Photo: Bon Appetit
Producers of The Wine Show, South Africa’s largest and most loved touring consumer wine event, are pleased to announce they’ll be “getting the show back on the road” in 2023.
In 2019 The Wine Show welcomed in excess of 30,000 wine enthusiasts across 7 major metros providing up to 250 wine producers and brand owners with unparalleled opportunities to connect with a wine-loving public.
Show owner Southern Skies Investment Holdings (Southern Skies) is equally delighted to confirm that CyberCellar, SA’s No1 wine e-commerce retailer, has been named as title partner for the event replacing longstanding sponsor TOPS at SPAR. CyberCellar was recently acquired by Southern Skies.
The event will be officially named the CyberCellar Wine Show and consumers and brand owners alike can look forward to a reimagined, tech-enabled, more lifestyle focussed event concept that will include a host of new and enticing wine experiences.
The CyberCellar Wine Show will capitalise on Southern Skies's direct-to-customer modus operandi by delivering exhibitors with the opportunity to engage and procure a new audience and customer base. Brand owners need not be listed on CyberCellar to participate.
Group managing director of Southern Skies, Andrew Douglas, says: “Now into our 18th year, we are excited for the show to re-emerge 'post-pandemic' to bring the very best of the Cape Winelands to a national audience of wine lovers. Even though our business is firmly focussed on 'wine online' and unlocking the direct-to-customer channel for wine producers, we firmly believe that 'liquid to lips' still presents the most effective opportunity for brands to build meaningful, lasting relationships with consumers.”
Douglas goes on to say, “Now more than ever before the South African wine industry needs to get back in front of the wine consumer. 2023 will be a time to reconnect with these customers, tell your stories face-to-face and differentiate your brand.”
Leading the CyberCellar Wine Show team will be culinary and cultural event impresario Hardy McQueen. As the events producer, Hardy will be responsible for developing and delivering a new event concept as well as the implementation of fresh, innovative ideas around engagement, audience development, culture, and social impact.
McQueen says: “I’m thrilled to take on this new role, building on the legacy of The Wine Show and further extending the opportunity for immersive engagement between consumers and wine producers. As part of the new direction we will focus on building a strong diverse audience from across the country and region.”
2023 Dates and venues to be announced. For more information, please contact hello@wineshow.co.za.
About The Wine Show
Established in 2006, The Wine Show has grown to become South Africa’s largest and most loved try-and-buy wine event in South Africa.
In 2019 The Wine Show toured to 7 of SA’s major metros including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit and East London. The event provides a platform for up to 250 Wine Producers to reach a wine loving consumer audience of 30,000 per annum.
Visit www.wineshow.co.za for more information.
About CyberCellar
Founded in 1998, CyberCellar is South Africa’s oldest online drinks retailer.
From exclusive new releases and expertly curated cases right through to your everyday value drink, CyberCellar’s got you covered with wine and spirits for every taste and occasion.
Visit www.cybercellar.com for more information.
About Southern Skies Investment Holdings
Southern Skies’ primary objective is to enable South African wine producers to sell wine direct-to-customer.
E-commerce technology, marketing & logistics are at the heart of the Southern Skies core capability. Southern Skies has acquired and/or founded a number of complementary businesses to support its DtC objective including wine.co.za, www.cellardirect.co.za, www.wineshow.co.za, www.cybercellar.co.za, www.oorskotwyn.co.za and www.vintelligence.co.za.
Visit www.ssih.co.za for more information.
About Hardy McQueen
Hardy has developed and executed consumer and brand events internationally across food and beverage, fashion, and music genres. He is a globally recognised subject matter expert on urban culture mapping and planning across the African continent.
Hardy is a graduate of the UCT GSB Business of Wine and recently launched his own wine brand under Nice Beverage Company, where he serves as founder-CEO.
Hardy writes as wine.co.za’s thought leader on the future for engaging a DEI audience. Here he shares ideas on community building, marketing, positioning, and strategy.