9 December, 2015

South Australian escapades for Dreamtime delegates

Tourism Australia’s signature incentives showcase, Dreamtime 2015, kicked off on Monday in Adelaide.

The city’s most passionate advocates took 20 international and domestic journalists on a daylong tastebud-focused tour of the city, wrapping up at Penfolds Magill Estate.

After the morning Business Session with Australian industry and Convention Bureaux, media began their Adelaide afternoon with lunch at Orana, where Chef-owner Jock Zonfrillo brought the taste of Australia to the plate with ingredients like kangaroo and local wild herbs.

Chef Jock Zonfrillo working at his restaurant, Orana

They then went on an Adelaide adventure, learning of its people, history and culture.

First stop? Award-winning restaurant Africola where owner, Duncan Welgemoed, took them through his food philosophy and cooking style, before an introduction to Adelaide’s festival scene at the Adelaide Festival Centre (AFC).

Then to Government House where media were treated to an afternoon tea by His Excellency, the Honourable Hieu Van Le AO.

Government House, Adelaide

The day ended at Penfolds Magill Estate with a welcome function that combined food with theatre and of course showcased some of the region’s finest wine.

Penfolds’ Ambassadors accompanied guests around the tasting rooms, as well as the underground caves, which hold the world famous Penfolds Grange.

Adelaide Convention Bureau ceo Damien Kitto called it the perfect end to the first day of Dreamtime 2015, “Flawless events, offering genuine hospitality, outstanding fresh local food accompanied by some of the world’s best wine are all hallmarks of Adelaide and its business events industry.”

“Adelaide has no shortage of talented, passionate individuals who want to share their stories on what makes our city unique,” Kitto added.

Tourism Australia director John O’Sullivan agreed, saying there was no better way to get to truly know Adelaide than by meeting with the people who call it home.

Dreamtime 2015 day two was every bit as exciting as the first for international gusts who saw the very best of Adelaide and surrounds.

Highlighting SA’s close proximity to the coast and wine-growing regions, guests visited Port Willunga and McLaren Vale, the Barossa Valley, central Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills.

So what exactly did they get up to?

Guests from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and Korea met local trader and saw Adelaide Central Market before enjoying lunch created by local chef Paul Baker in Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens.

Dreamtime buyers from Greater China experienced the Barossa Valley’s iconic Seppeltsfield Winery est. 1851, before embarking on a scenic helicopter flight across the valley.

They even had the chance to sample a vintage Tawny from their birth year!

Guests at Jacob’s Creek Heritage Vineyard from NZ and the USA indulged themselves in a chocolate and wine pairing experience to the soundtrack of local indigenous music before harvesting fresh produce themselves that was transformed into a lawn-set gourmet picnic lunch by special functions chef Veronica Zahre.

Then it was a game of croquet, with wine tasting direct from the barrel.

Buyers from the UK and India were chauffeured by a fleet of vintage vehicles to the stunning views of Port Willunga where they broke into smaller teams and enjoyed beach cricket and fishing.

The group lunched at Star of Greece, overlooking the ocean, before a hands-on wine blending experience at Wirra Wirra Winery in the McLaren Vale.

Day two concluded with the Dreamtime Dinner at the National Wine Centre Australia, where buyers and media experiences SA hospitality before heading out on their own educationals.

Images: Supplied.

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Adelaide Africola Dreamtime Dreamtime 2015 fine wine Food Orana Penfolds Penfolds Magill Estate South Australia Tourism Australia Wine