d'Arenberg shines on global tourism stage

It was a huge gamble when family-owned d'Arenberg Wines invested in its attention-seeking Cube from 2003.

But it is a gamble that paid off with the McLaren Vale winery now established as a global tourism icon.

It's been another big week for d'Arenberg and The Cube with a win on Friday night in the category of best tourism attraction at the South Australian Tourism Awards.

Then d’Arenberg was recognised on the global stage in the World’s Best Vineyard Awards for 2024.

It was named #32 in the world and as the #1 vineyard in Australasia.

This year’s win means the d’Arenberg Cube, a multi-level mix of tasting room, wine sensory room, a virtual fermenter, a 360degree video room, and many other experiences, will represent South Australia at the National Tourism Awards to be held in Adelaide in early 2025.

Winemaker and d’Arenberg Cube visionary Chester Osborn said: “To be honoured locally and globally is a testament to the dedication of our entire team underscoring not only the quality of our vineyard and visitor experience but also the strength of South Australia as world-class tourism destination.

“It is humbling to see d’Arenberg and McLaren Vale recognised alongside many of the world’s great estates and shows how far we have come as a winery and as a region since my great grandfather purchased the d’Arenberg property in 1912.”

Take home a souvenir of canned fresh air

It is the perfect travel souvenir for the tourist looking for something a little bit different.

And ideal for any fool easily parted from their money.

Tourists visiting Lake Como in Italy are now able to buy cans of “fresh air” for €9.90 a can. That's over $16.

You can open it "whenever you need a moment of escape, tranquillity, or simply beauty". I'd say it is an offer that's easy to refuse. 

The smartly-packaged cans are being marketed by communications company ItalyComunica.

Website the drinks business reports that each can contains 400 millilitres of “100% authentic air” that has been "carefully collected" from Lake Como.

More than 5.6 million people visited the region last year - given the air sellers a big market.

The decision to market the cans of air came from marketing specialist Davide Abagnale, who initially saw an opportunity when he started with selling Lake Como posters online, local media reports.

Abagnale wanted to offer “something original, fun and even provocative” as well as “create a souvenir that could be easily transported in a suitcase for tourists”.

Abagnale told CNN the cans give people something closer to a “memory” rather than a “product”.

Lake Como mayor Alessandro Rapinese was rather less impressed.

“It’s a novel idea, but not for everyone," he said. "But as mayor of one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, if someone wants to take some of their air home, that’s fine as long as they also take beautiful memories of this area.”

Should you be particularly gullible, who can find out more here https://lakecomoair.it/ But you can't buy it online, only from stockists in the Lake Como region - which is a short train ride from Milan.  

So you’d like to drink Tassie wine. In Tasmania

So you are in Tasmania? You want to eat out and enhance your meal with some Tassie wine.

There are wines from big-name wineries that appear on lists throughout the state.

But you’d like to sample fairly priced wines from some smaller producers, many of whose wines do not make it to the mainland.

The Tasmanian Wine List of the Year awards, announced last night, offer a good guide to where wine lovers might find some rewarding choices

Tasmanian Wine List of the Year award recipients:
Hobart/Launceston + Overall Tasmanian Wine List of the Year: Black Cow Bistro
Best Small Bar Wine List: Stanley Wine Bar
Best Regional Wine List: The Old Bank of Geeveston
Peoples' Choice Tasmanian Wine List of the Year: Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village
Highly Commended: The Agrarian Kitchen, T42 Hobart, Grain of the Silos.

I was one of the judges for these awards, although a swag of biometrics and algorithms also hold sway.

I thought the list submitted by Aloft, in Hobart, was a very strong contender, but somehow it did not even merit a highly commended. I also liked the Peppina list, particularly, and Mudbar, much more than my bot mates.

That said, the winning list from Black Cow Bistro in Launceston is excellent and a worthy recipient.

Wine Tasmania also released the new 2025 edition of its Tasmanian Wine Trails publication at the Tassie Wine Stars event. 

This brochure, concierge map and accompanying online directory serves as the go-to guide for visiting Tasmania’s cellar doors across four parts of the state - the North-West, Tamar Valley, East Coast and Southern Wine Trails respectively.

With Tourism Tasmania this week launching a new campaign encouraging locals to get out and explore closer to home this summer, Wine Tasmania is encouraging locals and visitors alike to put the Tasmanian Wine List of the Year venues and experiences showcased in the 2025 Tasmanian Wine Trails publication on the bucket list.

"We Tasmanians are spoiled for choice when it comes to extraordinary local wine and food experiences. The word is definitely out, with 23% of all visitors to Tassie in the year to June 2024 calling into a cellar door during their stay, staying longer in our regional areas and spending more than other visitor segments,” Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies said.

See winetasmania.com.au

Meet a luxe South African lifestyle precinct with a purpose

 

The Saxon Hotel, in Johannesburg's northern suburbs, is one of the best addresses in Africa. Food, wine, accommodation and service are all top notch. Nelson Mandela wrote his autobiography while in residence.

