Don’t wine if you miss exhibiting at the TOPS at SPAR Wine Show!

Thursday, 16 May, 2019
TOPS at SPAR Wine Show
The TOPS at SPAR Wine Show kicked off to a magnificent start in Durban this weekend, delivering more visitors to exhibitors, more exhibitors to visitors, and a jam-packed show full of quality brands, fascinating content and a spectacular new venue.

SA’s largest travelling wine show promises to gain momentum as it tours through six more cities throughout South Africa. Over 4600 wine-lovers attended the Durban event – the highest number recorded in Durban to date– 47% of whom had attended last year’s event. More than 60 established wine brands were showcased, reflecting a massive 63% growth in the number of stands.

The Durban opening day recorded the most visitors in the history of the show, with the RASA  Neighbourhood Awards evening attracting over 150 hospitality industry representatives. The Friday and Saturday numbers were the highest recorded in the history of the Durban show.

Quality stood out at this year’s show, with content partners such as the Old Vine Project, the South African Winetasting Championships, Jon Meinking’s #SAWineShowcase, the Wine Label Design Awards by Rotolabel, Platter’s Wine Guide, the VinPro Foundation, Proudly South African, and the DTI adding their credibility to the mix. The SPAR Group’s Private Label, Olive Brook, showcased their two new ranges, Everyday and Terroir, in a talk on ‘Complex but not Confusing’ in the 80-seater wine theatre.

In the revamped VIP Lounge featuring wines from Vinesse, the food and wine pairing was professionally executed under the expert guidance of the Sommeliers Association of South Africa, offering visitors a refined and elegant breathing space.

The TOPS at SPAR Wine Show celebrates its 13-year anniversary this year, boasting impressive year-on-year growth.

“In a depressed economy we were delighted to see major growth in exhibitor and consumer numbers. A strong event in 2018 translated into a solid foundation of repeat business.  When coupled with a well-executed marketing programme and fabulous revamped entertainment precinct and event venue at Suncoast, we were well positioned for a strong start to our 2019 tour,” said Andrew Douglas, Owner and Producer of The Wine Show.

 “Attracting a wine buying market remains our priority and with over 92% of visitors having bought wine, we exceeded our expectations in this regard,” says Debbie Combrink, recently appointed CEO of the TOPS at SPAR Wine Show.

The Durban event was Combrink’s debut show, having joined the company as CEO in September last year. She comments, “I am immensely proud of the results we achieved in Durban, which cement our status as the premier wine event in Durban, and of the team who worked tirelessly and innovatively to achieve them. We’ve taken the show from good to great, and with a focus on improved standards I am looking forward to taking the Joburg show at Montecasino to new heights next month.” 

Raymond Noppé, Assistant Sales Manager of Kanonkop, one of the many leading brands that participated in the show, says, “The venue was top class and the overall organisation was faultless. I appreciated the fact that there was ample parking, easy access, visible security and air conditioning! All three days were very popular, so even the advertising campaign was on point.”

After Durban, the WINEderland Tour moves on to Johannesburg from 6 to 8 June, Cape Town from 11 to 13 July, Port Elizabeth from 25 to 27 July, Pretoria from 3 to 5 October, East London from 7 to 9 November, ending off in Nelspruit from 28 to 30 November.

For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za. To book your stand for Nelspruit, Pretoria or East London or to be waitlisted for Joburg, Cape Town or Port Elizabeth, go to https://wineshow.co.za/become-an-exhibitor/.

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Andre Morgenthal from the Old Vines Project
Andre Morgenthal from the Old Vines Project

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