MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                             SEPTEMBER 2011

THE WINE SHOW JO'BURG SETS INDUSTRY BENCHMARK

The unique format of The Wine Show Jo'burg has once again bucked industry trends by growing exponentially year on year. This year's show attracted more visitors, more sales and higher expenditure per capita.

According to show director John Woodward, the feedback from visitors and exhibitors has been incredible. "This year's show definitely had more of everything with even a higher spend per visitor, which I consider remarkable in the current economic situation. Many of our exhibitors have reported their best sales of any show and a whopping 90% of all visitors actually bought wine at the show," mentions Woodward.

The exhibitor feedback questionnaires revealed that an incredible 94% of producers stated that they would recommend The Wine Show to other producers, which is a significant result for a wine industry event. "There is no doubt that the industry is facing severe challenges, which definitely affects the sustainability of similar industry events. Our fantastic sales figures of R2,7-million showed a 14% year-on-year increase and have once again proven that the format of our show is conducive to better sales. The more spacious, colourful environment with individualised stands allows exhibitors to interact better with visitors, market their products in a personal, face-to-face manner and therefore achieve higher sales," explains Woodward.

Another interesting fact highlighted by the exhibitors' feedback was that they actually preferred when there are fewer visitors as sales tended to drop off when it is crowded at a stand. "It is definitely a case of footfall is vanity, higher sales are sanity when it comes to successful wine events."

Woodward also ascribes the positive sales figures to the fact that exhibitors are actively encouraged to take orders directly on their stands. "It is very evident that people come to our show with a serious intent to buy wine, not only to taste and we try to facilitate this process as much as possible. I think that The Wine show has now cemented its reputation as the premier event platform for producers of premium wines, who require above average sales at shows. This has been proven not only at our flagship show in Johannesburg, but also during our road show in Port Elizabeth."

The show's e-magazine Wine-Extra has also shown sustained growth and have exceeded the 10 000 mark on its database. During The Wine Show Jo'burg, 1800 visitors opted in to receive the publication, which creates a seamless continuity of communication for wine producers with a target audience that is wishing to purchase premium wines.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                             JULY 2011

WINE EXTRA EDITOR JOINS WINE SHOW TEAM

The organisers of The Wine Show announced that Maryna Strachan, editor of the digi-mag Wine Extra, will be joining the team on a full-time basis. The internet-based magazine was launched in 2009 and has quickly gained an enthusiastic following.

Wine Extra currently has 9,000 subscribers, who receive a monthly e-mail notification linked to the full site(www.wine-extra.co.za). Recipients are sourced from the "opt-in" database of visitors to The Wine Show Jo'burg and The Road Show Nelson Mandela Bay. According to show director John Woodward, this is a unique way of maintaining a relationship with show visitors. "We are able to identify the serious wine lovers and then continue talking to them after the different shows. This creates a real benefit for our wine exhibitors as we have established a permanent platform for communicating with potential consumers. Wine Extra provides these wine producers with a monthly opportunity to reconnect and communicate directly with proven wine enthusiasts. Maryna's appointment recognises the influence and impact that Wine Extra has on consumers keen on growing their wine knowledge and we believe this will allow the publication to go from strength to strength," mentions Woodward.

Wine Extra follows the same fun and laid-back format, which has made the shows the fastest growing consumer wine shows in the country. The vibrant editorial content features plain-speaking wine information, event updates, commentary from top sommeliers and the latest industry news and developments as well as wine reviews by the Taste Team. The Taste Team adds a novel, yet witty mood as they are not professional journalists or wine critics, but rather enthusiastic wine lovers.

Strachan comes to the team with extensive communications experience, specifically as a copy writer in the advertising industry, both in South Africa and London. She originally applied as a taste team member, but then became a columnist for Wine Extra before taking over as part-time editor in October last year. "Wine Extra is my baby and I'm passionate about it. I would like it to become the leader in the wine/entertainment media landscape in this country. Our strapline embodies the philosophy of the publication – for wine lovers, not wine snobs. I want to demystify the snobbery still evident in the local wine industry and make our fabulous wines accessible to more and more South Africans. Being with this project in a full-time capacity will allow me to take Wine Extra to the next level, which will include more content and upholding its current high standards," explains Strachan, who also does a weekly wine review slot on 2OceansVibeRadio with Richard Hardiman.

HUNDREDS DARE TO BARE ALL FOR CHARITY

The annual Wine Laid Bare photographic competition has once again drawn hundreds of entries. This social responsibility campaign was launched by the organisers of The Wine Show Jo'burg in aid of breast cancer awareness in 2009.

Amateur and professional photographers and models pull out all the stops to interpret the theme Wine Laid Bare for the opportunity to have their submissions published in the annual Wine Laid Bare calendar. This year's competition drew hundreds of entries and massive public support through the online voting system via Facebook.

According to show director John Woodward, the site experienced unprecedented traffic. "Within the first three hours of releasing the entries, we received over 1500 visits and the response practically blew our server. Eventually, the competition page received more than 8500 page views and close to 4000 votes. The public reaction has been absolutely incredible and the level of creativity has been awesome. The 2012 calendar promises to be a work of art," mentions Woodward.

A panel of judges consisting of last year's winner Mark Freeborough, Sowetan picture editor Johnny Onverwacht and Darryl Hammond, picture editor of The Sunday Times, will select the top twelve entries to be included in the calendar. The calendar will be unveiled on the opening night of The Wine Show Jo'burg on Friday, 5 August, at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate, Johannesburg.

The 2011 edition of The Wine Show Jo'burg in association with Dawn Wing will feature three days of great wines, fabulous foods and loads of fun from Friday, 5 August, to Sunday, 7 August. Tickets are available from Computicket or at the doors for R90 per person. Weekend passes cost R150 per person and special group rates of R80 per person apply for bookings of ten or more people. Show times: Friday from 17h00 – 21h00, Saturday from 12h00 – 21h00 and Sunday 12h00 – 18h00.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                             AUGUST 2011

WINE FUN AT THE WINE SHOW JO'BURG

Wine lovers can look forward to three days of great wines, fabulous foods and loads of fun at The Wine Show Jo'burg in association with Dawn Wing from 5 – 7 August 2011 at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate. The organisers of the liveliest wine event in the country are back with a fun-filled line-up and the wine extravaganza weekend promises to delight visitors.

The exhibitors list reads like the A-Z of the South African wine industry with most of our prime wine producing regions being represented. Show visitors will be able to taste, try and buy some of the best wines in the country and explore well-known and new labels. Producers vary from big cellars, co-operative producers to small boutique wineries and independent winemakers.

Visitors will once again be able to get up close and personal with top winemakers during free tutored tasting sessions in the Wine Theatre. Wine experts reveal the secrets of different varietals, cultivars and South African wines are pitched against their international counterparts. The theatre sessions are intimate and interactive and present great opportunities to improve your wine knowledge.

Food and wine remains an inseparable combination and show visitors are in for a treat at the Friends for Dinner Theatre. Executive chef Leon Hatton-Jones from the Park Inn Sandton Hotel will showcase the easy, contemporary cuisine of his RBG restaurant paired with various wines. Theatre guests will most likely be able to taste his signature chicken and prawn curry with ginger preserve. Hatton-Jones has cooked for former presidents Mandela and Zuma and party girl Paris Hilton counts amongst his celebrity diners.

Tickets are available from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes cost R150 per person and special group rates of R80 per person apply for bookings of ten or more people. Show times: Friday from 17h00 – 21h00, Saturday from 12h00 – 21h00 and Sunday 12h00 – 18h00.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                           12 JUNE 2011

PE DRINKS WINE SHOW DRY

Eastern Cape wine lovers filled the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium's World of Windows to capacity over the weekend to sample and buy hundreds of wines during The Wine Show Road Show Nelson Mandela Bay. Visitors and exhibitors agree that the second edition of this fun, interactive consumer show was a spectacular success.

