff or delegates with an opportunity to enjoy a fun, social situation” he said.
The National Wine Centre of Australia’s virtual wine tasting opportunity hosted by one of the National Wine Centre’s Sommelier team.
The two hour sessions for (ideally) up to 80 people (larger groups can be accommodated on request) include six wines which may be of a ‘theme’ of your choice e.g. wine region, blend or you can let Head Sommelier James Boden suggest options for you.
The six wines are poured into vials from the National Wine Centre’s Enomatic machines, which prevent oxygen and hands from interacting with your wine (watch here).
The vials are sent across the country to the nominated address for every participant, delivered in the days prior to the tasting. Participants just need six wine glasses. Prior to the event, guests will be emailed information about storing the wine, tasting notes and a zoom invitation.
Whether in a hybrid setting or with each guest working from home, the sessions are fun, interactive and offer a chance for social engagement whilst participating in something different in this post-COVID era.
The packages are available to those hosting a meeting anywhere in Australia. They are not limited to those utilising the National Wine Centre as a host venue.
Cost is $95 per person which includes
- 2 Hour Virtual Wine Masterclass
- 6 x Sommelier Selected Wines in vials
- Delivery to all participants
- A National Wine Centre Sommelier to Host
- Communication of Zoom Information, Tasting Mat and Tasting Notes to each participant
*Virtual wine masterclasses are subject to availability and premium or customised packages will incur an additional cost.
To enquire about corporate wine tasting masterclasses, contact Olivia Bryant, Conference and Event Planning Manager, National Wine Centre of Australia olivia.bryant@adelaide.edu.au
Issued for The National Wine Centre of Australia by Foster Hill PR & Marketing
Sue Hill T: +61 (0)418 822 629 E: suehill@fosterhill.com.au
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Pictured: Sommelier selected wine being prepared for virtual tasting vial.
