WOSA Grand Tasting Zimbabwe 2018
On 27 October 2018 the 1st Edition of The Grand Tasting Zimbabwe concluded successfully in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Echoing its glorious pedigree since 1904, The Victoria Falls Hotel offered a five-star experience of pure grandeur for the first WOSA Training and Tasting in the area. As a regional event for Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe The Grand Tasting attracted key trade players to receive Wine Education and sample an array of South African wine during the exhibition. A total of 3 pre-events where hosted prior to the main trade day which included a Wine Training, Press Brief and Cocktail for Exhibitors, distributors and purchasing personnel.
The feedback received from exhibitors and visitors to the inaugural event has been overwhelmingly positive. Exhibitors have reported a high-quality audience, with key decision makers from the trade attending. The trade has embraced this event and its relevance to the market and welcome regular wine education and dinners. The grand tasting offered diversity and discovery, which was delivered across the board in terms of content, exhibitors and audience.
The stage is set for 2019, where exhibitors and trade look forward to participating and experiencing new features and content already being planned. The venue has been provisionally booked for the second edition from the 24th to 26th October 2019
250 guests from Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe were invited to attend a grand tasting and 186 of those guests were in attendance. Invitations sent covered mainly wine distributors and retail, hospitality executives and proprietors. Other invited guests included facilitators of the wines trade represented by banks, national revenue authorities and logistics companies (including airlines and clearing agents).
Day 1, 26 October 2018
The Wine Training was held in the Pullman suite which accommodated 26 attendees drawn from Lodges, Hotels and Independent restaurants. The 5-hour training course was well received, and post event feedback indicates that there is a huge appetite for regular wine training for people in the trade as well as individuals. The training was co- sponsored by the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe, WOSA, Boschendal, Stables Wineries and facilitated by Under the Influence (UTI).
The training was followed by a press conference where 5 Media Houses were invited to engage with WOSA Representative and a handful of the wine farms in attendance. The press conference was a good platform for the Press to ask questions and develop a good understanding Brands South Africa, the role of WOSA and the aim of the event. Press invited and attended;
- ZTV – screened on the main national news
- Chronicle newspaper
- Newsday/ Vic Falls 24
- Southern Eye
- Breeze FM
- Travel Africa
- Other invited but attended the grand tasting – Standard Newspaper, Nzira Travel Magazine
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The team had an opportunity appear on Breeze FM Drive time show between 17:00 and 17:30. This airtime awarded Matome, Evan and Nico a platform to talk more about the upcoming event and encourage invited guests to attend. Listener’s sent in questions and the panel had an opportunity to educate the audience about South African wine.
Sponsored by the Victoria Falls Hotel, the cocktail evening brought together the Wine Exhibiters and key trade players to meet directly to discuss potential business prior to the main event. This function was a great way to network and build positive business relationships. This event is a great opportunity to for Exhibitors to meet and discuss with the main distributors and procurement agents and create linkages.
Day 2, 27 October 2018 The Grand Tasting
Nestled in attractive gardens with view of the spray of the falls,186 guests attended the Grand Tasting at the Jungle Junction Garden, a venue that offered privacy and breathtaking views of The Victoria Falls Bridge. With the increased interest from both the press and the trade the Grand Tasting provided a great opportunity to increase the visibility of Brands South Africa and gave a platform to showcase South African Wine to curious and interested consumers.