According to show director John Woodward, the response from the Eastern Cape public exceeded all expectations. "We realised when we launched the Port Elizabeth show last year that wine marketers have been underestimating the huge buying potential in the Eastern Cape, but I think that local wine consumers have definitely placed themselves firmly on the map during the past three days. Not only did we experience record footfall, but wine sales were absolutely phenomenal. Most exhibitors had to really scramble to renew their stock after Saturday's wine buying frenzy. Wine sales went through the roof with some producers recording sales of over R40 000. Once again, premium wines were in high demand," explained Woodward.

Yvette Engelbrecht from Orange River Cellars resorted to visiting her PE-based suppliers and literally buying her own stock off the shelves to be able have her whole range available on Sunday. Gerhard Dreyer from Raka actually delved into his own stock to replenish his stand.

"It was also very encouraging to see that the younger generation of consumers between the ages of 25 – 35 years was very strongly represented and enthusiastically buying wines. This means that there is a huge growth potential as this is a market segment that can be developed significantly. The various tutored tastings, which were conducted by various winemakers, were all filled to capacity and this is a strong indication that visitors were keen to experiment with different wine varietals and learn more about wine in general," concluded Woodward.

The show will return to Port Elizabeth in 2012. For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                               MAY 2011

TOURISM BODY WELCOMES WINE SHOW TO EASTERN CAPE

The Wine Show Road Show Nelson Mandela Bay received a significant boost when it was officially endorsed by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism. The event is returning to the Eastern Cape after its hugely successful launch in 2010.The three-day wine extravaganza promises to introduce Eastern Cape residents to a world of wine right on their doorstep from Friday, 10 June, to Sunday, 12 June 2011, at the glorious Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

According to Mandlakazi Skefile, Chief Executive of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, the event is a fantastic addition to the offerings of the region. "Nelson Mandela Bay provides a tourism escape for adventure, culture and sport enthusiasts as well as a relaxed family-orientated lifestyle, which has made it one of South Africa's most sought-after places to live. We fully endorse this thrilling and popular event as it is a great plus to our city's annual events calendar and helps to create an awareness of our region's diverse event opportunities. It is indeed an honour to support this great event."

Visitors can taste and buy some of the top labels in the country from all the major wine producing areas in a lively, interactive atmosphere. Exhibitors range from big co-operative producers to real wine gems from small boutique wineries and will be located on both levels of the iconic stadium's World of Windows. Winemakers will also present free tutored tasting sessions in the Wine Theatre for visitors, who would like to learn more about specific wines or cultivars. This is a great opportunity to interact with the winemakers in an informal, yet educational environment and up your wine knowledge.

Catering will be provided by Access Management and will include sumptuous sushi, gourmet sandwiches and delicious wraps on the top level and delectable hot snacks and meals at the inner-bowl food court with a perfect view of the pristine pitch. Simonsberg Cheeses will also offer a wide selection of their mouth-watering cheeses to taste and buy.

Confirmed exhibitors include Alluvia Specialist Winery and Private Residence Club, Alto Estate, Arumdale, Boland Cellars, Bonnievale Cellar, Capaia, Catchpole & Co, Crystal Direct, Dawn Wing, Durbanville Hills, Fleur du Cap, Frogitt & Vonkel Private Wine Merchants, Gabriëlskloof, Goudini, Hathersage Wines, Idiom Wines, Major's Hill, Monis, Namaqua Wines, Nietvoorbeij, Nixan Wines, Orange River Cellars, Packwood Estate, Parmalat, Perfectly Cool Wines, Quoin Rock, Rickety Bridge, Robertson Winery, Roodezandt, Simonsvlei International, the company of wine people, The Goose Wines, The House of JC le Roux, The Winery of Good Hope, Theuniskraal, Tukulu, Under Oaks, Vrede en Lust, Welgemeend, Weltevrede Estate, Whalehaven, Yonder Hill and Zonnebloem.

Tickets are available from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes cost R150 per person and special group rates of R80 per person apply for bookings of ten or more people. Show times: Friday from 17h00 – 21h00, Saturday from 12h00 – 21h00 and Sunday 12h00 – 16h00. For more information, please click on www.wineshow.co.za.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                               APRIL 2011

THE WINE SHOW SIGNS MEGA DEAL WITH AVUSA GROUP

The organisers of The Wine Show this week announced that they have signed a media sponsorship agreement with Avusa Media.  This media partnership will see the publishing giant supporting both The Wine Show Jo’burg and The Wine Show Road Show Nelson Mandela Bay across six of their titles.

According to show director John Woodward, the deal will secure an incredible audience reach for the shows.  “When you look at titles such as the Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan, Sunday World, The Times as well as the Eastern Cape editions such as Weekend Post and The Herald, our shows will receive unprecedented depth of exposure to a vast consumer audience countrywide.  In terms of the circulation of these publications, we will in effect be reaching over 7,5-million readers across South Africa.  This will definitely create a unique platform not only for the shows, but also for our exhibitors and will undoubtedly set a new benchmark for consumer wine shows in this country,” states Woodward.

The flagship event The Wine Show Jo’burg in association with Dawn Wing will take place at the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg from 5 – 7 August 2011.  Visitors can once again look forward to exploring, tasting and buying wines from all the top producers in the country in a fun, festive yet educational atmosphere.  The three-day wine extravaganza will give wine lovers the chance to browse at leisure, interact with winemakers and attend tutored sessions in the Wine Theatre.  The Friends for Dinner theatre sees winemakers teaming up with top chefs for palate-pleasing food and wine pairings.

This year’s show promises to be bigger and better than ever and with four months to go till the event, almost 70% of the available stands has already been sold or reserved.  In addition to the large number of return exhibitors, the organisers have also been overwhelmed with bookings from first-time exhibitors such as Paul Cluver, Backsberg and Signal Hill.

According to Enver Groenewald, general manager for advertising revenue and strategic communications at Avusa, great synergies exist between the shows and their publications. “The growing market for wine in South Africa is reflected amongst Avusa’s readers and it therefore makes good business sense for Avusa’s titles to be involved in what is fast becoming one of the most popular and well-supported annual events of its kind,” mentions Groenewald.

Tickets are available from Computicket for R90 per person.  Weekend passes cost R150 per person and special group rates of R80 per person apply for bookings of ten or more people.  Show times:  Friday from 17h00 – 21h00, Saturday from 12h00 – 21h00 and Sunday 12h00 – 18h00.  For more information, please click on www.wineshow.co.za. 

WINE SHOW RETURNS TO EASTERN CAPE

The Wine Show Road Show Nelson Mandela Bay is returning to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth from Friday, 10 June 2011 until Sunday, 12 June 2011. After the huge response the inaugural event received in 2010, this year's edition promises to wow wine lovers with the same informal and fun introduction to some of the best wines in the country.

According to show organiser John Woodward, the overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors and exhibitors showed that the lively, interactive format of the show continues to appeal to audiences around the country. "We had over 2000 Eastern Cape visitors last year and the exhibitors achieved sales in excess of R300 000, which was almost 70% higher than sales reported by the largest wine show in Cape Town last year. These are really impressive figures for a new show and proved to us that the Eastern Cape market was starved for attention from wine marketers. The show statistics revealed that Eastern Cape audiences were not only keen to buy wines, but also eager to experiment with and taste new wines," mentions Woodward.

Space will be at a premium as the number of stands will be limited and close to 80% of the available exhibition space has already been booked. The three-day wine extravaganza will feature an exhilarating line-up of wine producers ranging from boutique wineries, garagistes to some of the biggest producers in the country. Show visitors can get more in-depth information on various wines and cultivars during free tutored tasting sessions presented by winemakers in the Wine Theatre throughout the weekend.

Visitors will be able to enjoy the wines at leisure and utilise the Dawn Wing Sip & Ship to ensure that the wines are delivered to their doors. Food courts will be located on both levels of the impressive stadium's World of Windows.

According to Buli Ngomane, marketing and communications manager for Access Management, they are looking forward to hosting the event again. "The response to the first wine show was absolutely phenomenal and we're really happy to have the event back at the stadium and in Nelson Mandela Bay. We are confident that it will be even bigger and better this year," mentions Ngomane.