Now the team behind Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, led by owner Douw Steyn, is full steam ahead with an ambitious new project: Steyn City.

The Steyn City residential lifestyle estate - an ambitious project is an unlikely location - has just opened Saxon Spa Steyn City, Steyn City Hotel and Guild restaurant, with shared workspace and conferencing.

Steyn City is located next to Deepsluit, one of the most impoverish settlements in South Africa, and the Lucky 7 informal settlement (shanty town), but insurance magnate Steyn wants the project to benefit locals through employment and business opportunities, and by actively engaging with the community, which is just a short distance from the business hub of Sandton.



“It is with great pleasure that we introduce our newest offerings nestled within the prestigious Steyn City residential lifestyle estate," says George Cohen, managing director of Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa.

"These additions to our portfolio mark our dedication to reshaping serenity and luxury within an environment that is truly incomparable."

The precinct includes Steyn City Hotel by Saxon, a luxury apartment hotel with 50 luxury serviced apartments set in 2,000 acres of indigenous parkland, only 50% of which can be developed.

Also on site are a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, a private 50km mountain bike track and a 300-metre lagoon.

There are also padel and tennis courts, walking and trail running tracks.

The new hotel apartments boast a hotel cocktail bar and a rooftop pool.

“This is a rare partnership: the power of our brands coming together is certain to provide guests with a unique experience that is not easily forgotten,” says Steven Louw, CEO of Steyn City Properties.

“As we unveil the Steyn City Hotel by Saxon, we are not just introducing a new chapter in luxury hospitality, but an unparalleled experience where sophistication meets convenience." OK hypemaster. 

The Steyn City Hotel is part of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World collection, along with the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, and family-owned Shambala Private Game Reserve.

The Saxon Spa, a wellness and rejuvenation centre, will open soon.

See https://www.steyncity.co.za/ and https://steyncityhotel.co.za/

Tourism Tasmania targets different demographic

Tourism Tasmania is targetting a new demographic: Tasmanians.

The tourism organisation has launched a new campaign to inspire Tasmanians to make the most of the longer days and enjoy the diverse tourism, hospitality and event experiences available around their home state.

It makes sense. Airfares to and from the mainland over the next few months are eye-wateringly high. And getting a spot on one of the TT Line ferries is like winning the lottery.

The new campaign is a joint initiative between Tourism Tasmania, Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA), Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania (TICT), Events Tasmania and State Growth.

“Tasmanians play an important role in our visitor economy, contributing around $1.9 billion each year, and making up 25% of all visitor nights,” Tourism Tasmania says.

“The campaign’s key message is to encourage Tasmanians to make the most of our longer days by featuring a mix of events, accommodation, hospitality and experiences to drive regional dispersal.”

The campaign showcases a range of tourism and hospitality businesses and events across Tasmania, centred around the themes of ‘eat’, ‘drink’, ‘stay’, and ‘play’ and will be promoted across radio, newspapers and local magazines, out of home billboards, social media and through TV partnerships.

To help promote regional travel and showcase tourism experiences, Tourism Tasmania has partnered with Tasmanian-born Olympic swimming gold medallist Ariarne Titmus, promoting her recent visit to the north, north east and east coast.

The campaign will appear across Tasmania from today until March 2025, coinciding with Tourism Tasmania’s Come Down For Air interstate campaign which is running throughout NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and WA until March 2025.

See www.discovertasmania.com.au/longerdays

Forget Love Island: Get marooned on Wine Island

Some of Australia's leading wine producers will dialling up the volume and heading to a new Wine Island location later this month.

Gap Bluff, at Watsons Bay, will host the event from from Friday, November 29, to Sunday, December 1 with panoramic views over Sydney Harbour.

Wineries such as Kies Family Wines, Chateau Tanunda, Rameau d’Or, Taltarni and Clover Hill Wines, Tar & Roses, DAS Juice and Thomas Wines will be pouring their wares.

Other drink offerings will include Broulee Brewhouse’s South Coast brews, Byron Bay’s Papa Salt gin, Monkey Coladas by Monkey Shoulder, and classic cocktails from Hendrick’s Gin.

The Amalfi Beach Club will showcase Italian wines, spritzes pizzettes, while the Flavour Fiesta precinct will host Carbón, Cancun Boat Club, Santa Catarina, Bar Lucia, Brazilian Flame, and BrOz Burger.

Activities on offer will include a Pottery & Plonk workshop, Yoga + Unwined, and a Wine Selectors' Tasting Terrace. Club Tropicana will host "a lively tropical silent disco".

For those wanting extra luxury, First Class tickets offer exclusive access to the International VIP area, premium harbour views, the International Wine Bar, a meal from Flavour Fiesta, and the indulgent Oyster & Yarra Valley Caviar bar.

Wine Island is an 18+ only event. Details at www.wineisland.com.au.