“The collection allows for local wineries to be exposed to a wide variety of Australian and international attendees, with 93 varieties of wine available.”
This December, the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC) will make its debut on the city’s popular Darling Harbour on Cockle Bay (a mere 25-minute drive from Sydney Airport). The convention center will be an impressive 270,000 sf—featuring Australia’s largest ballroom and an 8,000-seat arena—or essentially enough space to host three separate, concurrent events. Most notably for the region, however, will be the launch of the convention center’s inaugural wine collection, featuring local New South Wales varieties.
The collection allows for local wineries to be exposed to a wide variety of Australian and international attendees, with 93 varieties of wine available—80 percent of which have been sourced from local wine producers. The convention center’s Beverage Operations and Cellar Manager William Wilson, a long-time sommelier, developed the collection of local suppliers after tasting more than 1,000 labels from more than 300 wineries.
“ICC Sydney is committed to partnering with small and large regional producers to encourage the growth of wineries and local jobs,” says Wilson. “A number of impressive vintages from across the state really shone through during the tasting, with the Hunter Valley, Orange, Riverina and Mudgee among some of the most fruitful regions.”
According to the Hon. Stuart Ayres, minister for trade tourism and major events, up to 200,000 bottles of wine could be served annually at a variety of exhibitions, conventions and entertainment events. This will help ensure jobs for regional New South Wales, while providing attendees with a local culinary experience without ever having to leave the convention center—a win-win for this massive new convention playground.