Confirmed exhibitors include Arumdale, Boland Cellars, Bonnievale Cellar, Capaia, Crystal Direct, Dawn Wing, Durbanville Hills, Eminent Fine Wines, Fleur du Cap, Frogitt & Vonkel Private Wine Merchants, Knorhoek, Major's Hill, Monis, Nietvoorbeij, Nixan Wines, Opstal Estate, Orange River Cellars, Quoin Rock, Rickety Bridge, Robertson Winery, Rooiberg Winery, Schalk Burger & Sons, The Company of Wine People, The Goose Wines, The House of JC le Roux, The Winery of Good Hope, Under Oaks, Vrede en Lust, Weltevrede Estate, Whalehaven/Idiom, Yonder Hill and Zonnebloem.

Tickets are available from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes cost R150 per person and special group rates of R80 per person apply for bookings of ten or more people. Show times: Friday from 17h00 – 21h00, Saturday from 12h00 – 21h00 and Sunday 12h00 – 16h00. For more information, please click on www.wineshow.co.za.

For media enquiries, please contact Ronelda Visser on 083 2733984.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                        MARCH 2011

THE WINE SHOW PREPARES FOR A BUMPER YEAR

Organisers of South Africa’s foremost consumer wine show have announced that they have signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with leading courier and logistics company Dawn Wing.  The Wine Show Jo’burg in association with Dawn Wing will take place at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate from 5-7 August 2011.

According to show director John Woodward, this partnership has resulted from Dawn Wing’s involvement with the 2010 show as preferred logistics supplier.  “The company handled all the delivery requirements of the show and its exhibitors, which included the consolidation of over seventy pallets of wine stock as well as visitor deliveries through their customised Fine Wine Express division.  This year’s show promises to be the most exciting ever and we’re confident that their support will assist us in streamlining logistics even further,” mentions Woodward.

Dawn Wing launched their wine-specific service Fine Wine Express two years ago after identifying the wine market segment as an exciting business opportunity.  According to Chief Executive Officer Eddie Vosloo, it felt very appropriate for their company to partner with The Wine Show Jo’burg.  “This is a strategic partnership, which we believe adds a lot of value to promote a Proudly South African product.  Dawn Wing is also a proudly South African business and sees business development between supplier and customer as an integral part of our strategy. Dawn Wing Fine Wine Express has been developed based on specific requirements from the wine industry and the show gives us the opportunity to interact on an informal basis with a varied cross-spectrum customer and supplier base.”

Apart from show logistics, Dawn Wing will also be operating a Wine Drop facility where show visitors can store their purchases at a central point for the duration of the show.  This allows visitors to continue browsing through the exhibition stands and buying wine without having to carry heavy boxes of wines around.  Visitors can then use the Dawn Wing Sip ‘n Ship service, which will deliver the wines to customers’ doorsteps within 2-3 days depending on the destination.

The Wine Show Jo’burg continues to set new benchmarks within the wine industry and the fun interactive format of the show is still attracting new exhibitors in its fifth year.  The organisers have already signed close to thirty first-time exhibitors for this year’s three day wine extravaganza ranging from small boutique wineries to world-renowned wine estates.  More than half the available exhibition space has already been booked and over 100 exhibitors have confirmed their attendance.

For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                   JANUARY 2011    

EASTERN CAPE DELIVERS A KNOCK OUT FOR WINE SHOW

The organisers of The Wine Show Jo'burg have proven that the success format of this lively wine event can be duplicated when they spectacularly launched the first The Wine Show Road Show in Nelson Mandela Bay in December. The organisers have been overwhelmed with the positive reaction of both visitors and exhibitors.

According to show director John Woodward, the figures have undoubtedly validated their decision to take the show concept on the road. "We knew that the Eastern Cape has traditionally been ignored by wine marketers and that was one of the reasons we decided to stage the show in Port Elizabeth. We were however absolutely blown away by the response from visitors to the show with over 2000 visitors arriving to taste and buy wines from 35 exhibitors and sales exceeding R300 000 over the three-day period of the show. This is close to 70% higher than sales recently reported by the largest wine show in Cape Town."

Feedback from show visitors polled after the show revealed that Eastern Cape residents are not only keen to buy wine, but also eager to learn more about wine. This fact was definitely emphasised by the attendance of the sessions in the wine theatre, which were filled to capacity on a daily basis. An astounding 85% of visitors reported buying wine at the show even though 41% of the visitors were first-time wine show attendees.

"Experience has shown that the success of a show is determined by the experiences of both the visitors and the exhibitors. When visitors are this enthusiastic, it normally predicts that you'll have a lot of repeat visitors and positive word-of-mouth marketing for the next event. But having satisfied exhibitors is absolutely crucial and I feel that we have definitely achieved that," mentions Woodward.

The response from exhibitors was exhilarating with 92% stating that the show exceeded all their expectations. The participating wineries reported that they were surprised by the calibre of visitors as well as their thirst for wine knowledge and willingness to spend on the spot. 85% of the exhibitors have already confirmed their participation in the 2011 event with many local wine distributors requesting additional space. Visitors voted Vrede & Lust as their favourite stand at the show and the show's internet-based magazine Wine Extra gained 500 new subscribers.

According to Woodward, this means that space will be at a premium. "When we took the show to Nelson Mandela Bay, we decided to keep it relatively exclusive and to limit the number of stands. Exhibitors have now realised that this is a golden opportunity to raise brand awareness in a previously ignored, but obviously powerful market and are jumping at the chance to return."
For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                   NOVEMBER 2010    

ALGOA FM TEAMS UP WITH THE WINE SHOW ROAD SHOW
The Wine Show Road Show Nelson Mandela Bay received a substantial boost when the organisers signed a media partnership agreement with local station Algoa FM. The Wine Show Road Show will bring a world of wine to the Eastern Cape with a three-day wine extravaganza from 3-5 December 2010.

According to show director John Woodward, this partnership is a perfect fit between the country's liveliest wine event and one of the most vibrant commercial radio stations. "The show is about experiencing wine in a fun, yet educational way and I feel that our format would appeal specifically to the more than 716000 weekly Algoa FM listeners. I think this creates a perfect platform to showcase both the event and our fantastic exhibitors as we're communicating with a great demographic group."

Visitors will be able to taste and buy wines from virtually every wine producing region in South Africa stretching from the Cape winelands to the cool climate wines from the Elgin and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in the Overberg. Wine lovers can explore great wines from producers on the Breedekloof wine route as well as the Swartland and Darling regions and even from the Langkloof. Wineries as far as Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay in the east and even reaching as far north as the Orange River in the north will offer true palate pleasers.

The stellar line-up includes some exciting internationally and locally acclaimed wines such as The Idiom Collection, Vrede en Lust and Knorhoek as well as imported wines at exclusive wine merchants. Show visitors can also taste some unique boutique wines from small wineries such as Lovane and Trizanne Signature Wines. Delectable snacks will be available from food counters with delicious cheeses from Simonsberg Cheese, gourmet wraps and sandwiches from Angel Foods, speciality coffees, teas and vitamin waters from Urban Espress Beverages and meaty treats from Zo-He Biltong.

According to Algoa FM programme director Alfie Jay, this collaboration shows great synergy. "The lifestyle of our core target market focuses on good living, dinner just would not be the same without a good glass of wine. We are proud and privileged to be associated with The Wine Show Road Show and pleased to have an event of this stature in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro."
Participating wineries, wine merchants, agents and producers include Arumdale, Bartinney
Catchpole & Co., Cloof, Creation Wines, Eminent Fine Wines, Frogitt & Vonkel Private Wine Merchants, Goudini Winery, Idiom Wines, Knorhoek Wines, Land of Hope, Lovane Boutique Wine Estate, Major's Hill Estate, Mostertsdrift Noble Wines, Nativo Wines, Opstal Estate, Orange River Cellars, Packwood Estate, Painted Wolf, Quoin Rock, Raka, Robertson Winery, Schalk Burger & Sons, Stanford Hills Estate, The Foundry, The Goose Wines, The Winery of Good Hope, Trizanne Signature Wines, Villiersdorp Slow Wines, Vrede en Lust, Whalehaven Wines and Yonder Hill. Crystal Direct will offer a stunning selection of stemware and wine-related products.

