By Lucy Waldron
Wine lovers, growers, and producers from across the country gathered in Stanthorpe, Queensland’s Granite Belt Wine Country, for the 2024 Australia Saperavi Producers Symposium on 6 and 7 September.
The event brought together experts and enthusiasts to celebrate and explore the growing popularity of the ancient Saperavi wine variety.
The Georgian Ambassador to Australia, Mr Beka Dvali, attended the event, presenting awards and sharing insights into the rich history of Saperavi. Fresh from the Saperavi International 2024 show in Tbilisi, Georgia, Mr Dvali expressed his excitement, highlighting the deep cultural connections between Georgia and Australia.
“When I arrived in Australia a year and a half ago, I was keen to explore what connects our two nations, and I discovered two main things: wine and rugby,” Mr Dvali said.
“Georgia has an uninterrupted winemaking tradition that dates back 8000 years.
“It’s a part of who we are, intertwined with our culture and history.”
The symposium, held at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism, spanned two days. The first day, Friday, featured the Saperavi Producer’s Symposium, offering industry insights into the production of this unique variety. The day concluded with a conference dinner at the College’s Varias Restaurant.
On Saturday, the event opened to the public, offering free tastings of Saperavi wines from various Australian regions. Wine enthusiasts were given the opportunity to learn more about this rapidly growing variety and interact with producers.
Mr Dvali expressed his admiration for Australia’s wine industry, particularly the growth of Saperavi production.
“I am thrilled to see how well-developed Saperavi wine production has become here,” he said.
“The quality of wines in Australia is exceptional, and I look forward to further strengthening the ties between our wine cultures.”
The symposium was a celebration not only of wine but also of the shared passion for viticulture that connects Australia and Georgia. Mr Dvali expressed hope that the event would mark the beginning of long-lasting friendships and collaborations between the two nations.
“I hope that our visit to this region is the first, but not the last,“ he said.
“Our friendships that started today will continue, and we shall meet in different forums and contexts.“
