We could not hold this conference and offer such an unbelievably low price to participants without the support of our sponsors and partners. Please take the time to read about them below. We will be adding more as the planning progresses!
- For sponsor information, we have created an Introductory Video to the WMC for potential sponsors. While this is directed towards the Australian industry, it is applicable to everyone.
- Please contact Reno Walsh at 888.758.8687 ext: 704 (North America only) or sponsor@zephyrconferences.com. In your email, please mention “Wine Media Conference” as we also run other conferences.
- Please note we discourage events not included in the official agenda for a variety of reasons: they often are invite only, which is against the spirit of the WMC; if planned during the WMC they pull from our scheduled events; and they take advantage of the WMC’s gathered attendees without supporting the conference itself. If you have an idea for an event before, during, or after the conference, please contact us to discuss sponsorship.
- If you would like to host a future Wine Media Conference, please complete our Host Application.
2019 Sponsors
Grand
The mission of Destination Sydney Surrounds North is to make Destination Sydney Surrounds North (DSSN) the most successful Destination Network in New South Wales and to maximize the benefits of the Visitor Economy for the region and New South Wales. The organization works with industry partners to ensure they are enabled to maximize opportunities and grow the Visitor Economy.
The Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association (HVWTA) is a not-for-profit membership based incorporated body that works in partnership with both Cessnock City and Singleton Councils. The HVWTA is responsible for destination and wine marketing, advocacy, technical and business support for all facets of the Hunter Valley wine and tourism industries from viticulture through to winemaking and tourism and wine promotion. All wines for Live Wine Social at the 2019 conference will come from HVWTA member.
The New South Wales Wine Industry Association represents the 14 wine producing regions of New South Wales. NSW is the second largest wine producing State in Australia, accounting for over 30 per cent of the A$5 billion Australian wine industry. NSW grows over 26 per cent of the industry’s specialist wine grapes and produces around 34 per cent of its wine. The wine industry in NSW now produces 48 million litres of wine, with 40,000 hectares in grape production, and A$500 million in exports.
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW has been an influential force in the direction and development of Australian agriculture through competitions, education and events since its foundation in 1822. The RAS is a not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting agricultural development and rural communities in Australia.
Founded in 1886, Angove Family Winemakers is one of Australia’s most successful wineries – a fifth generation family company with a tradition of excellence and an eye for the future. The Angove family craft a wide range of premium wines from vineyards across South Australia with a focus on McLaren Vale, where their beautiful cellar door is located. The family are committed to sustainable vineyard management and are one of the most significant organic grape growers and winemakers in Australia. The range of wines crafted from this idyllic location include the flagship Medhyk Old Vine Shiraz, Warboys Single Vineyard wines, the extremely small batch Single Vineyard series that explore the diversity of Shiraz growing sites, Family Crest and the Alternatus and AMV-X range that lead you on a discovery of alternative winemaking styles and varieties. The company is committed to remaining privately owned and operated, with the 5th generation of the business driving the business forward and building on over 130 years of winemaking excellence. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @angovewine and Instagram.
Excursion Sponsors
The Queensland Wine Industry Association is the representative industry body for Queensland wine businesses. The Queensland wine industry has grown significantly over the years to cover approximately 1500 hectares throughout the State. With a new generation of talented people guiding production, the creation of quality Queensland wines has had wide acceptance nationally and internationally. Today, Queensland wine is renowned for producing enticing ‘wildcard’ wines across a handful of uniquely stunning wine regions.
Granite Belt Wine Tourism is a member-funded organisation formed more than a decade ago to promote tourism in Stanthorpe and the wider Granite Belt region. At 1000 metres elevation, the air seems fresher, the sky more blue in Granite Belt Wine Country, Queensland. Discover a landscape of dramatic beauty and diversity with four distinct seasons – log fires (and occasional snow) in winter and cool summer nights where you can escape the swelter of the coast.
Mudgee Region Tourism is a multi-award-winning independent not-for-profit agency, delivering destination marketing and visitor information services for over 300 local business members. The organisation aims to secure growth for the visitor economy, whilst maintaining the cultural integrity of the region, with creative destination marketing and visitor servicing initiatives. With over 40 cellar doors, a distiller and a brewer, Mudgee Region is perfectly equipped to host lovers of food and wine in a sophisticated country setting.
Orange360 aims to create an effective umbrella for the marketing, promotion and development of the Orange region, based primarily on wine and food tourism but encompassing the whole business community of Orange, Blayney and Cabonne for the purpose of economic development. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
The Riverina Winemakers Association represents the wineries of the Riverina region in NSW. The Riverina is home to six of Australia’s top 20 largest wine companies and 7 of Australia’s top 15 wine exporters. All of our wineries are family owned businesses, with more than half identifying Italian heritage. From our larger producers to our smaller boutique wineries, there is a fantastic range of wines waiting for you to experience.
The Southern Highlands Food & Wine Association is dedicated to the promotion of the food and wine producers and people of the magnificent Southern Highlands of NSW. As the closest wine region to Sydney and a true cool climate, with vineyards ranging up to 900m in altitude, the Southern Highlands specialises in true cool climate winemaking from sparkling wines to crisp white wines and pinot noir. With a thriving farm produce and restaurant scene to compliment the family owned wineries, a visit to the Southern Highlands has something to offer wine and food lovers from all walks of life.
Expo Sponsors
Two Fat Blokes have lived in the Hunter Valley for a combined 40 years spending most of their working lives in the wine hospitality/tourism industry. Their Hunter Valley wine tours will introduce you to the true characters, hidden boutique wineries & restaurants and some truly outstanding food & wine. Their tour guides all have extensive food & wine knowledge and know the Hunter Valley region very well.Live Wine Social
We will ultimately have 19 winery sponsors of both Live Wine Social sessions.
Red (Friday)
- De Iuliis Wines | @deiuliiswine
- First Creek Wines | @firstcreekwines
- Glandore Wines | @Glandorewines
- McGuigan | @mcguiganwines
- Mt. Pleasant Wines | @MtPleasantWines
- Scarborough Wine Co. | @scarboroughwines
- Silkman Wines | @SilkmanWines
- Tempus Two | @TempusTwoWines
- Tintilla Estate | @tintillaestate
- Tulloch Wines
White/Rosé Wine (Saturday)
Host Hotel
The Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, a full resort with golf, tennis, and vineyard views right on the resort property, is our home for the conference weekend.