Tickets are available from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes cost R150 per person and special group rates of R80 per person apply for bookings of ten or more people. Show times: Friday from 17h00 – 21h00, Saturday from 12h00 – 21h00 and Sunday 11h00 – 15h00. For more information, please click on www.wineshow.co.za.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                   OCTOBER 2010               

THE WINE SHOW HEADS FOR THE EASTERN CAPE
Organisers of The Wine Show Jo'burg today announced that they will duplicate their highly successful show concept during a road show in Port Elizabeth at the end of the year. The Wine Show Road Show Nelson Mandela Bay will follow the same fun, yet educational format from 3 – 5 December 2010 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for a fabulous three-day wine extravaganza.

According to show director John Woodward, the decision to stage the event in the Eastern Cape is a direct response to market requirements. "According to official statistics, the Nelson Mandela Bay region is currently the fourth largest metropolis in the country based on population figures and economic turn-over. Yet, this area is largely ignored by national wine shows leaving the affluent, young Eastern Cape market thirsty for wine, in terms of accessibility, education and availability. By bringing wine alive in Port Elizabeth, we are confident that we can attract this lucrative market and create a unique platform for our exhibitors. The initial response from venue management has been incredibly enthusiastic and they predicted that we might even replicate the footfall we had in Johannesburg earlier this year," states Woodward.

The number of exhibitors will be limited to fifty award-winning estates, which will showcase their latest vintages at the World of Windows of the stadium. A dedicated outdoor eating and seating section will be available with food services being provided by top local catering specialists. Winemakers will offer free tutored wine tastings as well as food and wine pairing sessions in The Wine Theatre.

Venue managers Access Management has jumped at the opportunity to host the event. "Having experienced the show in Johannesburg, I am thrilled that the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium will be a venue sponsor of The Wine Show Road Show and that we'll be bringing this exceptional show to my hometown. This promises to be a not-to-missed event in the most talked about place in town – and we're definitely it," says marketing and communications manager Buli Ngomane.

Interested exhibitors can now contact Highwood Exhibitions on (021) 888 8815. Tickets will be available from Computicket at R90 per person.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                   JULY 2010                

THE WINE SHOW JO'BURG SHATTERS SHOW RECORDS
The fifth edition of The Wine Show Jo'burg has once again proven that the unique format of South Africa's leading consumer wine show continues to be a benchmark event for the local wine industry. The show maintained its steady growth with a 19% increase in footfall and a record-breaking R2,4-million sales reported by exhibitors over the three-day period.

According to organiser John Woodward, these figures definitely validated the decision to move the show to the Coca-Cola dome. "Due to the lack of a credible auditing system for exhibitions in South Africa, we have made a unilateral decision to turn our focus to the business achieved during our show rather than concentrating merely on footfall. Many producers reported their highest sales ever on any given show platform, which is undoubtedly due to the exceptional high quality of visitors to our show. Show surveys indicated that 51% of our visitors earned between R15 000 and R40 000 per month, while a staggering 36% reported a monthly income of over R40 000. The fact that 84% of all visitors eventually bought wine at the show is indeed encouraging for us as organisers and should also appeal to existing and potential exhibitors as it proves that we've found a superior model to achieve actual wine sales," states Woodward.

Organisers continue to receive positive feedback from various exhibitors regarding the exceptional organisation, brilliant lay-out, storage and distribution. Piet Dreyer of Raka Wines is a regular exhibitor at the show and maintains that it is an excellent show. "I have been very happy with this show from the very beginning and my sales have once again been through the roof this year," said Dreyer. This sentiment was reiterated by Nixan Wines stating "The Wine Show Jo'burg was fantastic for us. Good organisation and marketing created a brilliant vibe and high quality customers coming through the door. I will definitely be back next year."

This year's show also achieved unprecedented media coverage with several TV crews, including the highly rated Top Billing lifestyle show filming during the show. In total, media coverage in excess of R1,2-million was achieved for this year's event, which definitely places the show at the forefront of consumer awareness.

Woodward is also confident that the future of the show is secure as they are still consistently attracting new target audiences. "Although The Wine Show Jo'burg has always had a huge number of return visitors, show statistics have once again shown that The Wine Show Jo'burg constantly attracts a previously untapped audience of affluent wine lovers. 29% of this year's visitors have never visited another wine show, which means we are providing our exhibitors access to an unexploited market segment," mentions Woodward.

Dates for next year's show have already been confirmed for 5-7 August 2011 at the Coca-Cola dome in Northgate. Bookings for stands are open and existing exhibitors have first refusal for rebooking space.

For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                    MAY 2010

CULINARY DELIGHTS AT THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG
The Wine Show Jo’burg 2010 promises to tantalise the taste buds with not only an amazing selection of premium wines, but also a gourmet paradise with a wide range of culinary delights on offer. From 4-6 June, visitors can please their palates at the Coca-Cola Dome, Northgate during an extravaganza of wonderful wines and fabulous food.

Paul Gindra, executive chef from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton, will show off his skills in the Friends for Dinner theatre when he teams up with various exhibitors including Arumdale, The Goose Wines, Kleine Zalze, Clos Malverne and The Winery of Good Hope to pair his signature dishes with their wines. Theatre guests will be able to watch Gindra in action as he demonstrates a variety of dishes ranging from seared scallops and truffle pea puree to pressed duck, foie gras ravioli, wild mushroom and asparagus risotto and stuffed artichokes with basil and mozzarella. All the dishes reflect Gindras culinary philosophy of simplicity in food and letting the best quality produce inspire subtle, yet fascinating flavour combinations. On Saturday, 5 June, Gindra will have glamorous kitchen assistants in the form of leading actors in the upcoming Egoli movie Lerato Motau and Leandie du Randt.

With less than a week to go before the kick-off in the FIFA Soccer World Cup, culinary consultant Debi van Flymen will join forces with the Cape Wine Academy to showcase soccer wines and dishes that are guaranteed to score goals during big matches. For the ultimate Italian flair, The Idiom Collection presents Italian delicacies prepared by leading chef Gianni Mariano of Mastrantonio restaurant paired with classic Italian grape varieties.

Show visitors will also be able to sample various cuisines at the different stands. Maki on the Move will once again delight with sumptuous sushi and cocktails, while the blubird Whole Food market offers organic, deli products including smoked German cabanossi, pates and homemade Thai food. Browse through the exhibitor hall and enjoy oysters and bubbly at Weltevrede, olives and olive products, pesto and speciality cheeses. A coffee lounge and juice bar caters for non-alcoholic tastes.
Visitors can explore the fun side of wine in an informal, entertaining and educational setting. Tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person from March. Weekend passes are available at R140 per person. Secure parking is available at the venue. For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za. Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

WINE LAID BARE ENTRIES WOW JUDGES
The organisers of The Wine Show Jo’burg have been inundated with entries for the Wine Laid Bare photo competition, which is staged annually in aid of breast cancer awareness.  Hundreds of photographers and would-be models collaborated in an effort to make it to the top twelve, which will be included in the 2011 calendar.

According to event organiser John Woodward, they have been overwhelmed by the response they’ve received.  “We’ve had some of the country’s leading fine art photographers clamouring to enter the competition and the competition has been fierce.  This has been an incredible display of photographic genius and the judges were highly impressed with the innovative concepts, styling and flawless execution.  It was also really encouraging to see that the competition was appealing not only to professional photographers, but also to amateur photographers and models from all walks of life,” mentions Woodward.

A star-studded line-up of celebrity judges will be amongst the panel to make the final decision of which twelve entries will grace the pages of the 2010 calendar.  5fm DJ Sasha Martinengo as well as leading cast members in the Egoli movie such as Darren Kelfkens, David Rees, Leandie du Randt and Lerato Motau cast their votes for their favourites.  The Wine Laid Bare calendar, sponsored by Yardley Skin, will go on sale for R100 at The Wine Show Jo’burg from 4-6 June 2010 at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate.  All proceeds as well as entry fees will be donated to www.cansa.org.za to breast cancer prevention and awareness campaigns.

One of the youngest entrants, 21-year-old Bailey Brown, gathered a group of former school friends to take part in the competition.  “I am studying photography part-time and this just seemed like such an awesome idea.  We can all be affected by breast cancer, so I thought I’ll put in a bit of effort and support this great cause.  I’ve never done studio profiles before and was extremely nervous, but once we got into the swing of things, it was really exciting.  We had so much fun during the shoot and I can’t wait for next year’s competition!” explains Brown.

