AFFW ‘Next Gens’ Tour with New Zealand’s Family of Twelve

New Zealand’s Family of Twelve has invited Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW) to participate in a three-day tour, starting October 13. The tour will be an educational trip for 19 of AFFW’s ‘Next Gens’, building on the shared values of both AFFW and the Family of Twelve to promote premium wine on the local and world  stages.

Participants will begin the tour with a visit to Glengarry Wines on Thursday night, the largest family-owned liquor retailer in New Zealand, joined by the Family of Twelve members and local wine lovers. At Glengarry, they will be invited to taste and talk about the variations of flavours that come from the regions across both sides of the Tasman.

Friday will be spent exploring the wineries around Auckland, as Family of Twelve members Villa Maria and Kumeu River host the Next Gens for a number of structured wine tastings. Highlights will include a premium Chardonnay masterclass with Michael Brajkovich, a Master of Wine.    

Karen Fistonich, Chairperson of Villa Maria Estate, will also be hosting a talk on ‘Women in Wine’. Participants will travel to Blenheim in the Marlborough on Saturday and Sunday, visiting Fromm Winery and Lawson’s Dry Hills to learn about solids, organics and viticulture.

A tasting of premium wines from all of the Family of Twelve hosted by Neudorf’s winemaker, Todd Stevens, will round off the tour.

AFFW Chairman, Robert Hill-Smith from Yalumba has expressed support for the tour, stating, “The choice to travel across the Tasman, to develop the ‘Next Gens’ knowledge and give them exposure to the terroir and varietals of New Zealand is an amazing opportunity.”

Family of Twelve immediate past Chair, William Hoare from Fromm Winery in Marlborough agreed. “The opportunity to engage with AFFW’s ‘Next Gens’, will provide all of us with the platform to share information, knowledge and stories,” said Hoare.

“I imagine by the time the tour is over, AFFW’s ‘Next Gens’ will have formed some long lasting bonds with the Family of Twelve that they will carry forward with them as Australia’s family wine business leaders of the future.”

Australia’s First Families of Wine are:

Brown Brothers, Campbells, d’Arenberg, De Bortoli, Henschke Wines, Howard Park, Jim Barry Wines, McWilliam’s Wines, Tahbilk, Taylors, Tyrrells and Yalumba. 11 of the 12 families will be represented on the New Zealand tour.

New Zealand’s Family of Twelve are:

Ata Rangi, Craggy Range, Felton Road, Fromm Winery, Kumeu River, Lawson’s Dry Hills, Milton Vineyards, Nautilus Estate,Palliser Estate, Neudorf Vineyards, Pegasus Bay and Villa Maria.

(You may also be interested in Dan Murphy’s Taking Pre-Orders on 2012 Penfolds Grange)

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