This year’s competition also saw a surge of interest from male models and photographers.  Another entry was submitted by five Gauteng-based garagistes.  Photographer Lucio Caldeira is a keen photographer and a member of ModelBase.  “I heard about the competition, went online and decided that we have to enter.  We all love wine and wanted to be supportive of this cause. 
We were also looking for a label for our 09 Shiraz, which is due to be bottled within the next month.  So we got together and the shoot even gave us the inspiration for the name of our wine, which will be Five Naked Men & a Dog.  The dog snuck into the picture, but the weather changed and the light was gone and there was no chance of reshooting.  It was probably just meant to be,” mentions Caldeira.

Tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person from March.  Weekend passes are available at R140 per person.  Secure parking is available at the venue.  For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za.   Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                              MARCH 2010

THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG SIGNS UP NEW LOGISTICS PARTNER
The organisers of The Wine Show Jo’burg 2010 have signed a partnership agreement with Dawn Wing, one of the country’s leading courier and logistics companies. The company, which was founded in 1989, will handle all the delivery requirements for the show and its exhibitors.

According to organiser John Woodward, Dawn Wing is ideally suited for the job. “We believe that Dawn Wing has the superior facilities to consolidate the expected 70 pallets of stock, which will be delivered to the show. The company has won nine consecutive PMR awards for best courier company and we view this as proof of their commitment to service excellence. We have been particularly impressed with their specialist division, which is dedicated to wine deliveries. This service includes repacking stock into special boxes with custom-made inserts to ensure that the wine arrives in premium condition for the customer,” mentions Woodward.

Dawn Wing launched their Fine Wine Express division in 2008 to meet market needs and offer customised solutions for wine deliveries. “We wanted to make it easy for international tourists and for South Africans from all over the country to access wines with ease and confidence. We felt that we could offer expertise and excellent service in this sector by creating a dedicated fine wine express delivery service. With our extensive Cape Town office, we are able to support the wine estates based in the Cape with a large national footprint and access to a highly substantive global network via our international partner, DPD ,” explain Benita Buitendag of Dawn Wing.

Exhibitors at the show will have access to the full complement of Dawn Wing’s services, which includes a sophisticated on-line parcel tracking service. Specialised packaging will be provided to exhibitors to protect the contents and minimise breakages.

The Wine Show Jo’burg promises to bring the world of wine to Gauteng consumers from Friday, 4 June to Sunday, 6 June 2010 at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate. For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za. Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                              MARCH 2010

TOP CHEF ADDS SPICE TO THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG
Visitors to The Wine Show Jo’burg are in for a treat with not only hundreds of the top wines available to taste or buy, but they’ll also have the opportunity to see one of South Africa’s leading chefs in action.  Show organisers have signed Paul Gindra, executive chef of the Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton, to host tantalising tastings and demonstrations in the Friends for Dinner Theatre.

As South Africa’s leading consumer wine event, The Wine Show Jo’burg offers visitors a virtual food and wine paradise and Gindra will definitely be the star of the culinary line-up this year.  From Friday, 4 June 2010, to Sunday, 6 June, Paul Gindra will team up with top wine producers such as Arumdale, Clos Malverne, The Goose Wines and Kleine Zalze to offer show visitors a culinary extravaganza of wonderful wines paired with fabulous food.

Gindra is definitely no newcomer to the spotlight and has worked his way up the culinary career ladder from busboy to executive chef in 5-star hotels around the world.  Gindra left South Africa at the age of 17 and fell in love with food when he worked as a waiter in a London restaurant.  “I was seduced into this career when I had to serve a saffron potato and truffle terrine – I never knew food could look like that.  I literally begged the general manager to give me a job in the kitchen as I realised that this would become my life’s passion,” mentions Gindra, who have cooked for celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.  Several presidents including Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton have also graced his tables.

Gindra has been the runner-up in the South Africa Top Chef competition and was the Logistics Manager for Team South Africa when they won a gold medal in the hot kitchen at the Culinary Olympics in Germany in 2008.  Inspired by chefs such as Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White, Gindra has spent the past two years refining his art.  He has adopted a gastronomic approach of simplicity with uncompromising quality.  “I believe that you should allow quality produce and the freshest possible ingredients to speak for themselves.   I don’t think dishes should be over-complicated – you just need to get back to the basics and let great ingredients combine to offer huge flavour,” explains Gindra.

Chef Gindra will bring this philosophy to life during his sessions in the Friends for Dinner theatre when he’ll demonstrate dishes from the Radisson’s Vivace Restaurant and pair it with exhibitors’ wines.  According to Gindra, the contemporary Italian menu of his restaurant will be a perfect pairing partner for the wines.  “Italian food is about so much more than pizza and pasta.  It is about the produce and the flavour combinations.   One of my favourite dishes is artichoke stuffed with basil and mozzarella served with a watercress salad and lime sauce and I think this typifies the style of the restaurant and my food.  During the demonstrations I’d like to match the subtle flavours in the dishes to those of the wines in such a way that they complement instead of overpower,” explains Gindra.

The Friends for Dinner Theatre has a capacity for approximately 90 people per 45-minute sessions.  Entry to theatre sessions is included in the show ticket.  Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so early arrival is advised.  For a schedule of theatre sessions, visit www.wineshow.co.za.

Show tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person.  Weekend passes are available at R140/person.  Secure parking available.  For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za or www.radissonblu.com.   Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday. 

SOUTH AFRICA’S LEADING WINE SHOW GEARS UP FOR A BUMPER EDITION
With less than two months to go before the start of South Africa’s leading wine show, organisers of The Wine Show Jo’burg are set to continue their groundbreaking efforts.

According to event organiser John Woodward, The Wine Show Jo’burg has established an industry standard with this interactive, informal wine event. “The show was the first of its kind to become a lifestyle event rather than a mere tasting hall. As organisers, we definitely challenged the status quo and offered the wine industry a chance for direct re-investment and revenue creation in the Gauteng market. The show presents an educational, yet fun way for consumers to learn about wine and was the first show to allow exhibitors to actually generate sales during the show. We pride ourselves on communicating with both our visitors and exhibitors on an on-going basis and are continuously investigating and creating opportunities to foster relationships between the two target markets,” mentions Woodward.

Now in its fifth year, The Wine Show Jo’burg recently introduced an online magazine Wine Extra with vibrant editorial content to continue the connection between show visitors and exhibitors and establish a holistic wine marketing platform. “Our monthly magazine (www.wine-extra.co.za) goes to over 8,000 visitors per month and provides exhibitors with a potent marketing platform throughout the year to keep you in touch with Gauteng’s most active wine consumers through editorial support. The show also acts as a distribution partner for participating wineries in Gauteng and surrounds as we allow exhibitors freedom to brand the stands individually for a strong brand image and comfortable tasting environment. Wine brands can also interact directly with show visitors through free tutored tasting sessions in the Wine Theatre, only one of several lifestyle elements to the show,” states Woodward.

The Wine Show Jo’burg takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate from Friday, 4 June 2010, to Sunday, 6 June 2010. Tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes are available at R140 per person.

Secure parking available. For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za. Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                              FEBRUARY 2010

THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG BARES ALL FOR CHARITY
Entries are now open for the second Wine Laid Bare photo competition organised by The Wine Show Jo’burg in aid of charity. The competition kicked off in style with 40 diners stripping down for an elegant evening at Overture restaurant.

Even the show’s online magazine WineExtra got into the swing of things with the six-member Taste Team first baring it all during the launch of the competition and then doing a blind tasting for the current edition. The issue definitely grabbed the attention of show visitors and received over 1500 unique visitors within the first 24 hours of going live.

The Wine Laid Bare competition was launched in 2009 to raise funds for breast cancer charities and was met with unprecedented support from models, photographers and wine lovers across the country. Organisers were inundated with hundreds of entries and the top twelve finalists were included in the 2010 Wine Laid Bare calendar, which went on sale during The Wine Show Jo’burg with all proceeds going to charity.

According to event organiser John Woodward, they have been overwhelmed by the enormous response they’ve received to this concept. “It was an absolute inspiration to see how keen people from all walks of life were to support breast cancer awareness. As The Wine Show Jo’burg is all about stripping the snobbery from wine, we thought it appropriate to ask entrants to bare it all in a tasteful interpretation of the theme. We were blown away by the level of creativity shown by the photographers and some of the entries were real works of art,” mentions Woodward.

Entries open this month and all keen photographers and models are invited to register by email to natalie@wineshow.co.za. An entry fee of R50 per photograph will be donated to www.cansa.org.za. The deadline for entries is 30 April 2010.

A WORLD OF WINE AT THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG
The 2010 edition of The Wine Show Jo’burg promises wine lovers a three-day wine spectacular at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate from Friday, 4 June to Sunday, 6 June 2010.  This year’s exhibitor line-up once again features the cream of the South African wine industry from award-winning estates, prominent producers, leading wine merchants and boutique wineries.

Visitors will be able to explore the fun side of wine, while sipping, sniffing and buying over 1500 different wines from approximately 250 producers.  The show will retain its success formula by following an informal, entertaining and educational approach to uncovering the mystery of wine.  Visitors will not only be able to interact with the various winemakers, but could also attend free tutored tastings in the Wine Theatre as well as food demonstrations and pairings by top chefs in the Friends for Dinner theatre.

According to show organiser John Woodward, the decision to move the venue to the Coca-Cola Dome was made after careful consideration and audience research.  “As we have an extremely interactive relationship with our show visitors, we conducted a survey and found absolutely no resistance from previous visitors to the venue change.  In fact, many respondents actually showed a preference to the Dome as it is more centrally located.  The Dome has also become a very popular events venue and has recently hosted many international music concerts and shows, which has made it familiar to visitors.  The additional space will also add to the general ambience of the show with no congestion at the stands and ample space to browse,” mentions Woodward.

With three months to go, stands are already limited and visitors can once again expect a bumper show.  Past exhibitors such as KWV, Nederburg and The Company of Wine People have already confirmed their participation, while newcomers such as Fleur du Cap, Zonnebloem and Solms-Delta will certainly appeal to show visitors.  The show also presents wine novices and connoisseurs with an opportunity to discover hidden gems from as far afield as Calitzdorp, Tulbagh and Elim under one roof.  Olives and olive products, cheese, oysters, sushi as well as wine accessories complete the scintillating line-up awaiting visitors.
Tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person from March.  Weekend passes are available at R140 per person. 

Secure parking is available at the venue.  For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za.  

Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                           NOVEMBER 2009

THE WINE SHOW LAUNCHES OWN WEBSITE

Organisers of The Wine Show Jo’burg have taken another step to bring wine alive by launching their own internet-based magazine Wine Extra in December. The e-zine goes live on 8 December and promises wine lovers a fun, informal insight into the world of wine.

According to John Woodward, Wine Extra is set to cause a revolution in the wine industry. “Our experience at The Wine Show has indicated that most wine consumers are intimidated by the formality and snobbery often found in the industry. Our research has shown that consumers are looking to learn more about wine, but in a vibrant, entertaining and sometimes even irreverent way. By launching this website, we are planning on doing just that,” mentions Woodward.

The fresh and vibrant editorial content of Wine Extra will feature wine reviews, exciting happenings in the winelands, commentary from top sommeliers and the latest industry news and developments, but none by professional journalists. The witty editorial content will revolve around the insights provided by The Taste Team - a group of six individuals picked not for their wine knowledge, but for their love of wine. The Taste Team is given regular taste tasks and supply their honest opinions about various wines they’ve tasted. This type of unbiased wine reviews should appeal to a broad audience of wine lovers as The Taste Team focuses on their personal impressions of a wine. Amateur wine enthusiast Maryna Strachan keeps her finger on the pulse of what’s hot in the winelands, while sommeliers Jorg Pfutzner and Mia Martensson tackle often controversial issues facing the wine industry.

Woodward further explains that the website also presents the perfect opportunity to stay in touch with show visitors. “We're the only show that provides a platform for exhibitors to continually market and communicate with all show visitors throughout the year and not just the 3 days of the show. For the past four years, we have actively gathered data from our visitors to ascertain their likes and requirements. Wine Extra will therefore be an additional communication forum targeted at our existing database of over 9000 show visitors, which represent the highest visitor spend in the industry ,” says Woodward.
For more information, visit www.wine-extra.co.za.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                           18 MAY 2009

THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG DELIVERS BOOST FOR BREAST CANCER

Organisers of The Wine Show Jo’burg and Getpix Images have been overwhelmed by the support from the local modelling and photographic community for their Wine Laid Bare photographic competition. The competition was launched as a fundraising event for breast cancer awareness and will culminate with an exhibition of the top entries during this year’s show at Gallagher Convention Centre from Friday, 29 May to Sunday, 31 May.

According to show organiser John Woodward, the show has made a commitment to social responsibility and each year selects a cause to benefit. “As The Wine Show Jo’burg is about stripping away the snobbery traditionally attached to the wine industry, we came up with the concept of Wine Laid Bare. We thought that it might be an interesting concept to see various artists’ interpretation of the theme and were absolutely overawed by the response. Top photographers, models and ordinary men and women from around the country were inspired by this very important cause and the level of creativity of the entries was unbelievable,” mentions Woodward.

Hundreds of photographs were submitted via Getpix Images and each submission was accompanied by a donation to CANSA. The twelve top entries will be selected by a panel of professional photographers in conjunction with members of the PSSA and will be published in a calendar, which will go on sale at the show. All proceeds raised will be donated to breast cancer organisations. A large exhibition area has been allocated to feature a selection of the top entries during the show.

According to the convener of judges Paula Rutherford, the diversity and ingenuity of the submitted photographs for the Wine Laid Bare competition was brilliant. “While some of the photographers used their creative juices within the studio environment, others dared the outdoors with exquisite body forms, resulting in cleverly obscured more sensitive body parts. The theme ‘’Wine Laid Bare’’ was indeed aptly and cleverly conveyed in all of the images. The judges definitely have their work cut out for them and will be looking for originality combined with classy style,” mentions Rutherford.

The Wine Laid Bare photo exhibition will be one of many points of interest at The Wine Show Jo’burg. For more information on fabulous food, wine and entertainment, visit www.wineshow.co.za.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                           6 MAY 2009

TOP JOCK TO COOK UP A STORM AT THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG

94.7 Highveld radio host and television presenter Jeremy Mansfield will be cooking up a storm during the 2009 edition of The Wine Show Jo’burg in association with The Star. Gauteng’s highest profile consumer wine show once again promises to be fun, educational and entertaining and is taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre from Friday, 29 May to Sunday, 31 May.

Mansfield will team up with head chef Jonathan Duiker from Melrose Arch to entertain the crowds in the Friends for Dinner Theatre and will be showcasing some mouthwatering recipes from his cook-book Zhoozsh! Theatre guests can expect loads of laughs with Mansfield’s fun and frivolous approach to cooking as he demonstrates from dishes inspired by his world travels.

Mansfield is currently the presenter of 94.7 Highveld Stereo’s The Rude Awakening breakfast show and has become a household name throughout the country as host of the MNet comedy series Laugh out Loud. Well-known for his sharp wit and outgoing personality, Mansfield’s session in the theatre on Saturday, 30 May, from 18h00, can be expected to be a laugh a minute. Theatre seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so early arrival is advised. Mansfield will also be signing copies of his cookbook after the session.

According to show organiser, John Woodward, Mansfield’s participation at the dinner theatre forms part of the massive marketing campaign launched to entice wine novices and wine lovers to attend the liveliest wine event on the calendar. “Our show is all about the exploration and discovery of wine in a fun, informal atmosphere. Our 2008 attendance figures have shown that 36% of the show visitors had not attended a wine show before and were drawn to the unique format of the show. We felt it appropriate to link up with 94.7 Highveld Stereo as we felt that there was a huge correlation between our consumer profile and their listeners. Jeremy’s sense of fun will fit the ambience of the show, which is aimed at stripping away the snobbishness that normally surrounds wine,” said Woodward.

Explore the fascinating world of wine with more than 150 of South Africa’s top wine producers offering their wines for tasting and for sale. The Wine Theatre will host free tutored tastings presented by some of the top winemakers in the country, while visitors can explore the fine art of food and wine pairing with celebrity chefs in the Friends for Dinner Theatre. Tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes are available at R140/person. Secure parking available. For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za. Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                           APRIL 2009

TOP CHEF IN ACTION AT THE WINE SHOW JO'BURG

Visitors to the 2009 edition of The Wine Show Jo'burg in association with The Star can look forward to exploring the world of wine, while also uncovering culinary secrets presented by leading local chefs. From Friday, 29 May, to Sunday, 31 May, Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand will be transformed into a virtual food and wine paradise with more than 200 top wine producers offering their ranges and exciting gourmet sessions being hosted in the Friends for Dinner Theatre.

Jonathan Duiker, head chef of the 5-star Melrose Arch Hotel, is leading the culinary line-up and will team up with several top estates to offer food and wine pairing sessions that promise to tantalise the taste buds. In conjunction with producers such as Arumdale, Bilton, Helderberg wineries, Saronsberg and the Chenin Blanc Association, Duiker will create palate-pleasing tasters to accompany the various wines.

These tasting samples will vary from canapés to risottos, while still maintaining Duiker's signature cuisine style of contemporary classic with a hint of fusion. As one of the youngest chefs heading up a local 5-star hotel kitchen in the country, Duiker has built his reputation on re-inventing classic dishes by adding a unique twist of international flavours and local inspiration. This is an ideal opportunity to get some red-hot entertaining tips and to discover the limitless opportunities of food and wines.

Debi van Flyman of Culinary Productions will be joining the Cape Wine Academy for an insightful session that will teach visitors clever tricks for spectacular entertaining on a tight budget. The sessions "Entertaining with wine and food for today's tough times" will be hosted daily during the show and will offer sure-fire tips to beat the credit crunch.

For a visually vibrant and completely different approach to entertaining, don't miss the Sushi & Cocktails sessions presented by Maki on the Move and Thirst Bar Services. The super-talented flairing barmen will teach theatre goers exciting cocktail mixing moves, while Maki sushi chefs will reveal some spectacular sushi tricks.

The Friends for Dinner Theatre has a capacity for approximately 90 people per 45-minute sessions. Entry to theatre sessions is included in your show ticket. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so early arrival is advised. For a schedule of theatre sessions, visit www.wineshow.co.za.

Show tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes are available at R140/person. Secure parking available. For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za. Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

MASSIVE MARKETING PLATFORM FOR THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG

This year, exhibitors at The Wine Show Jo’burg will benefit from an aggressive marketing campaign created by the organisers of the event. A substantial investment has been made to target an audience of approximately 5-million Gauteng consumers during the run-up to the show.

According to event organiser John Woodward, this investment aims to bring wine to the streets of Gauteng through a high impact through-the-line advertising and promotions campaign. “We have concentrated our line of attack on strategic placements in key newspapers and radio stations with a combined audience of over 3,4-million listeners and readers, which will be supplemented by a strong outdoor positioning through posters and billboards in high traffic areas, which see more than 1,6-million passing cars on a daily basis. In addition, we have also built crucial media partnerships to ensure that our exhibitors benefit from exposure in key upcountry markets. This guarantees that our exhibitors have access to potential show visitors even before the three-day wine extravaganza kicks off on Friday, 29 May,” mentions Woodward.

The Wine Show Jo’burg will be hosted at the Gallagher Convention Centre Midrand from 29 – 31 May. The 2008 edition of this fun, educational and interactive event drew more than 8000 visitors over one weekend and generated sales in excess of R2-million. With only a limited number of stands still available, organisers are urging potential exhibitors to book now to capitalise on this opportunity to capture the lucrative Gauteng market.

Tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes are available at R140/person. Secure parking available. For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za. Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

FORMER BOKS BACK IN ACTION AT THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG

Visitors to The Wine Show Jo’burg in association with The Star can look forward to exploring a world of wine, while also meeting some legendary Springbok rugby players from Friday, 29 May to Sunday, 31 May at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand.  Former Springbok greats Hempies du Toit of Annandale, Schalk Burger Sr of Welbedacht and Jan Boland Coetzee of Vriesenhof will entertain the crowds during their sessions in the Wine Theatre. 

The former Boks turned award-winning winemakers will regale the audience with tales of their illustrious rugby careers, while also exploring their successes in the wine industry.   The impressive trio will be joined by former British Lion and rugby commentator John Robbie in the role of interviewer.  Robbie’s acerbic wit is bound to be on display while he digs for interesting and embarrassing tales from their pasts.

On the Touchline will be presented on Saturday, 30 May, from 14h00 – 14h45 and on Sunday, 31 May, from 15h30 -16h15.  Last year’s sessions drew capacity audiences and early arrival is advised.  Seating for these sessions is on a first come, first serve basis.

The three rugby legends will also have a combined stand showcasing their latest vintages.  Amongst the wines available for tasting and purchase will be the legendary Annandale Shiraz and Port, some of Vriesenhof’s classic Pinot Noirs as well as the latest releases from Welbedacht.

Tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person.  Weekend passes are available at R140/person.  Secure parking available.  For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za.   Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

MEDIA RELEASE MARCH 2009

UNRIVALLED EXPERIENCE BEHIND SUCCESS OF THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG

With over two months still to go to the start of The Wine Show Jo’burg, organisers are urging potential exhibitors to act quickly to secure their spots at the liveliest wine event in the country. Exhibition space has been almost completely sold out for the three-day wine extravaganza, which will be hosted at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from Friday, 29 May, to Sunday, 31 May.

According to event organiser Alex Woodward, the success of the show can be attributed to the unrivalled experience of the team behind it. “Although we are a relatively small team, we can boast with unsurpassed skills in terms of event management. Precision planning and flawless execution ensures satisfied exhibitors and show visitors and that is the reason why exhibitors flock back each year,” mentions Woodward.

The company’s skills base includes vast international knowledge of event management gained at some of the world’s biggest events, including prestigious global golfing events such as the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and Johnnie Walker Classic, European concerts for Tina Turner, Bon Jovi and Sting as well as the annual Rockefeller Centre Xmas Tree Lighting ceremony in New York City. “Our team has had complete exposure to all aspects of business and have amassed a global ability to put on exhilarating events. The fact that we are also perfectly in tune with our customers and deliver beyond expectations has been a key factor in the skyrocketing growth of The Wine Show Jo’burg,” explains Woodward.

Tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes are available at R140/person. Secure parking available. For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za. Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

MEDIA RELEASE FEBRUARY 2009

TIME TRAVEL POSSIBLE AT THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG

It is often said that a glass of wine can transport the drinker back to the very time and place the grapes were growing. Each grape presents a unique “time capsule” capturing the air, sunshine, rain and energy from the vineyard and the year in which it grew.

Wine connoisseurs can look forward to a rare treat during The Wine Show Jo’burg, which will be staged at the Gallagher Convention Centre from 29 – 31 May. Internationally trained sommelier Jörg Pfützner will present an exclusive tasting session featuring superlative vintages from around the world from Spain to France, across to Germany and Ukraine and then down to South Africa.

According to show organiser John Woodward, the tasting will let participants travel a hundred years back in time. “Can you picture going back to 1909 to taste Armagnac from the year Errol Flynn was born? How about savouring an iconic wine from grapes grown in the Ukraine while Hitler’s tanks rolled East through Poland in 1939? Maybe a Meursault from 1969, the year Concorde had its first test flight, Richard Nixon entered the White House and the summer of love, which saw the legendary Woodstock Festival? This once-in-a-lifetime event promises to guide the audience to some of the most auspicious dates in our recent history,” explains Woodward.

Aptly called The Whole Nine Yards, the tasting will be a virtual journey through the world of wine during the past century. According to Pfützner, the tasting celebrates the significance of the number 9 in winemaking history. “During extensive research I have discovered that this auspicious number has consistently been a good omen as almost all of the vintages, which ended in nine, are deemed quite remarkable. For centuries, the number has achieved an ancient mystery and is widely considered to represent harmony and aspiration. With it being 2009, we decided to compile a list of nine really exceptional wines from top producers around the world and place them in context of history. Vintages date back as far as 1909 and also include a wine produced during the legendary 1919 vintage,” explains Pfützner.

Show organiser John Woodward describes the tasting as a supremely rare opportunity for wine and history lovers alike. “How often does anyone get the chance to taste the exact same wines likely to have been on the list at Al Capone’s favourite haunts or the exact Burgundies Wall Street tycoons would have been crying into during the Great Crash? It is a unique chance for South African wine lovers to enjoy arguably some of the most dynamic wines in the world,” mentions Woodward.

The wines included in this exclusive tasting span the globe with high profile labels from France, Spain, Germany, Ukraine and South Africa. The tasting will start off with a classic 1999 Louis Roederer Cristal champagne. The various French wine appellations are strongly represented in the exquisite line-up with a 1949 Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Huet from the French Loire Valley, the iconic 1919 Corton Hotel St Petersburg from Burgundy as well as a 1969 Meursault Charmes Leroy Pinot Noir from the Bourgogne region and a 1929 Cos d’Estournel from Bordeaux. Germany is represented by a 1979 Dr Loosen Riesling, while South Africa makes a proud entrance with the 1989 Kanonkop Pinotage. A 1959 Marques de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay was selected to represent this renowned Spanish wine region while the 1939 Massandra Gurzuf Rose Muscat from the Ukraine completes the line-up. A 1909 Armagnac will be served as the grand finale to this journey through time and wine.

The Whole Nine Yards will be presented in the Wine Theatre on Friday, 29 May, at 19h00. Tickets cost R8,900 per person (VAT inclusive) and include full weekend passes to The Wine Show. Numbers are limited and booking is essential. For bookings and more information, e-mail natalie@wineshow.co.za. Tickets for this exclusive tasting are NOT available via Computicket.

Show tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes are available at R140/person. Secure parking available. For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za. Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

MEDIA RELEASE  FEBRUARY 2009

WINE LAID BARE

It’s tantalising, it’s naughty, it’s playful and it’s definitely going to be a lot of fun!

The Wine Show Jo’burg in association with The Star is baring it all this year with a brand new initiative in aid of charity.  Event organisers in conjunction with Getpix Images & Photographic Academy have launched a photographic competition themed Wine Laid Bare and all entry fees will be donated to breast cancer awareness.

According to organiser John Woodward, the theme was in keeping with the philosophy of the show.  “The Wine Show Jo’burg is about stripping away all the snobbery and pretentiousness surrounding wine.  We were looking for a way to portray the fun and relaxed ambiance that has become the signature of this event and realised that the spirit of the show would be captured best in visual format.  Once we embarked on that line of thought, the appeal of a photographic competition was evident,” mentions Woodward.

Each year, the three-day wine extravaganza adopts a non-profit organisation as a beneficiary of the show’s social responsibility campaign.  All funds raised through the competition will be used in aid of breast cancer awareness and prevention.  The best images will be exhibited at the show and the 12 finalists will also be published in a calendar, which will go on sale at the Show with all proceeds going to breast cancer charity. 

The organisers were overwhelmed by the public response they had from women from across the country, who volunteered to act as models in promotional images for the charity contest in support of such a good cause.  “When we started looking for would-be models, we were literally inundated with messages of support.  We even had some professional models offering to waive their fees if we make a donation in their name to breast cancer prevention,” explains Woodward.

The competition is open to all amateur and professional photographers.  Entries can be submitted online at www.getpix.co.za or www.wineshow.co.za from Monday, 2 March 2009.  An entry fee of R50 will be charged and this will be handled electronically at the time of entry submission.

The subsequent calendars will be sold from the Getpix stand at The Wine Show for R100, with all proceeds going to breast cancer charities. 

For more information, click to www.wineshow.co.za

MEDIA RELEASE JANUARY 2009

WINE FUN AT THE WINE SHOW JO’BURG

The Wine Show Jo’burg in association with The Star is set to wow Gauteng crowds with a virtual A - Z of the South African wine industry represented at this year’s event. The three-day wine extravaganza takes place at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand from Friday, 29 May, to Sunday, 31 May and promises to be the liveliest event on the 2009 wine calendar.

Events organisers are urging potential exhibitors to confirm their stands as soon as possible as more than 70% of the available exhibition stands have already been sold and reserved. “Due to the unique format of the show, we strictly limit the number of stands to ensure that show visitors have an opportunity to explore the world of wine at leisure. The success of previous shows were attributed to the fact that visitors can browse, taste and buy wines in an informal and relaxed atmosphere, where there is enough space for personal interaction with the winemakers. This makes the whole wine experience much more fun and educational,” explains event organiser John Woodward.

According to Woodward, this year’s show will be attended by a wide range of wine producers representing most of South Africa’s wine regions. “Exhibitors will range from small boutique wineries, historic wine estates, garagistes, wine routes, wine merchants, big cellars and some of the most renowned wine labels in the country. Once again, we’ve seen a huge percentage of repeat exhibitors, many of whom are substantially increasing the stand sizes for this year. For example, our single largest exhibitor from 2008 has booked 30% additional space for 2009 and will be showcasing 21 of their top clients. We’ve also signed a number of new exhibitors, including Hermanuspietersfontein, Ken Forrester, KWV, Nederburg, Tokara and Zevenwacht,” mentions Woodward.

Statistics from previous shows have indicated that the exhibitor diversity and interactive opportunities at The Wine Show Jo’burg appeal to both wine novices and wine connoisseurs. Exhibitors on the other hand view it as a great return on investments as the show generates the highest spend per visitor of any wine show in the country, which makes visitors the most attractive audience to be targeted for product sampling during the show.

Visitors to this year’s show can once again uncover the mystery of wine in the Wine Theatre where top winemakers and wine experts will present free tutored tastings, while top chefs will teach the art of food and wine pairing at the Friends for Dinner Theatre.

Tickets are available at the door for R95 per person or from Computicket for R90 per person. Weekend passes are available at R140/person. Secure parking available. For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za. Show times: 17h00-21h00 on Friday, 12h00-21h00 on Saturday and 12h00-18h00 on Sunday.

For more information, contact Ronelda Visser on 083 2733984.

MEDIA RELEASE - SEPTEMBER 2008

2009 JOBURG WINE SHOW WINNING ALL THE WAY

Organisers of The Jo’burg Wine Show are expecting a bumper edition for the 2009 event as they are being inundated by queries from potential exhibitors. The three-day wine extravaganza is scheduled for the weekend of 29-31 May 2009 at Gallagher Convention Centre.

With more than eight months to go, organisers have been delighted with the response from exhibitors and more than fifty percent of the available exhibition space has already been sold. According to John Woodward of event organisers Highwood Exhibitions, the verdict on the show’s success is definitely in. “It is really wonderful to see the positive reaction that we’ve received from the entire industry following this year’s achievements. We’ve already had a phenomenal response from this year’s exhibitors and 80% have already committed to the 2009 event and paid their deposits. This is an absolute affirmation that our exhibitors enjoyed the unique appeal of The Jo’burg Wine Show and prefer the interactive and personalised format of the show to that of the mega-tasting approach of our competitors. The fact that bookings are doing so well is testament to the fact that exhibitors are convinced that the show delivers a great return on investment and allows them to access a highly lucrative audience of wine drinkers,” explains organiser John Woodward.

The 2008 version of this event saw close to 8000 visitors streaming through the doors and sales volumes exceeded R2-million. This novel approach to wine education and promotion saw more than 80% of visitors buying wines at the show.
“Repeat business is always an encouraging sign and not only have exhibitors returned in significant numbers, but they have also indicated that they would like to increase their exhibition space for the next show. However, we’ve also already signed some major new deals with significant players in the local wine industry such as KWV, who has already confirmed their participation both as an exhibitor and as a major contributor to the educational component of the next show,” mentions Woodward.

One of the country’s leading daily newspapers The Star has also renewed their involvement as media partners for the 2009 event. Based on the quality of visitors attending this year’s show, the publication has committed itself to a significant increase in pre-show exposure and editorial support.

For more information, click to www.wineshow.co.za.